Based in Santa Cruz, this is Allen’s first solo release, although she’s been playing for years. It used to be all blues she played, but now it’s rootsy music: folk, country, a bit of bluegrass and a touch of blues. Most songs are hers (except where noted). Her voice is simply beautiful, pure and magnetic. Instrumentation of guitar, bass, percussion, fiddle, mandolin, etc. No FCC’s.

*My Favorites*: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12.

1. *(2:51) Mid. Easy-going, bluesy with great guitar interludes, really nice vocal.
2. (3:22) Slow / Mid. Kate Wolf song. Mellow, sparse, understated slide guitar.
3. *(3:18) Mid. Song by Eddie and Billy Joe Shaver. Bluegrassy with soft drums, mandolin, harmonizing. Nice.
4. *(3:17) Mid. Upbeat, driving beat, fiddle, lap steel, harmonizing.
5. *(4:12) Slow. Townes Van Zandt song. Sparse with beautiful guitar and male vocal accompanying. Quite heartfelt.
6. (3:04) Slow / Mid. Mellow guitar, very soft and beautiful vocal.
7. *(2:37) Fast. Upbeat country blues, channeling a bit of the guitar and beat of Johnny Cash’s version of ‘I’ve Been Everywhere’. Killer.
8. (4:31) Mid. Soft, easy-going, with an eastern flair.
9. *(3:40) Slow / Mid. Great cello, mandolin, percussion. Dreamy and ethereal. Beautiful.
10. *(3:48) Mid. Bright percussion over a bit less-than-bright fiddle. Upbeat despite the lyrics.
11. (2:45) Slow / Mid. Features a nice, if a bit understated, harp.
12. *(3:02) Mid. Upbeat, with tambourine, vocals set back a bit, big chorus of voices, percussion, guitar, bass. Very cool.