Legacy II: A Collection of Singer Songwriters

Engineers include: Howard Johnston, Steven Miller, "Chopper" Blake.Personnel: Cheryl Wheeler, Doug Mathews, Ellis Paul, Greg Brown, Tony Gilkyson (vocals, guitar); Mark Heard (vocals, acoustic guitar, accordion); Jonatha Brooke, Patty Griffin, Patty Larkin, Paul Metsa (vocals, acoustic guitar); Nick Berry (vocals, piano); Heidi Berry, Jennifer Kimball, Prudence Johnson (vocals); Frank Tedesso, Terry Bickers (guitar); Adam Steinberg, John Jennings (acoustic guitar); Christopher Berry (electric guitar, 12-string guitar); Johnny Dellaselva (electric guitar); Mark O'Connor (mandolin, fiddle); Darol Anger (violin); Peter Lewy (cello); Dave Moore (pan flute, pipe, harmonica); Steve Kramer (accordion); T Lavitz (keyboards); Bill Cuomo (synthesizer); Bill Batstone (acoustic bass); Laurence O'Keefe (fretless bass); Brian Macleod , Michael Bannister, Gordon Knudtson, Dave Morgan, Steve Hindalong, Robbie Magruder (drums); Felix James (congas); David Baker , Terry McMillan (percussion); Dawn Atkinson, Gregg Inhofer, Pam Dwinell, Jim Wrayge, Melanie Rosales (background vocals).Audio Mixers: Coleman Rogers; Nancy Scharlau; Jim Reitzel; Peter Walsh ; Kyle Lehning; Alain Mallet; Mark Heard; Steven Miller ; Tom McCauley; Tom Tucker; Ben Wittman.Recording information: Black Wing Studios, London, England; Different Fur Recording, San Francisco, CA; Sound Techniques, Boston, MA.Photographer: Henrik Kam.Unknown Contributor Roles: Cheryl Wheeler; Doug Mathews; Ellis Paul; Frank Tedesso; Greg Brown; Heidi Berry; Mark Heard; Michael Manring; Nick Berry; Patty Griffin; Patty Larkin; Paul Metsa; The Story; Tony Gilkyson.This anthology of modern singer-songwriters varies both in terms of style and quality. The 13 artists featured here are not necessarily the vanguard of contemporary songcraft so much as an inclusive sampler of the solo songwriter genre. The songs range from the introspection of Ellis Paul's "Ashes to Dust" to the expansive impressionism of Doug Matthews' experimental "Omaha Nebraska."Standouts include veteran Red House recording artist Greg Brown's wry, trenchant "Who Woulda Thunk It" and the plaintive piano ballad "The Good Little Children" by Nick Berry of underground pop greats Dots Will Echo. The high point of this collection, however, is unquestionably provided by New Yorker Frank Tedesso. His "What Could I Add to That" is a stunning, heart-stopping trip through the human experience with Tedesso as the guide. To hear it is to be immediately absorbed and ultimately moved. Tedesso alone is more than worth the price of admission for LEGACY II.