JOEL HARRISON — Free Country (2003) WV (image+.cue), lossless

Guitarist Joel Harrison recorded a dozen songs associated with country music, some of them quite traditional, but he recast them in surprising ways, making the CD title of Free Country fit quite well. Sometimes his steel guitar pays respect to the melodies and at other times he freaks out a bit on his electric guitar. None of the vocalists are that outstanding, and an instrumental "This Land Is Your Land" receives a surprisingly downbeat rendition. Norah Jones sings "I Walk The Line" and "Tennessee Waltz" quite straight, revealing that she is as comfortable in country music as jazz. Dave Binney's alto playing is a major asset on some of the more adventurous interpretations, and violinist Rob Thomas, pianist Uri Caine, and Tony Cedras on accordion add to the changing atmospheres of this strange but consistently colorful set. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    I Walk The Line 5:04
Accordion – Tony Cedras
Sampler – David Binney, Joel Harrison
Vocals – Norah Jones
Written-By – Johnny Cash
2    Lonesome Road Blues 3:29
 – Traditional
Bass – Stephan Crump
Keyboards – Rob Burger
Percussion – Todd Isler
Vocals – Jen Chapin, Joel Harrison
3    Wayfaring Stranger 6:47
 – Traditional
Accordion – Tony Cedras
4    This Is Your Land 6:01
Piano – Uri Caine
Written-By – Woody Guthrie
5    Twelve Gates To The City 4:56
 – Traditional
Bass – Stephan Crump
Drums – Dan Weiss
Keyboards – Rob Burger
Percussion – Todd Isler
Vocals – Jen Chapin, Joel Harrison
6    Tennessee Waltz 6:09
Accordion – Tony Cedras
Vocals – Norah Jones
Written-By – King, Stewart
7    Hell Broke Loose In Georgia 5:24
 – Traditional
Accordion – Tony Cedras
Piano – Uri Caine
Sampler – David Binney
8    Folsom Prison Blues 6:39
Written-By – Johnny Cash
9    Tender Years 3:12
Written-By – George Jones
10    Will The Circle Be Unbroken 6:05
Accordion – Tony Cedras
Vocals – Raz Kennedy
Written-By – A. P. Carter
11    Sing Me Back Home 3:36
Bass – Stephan Crump
Drums – Dan Weiss
Keyboards – Rob Burger
Percussion – Todd Isler
Vocals – Jen Chapin, Joel Harrison
Written-By – Merle Haggard
12    Lone Pilgrim 8:16
 – Traditional
Piano – Uri Caine
Credits :
Artwork, Design – Peter Krüll
Bass – Sean Conly (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 6 to 10, 12)
Drums – Alison Miller (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 6 to 10, 12)
Guest [Guests] – Norah Jones (tracks: 1, 6), Tony Cedras (tracks: 1, 3, 6, 7, 10), Uri Caine (tracks: 4, 7, 12)
Guitar, Electric Guitar [Electric], Fretless Guitar [Frettless], Steel Guitar, Arranged By, Liner Notes, Producer [All Songs Produced And Arranged By] – Joel Harrison
Saxophone – David Binney (tracks: 3 to 10, 12)
Violin – Rob Thomas (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 6 to 10, 12)