Rosewood & Steel
Rosewood & Steelhas Flower putting her own special spin on music by Junior Parker (Mystery Train), Charlie Patton (Pony Blues), Skip James (Cypress Grove Blues), and Brooks Berry (Can't Sleep For Dreaming), along with a bunch of originals. Geoff Muldaur, Amos Garrett, Steve James, and Paul Geremia all contribute to various songs. Flower's singing is rich and husky, and her originals exploit the various sides of her musical personality, from playful to dark and moody (check outCock-A-Doodle BluesandTwo Days Straight), and all but one slots in perfectly with the covers on this collection. HerMidnite Bluevaguely recalls CSN's4+20, with some gorgeous slide by Steve James, while she impresses and then some with her lap steel playing on the delightfulRoll On, Mississippi, Roll Onand Patton's searingPony Blues(which also features Geremia's slide). The real surprise isMystery Train, which gets about the slowest, most lyrical treatment ever on record here. --Bruce Eder, All Music Guide