Drifter's Prayer (CPG, 2002)

A Michigan native now based in Nashville, singer and songwriter Janne (rhymes with "fan") Henshaw's voice is not exactly what one might expect to be matched up with the heavily bluegrass-oriented backing she receives from an all-star cast here. Most would probably think of her as being a little more "folky," but even without the harder edge of a Rhonda Vincent or a Lynn Morris, Henshaw's vocals are well suited to the easygoing acoustic arrangements, and her own original songs (7 of the 13 on the disc) lend themselves to this treatment as well.

"Dear Elinor" (based on a Civil War-era letter) and "Light In Your Window" are typical of songs that are intelligently written and pleasant to listen to. Henshaw turns in a well-done Utah Phillips song ("Green Rolling Hills") as well.

The aforementioned all-star cast includes Jeff White (onetime Alison Krauss and current Vince Gill sideman, who also produced), Rob Ickes, Bryan Sutton, Andrea Zonn and Jim Hurst, and these are folks who don't play on just anybody's record. The backing is superb, and the disc is well conceived and well performed from beginning to end. (Box 128424, Nashville, TN 37212)