Various Artists - I Love: Tom T. Hall's Songs Of Fox Hollow

I Love: Tom T. Hall's Songs of Fox Hollow was recorded in the summer of 2010 at Tom T. and Miss Dixie Hall's home of Fox Hollow, just south of Nashville. Conceived by Cooper and Brace, this project is a remake of Hall's 1974 kids record Songs of Fox Hollow, and was nominated for a Grammy in the Children's Music category. Starting with songs that are near faultless in tone and content (Sneaky Snake, I Care, Ole Lonesome George the Basset, and The Barn Dance amongst them) the foundation couldn't be more solid.The collection features Americana stalwarts Buddy Miller, Patty Griffin, Elizabeth Cook, Jim Lauderdale, among others, along with the perfectly cast Bobby Bare, Duane Eddy, Tommy Cash, and Tom T. himself, among others. Producers Cooper and Brace make excellent appearances singing both lead and harmonies. Every track and performance offers something of value, delivering Hall's low-key but pitch-perfect lessons in life, nature, acceptance and understanding, love, and all the fears and pleasures of childhood, in a beautiful language that children of all ages can appreciate. The house band for this recording include Nashville's finest: Lloyd Green takes care of the pedal steel guitar while Jen Gunderman (keys), Mike Bub (bass), and Mark Horn (drums) are also consistent in their presence. As are all Red Beet projects, this one is beautifully packaged. Julie Sola's woodcuts for each song are beautifully rendered and embrace the natural spirit of the recording.