Norma Waterson
Nothing in Waterson's long career could prepare the listener for this album. It's a masterpiece of folk rock, featuring the passionate geometry of Richard Thompson's and Martin Carthy's guitars, and the imaginative production of John Chelew. Like Daniel Lanois's work with Emmylou Harris and Bob Dylan, Chelew walks the line between ambient richness and bluesy edges, but it's the song selection and Norma's delivery that stuns. The Grateful Dead song "Black Muddy River" becomes a gorgeous hymn, the Billy Bragg penned "St. Swithin's Day" a folk pop gem, and the spiritual "Fountain of Christ's Blood" a beautiful mystery.  Brilliant from beginning to end.--Roy Frances Kasten