This CD starts with Wayfaring Stranger. It's an arrangement that moves right along with a full background---but the immediate impact is the singer's voice. It's rich, strong, and it grabs your attention from the first second. (I think it's Kara Barnard, but I don't know these performers that well, and the notes don't indicate what the performers do on each track). That's just the beginning---the best parts are the original songs which make up the bulk of the tracks. Wide Sky is a short acapella harmony gem. Precious Ruby Reds and Morning Star offer great lyrics and melodies that bounce along on fun moving bass lines with nice shuffle rhythms. The arrangements strike a great balance--the melody and lyrics are never obscured, but the sound is always rich with elements that grow more and more interesting with repeated listening. The centerpiece for me is Dishpan Brigade. It's almost march-like in its steady bass line. The accompaniment is a rich amalgam of banjo, guitar and a chorus of clicking, shuffling rhythm-makers. The tune is good, but the lyrics are fascinating. The song is the story of Mother Jones, and so far as I can see, all the various details given in the lyrics are historically correct. Mother Jones was an important figure in the labor movement active from 1870 until her death (at age 100) in 1930, and the song celebrates her activities in supporting UMW strikes.

The entire content (lyric, music, as well as theme) is very original and brilliant.