Kristin Hersh

Short but very sweet indeed, this release, timed as a Christmas offering by Hersh, collects four about belief and hope, ranging from old traditionals to newer tunes. The two most familiar songs, "Amazing Grace" and "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," both get unsurprisingly striking renditions, Hersh's Appalachian-derived singing and acoustic guitar style perfectly suiting the songs. The real kicker might just be the starting song, though -- "Jesus Christ," Alex Chilton's lovely meditation on The Man himself. With guitar, booming drums, bells, and more making up the lush, wonderful arrangement, Hersh's great singing is the perfect thing holding it all together. An original from Hersh herself fills out the release, "Sinkhole," which sounds like a decades-old folk song given an upbeat sing-along arrangement, organ, and overdubbed backing vocals sending it all to an enjoyable height. ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide