Blue Aconite
The veteran Brit-folk thrush's 1996 sophomore album is built around the impeccable taste in material and rich, weighty voice of its creator (think Christine McVie ofFleetwood Mac). Backed by a sympathetic folk-rock crew that includes her old boss,Richard Thompson, Collister mixes a couple of her own compositions into a smartly sequenced set that includes tunes from Thompson,Sam Phillips,Gillian Welch,Anna McGarrigle, andTom Waits. Worthy songs and a forceful, distinctive singer, when attached to the restrained, complementary arrangements found here, make for a winning combination.--Steven Stolder