Karen Jonas - Country Songs (LP)

Country Songs�is a refreshing mix of classic sounds with new, head-turning country swagger. At times defiant, celebratory, or pining,�Country Songs remains intensely personal. It is crafted to be focused on - perhaps alone, while sipping whiskey on a quiet evening - for�poetry, story, and nuance. The layered fiddle, steel, and organ are the stage upon which Jonas's stories shine, with collaborator Tim�Bray's lead guitar acting as a spotlight.The swanky, two-steppin' title track professes a love of the Bakersfield sound (and Dwight�Yoakam's jeans), born out of heartbreak. It isn't quite serious, but isn't quite tongue-in-cheek. Wasting Time adds a softer side with a�timeless tale of love that won't disappear, while tracks like Ophelia and The Fair Shake show off the talents of twang-master Bray's�big orange Gretsch.