From the online Detroit Free Press:

Vocalist Jonatha Brooke goes in a surprising direction on "The Works" (***, out Tuesday on Bad Dog), recording an album that sets original music to previously unheard lyrics by preeminent folk icon Woody Guthrie. It's quite the change, and a much needed one, for a talented artist whose previous effort was the overly commercial "Careful What You Wish For."

Invited by Guthrie's daughter Nora to peruse the Woody Guthrie Archives, Brooke chose some particularly unusual and compelling lyrics to interpret, and is surrounded by a fine band that includes Christian McBride (bass), Keb' Mo' (vocals, dobro) and Joe Sample (keyboards).

(Jonatha Brooke plays at the Ark in Ann Arbor on Dec. 4.)

interesting bunch of musicians. nothing like an avante gard nostalgic blues soul combo! might have to check that out!

They been playing cuts from Brooke's new record (Woody lyrics) on Folk Village radio (XM 15). The cuts I've heard have been very interesting.

very interesting indeed...man he could attach words to one another and the more of these songs i hear the more amazed I am..there is some incredible stuff here as on the mermaid ave recordings. seems he was an awfully tormented man that Woody Guthrie!

my sweet and bitter bowl wins this round, I have listened to it 1000 times and not gotten tired of it...it is like California Stars ans way over yonder in a minor key....exceptional and one by one which was a little beyond exceptional

maybe it is just me?

Expect a postage overdue for your B'day,then.

And I will never dread the day I will die
‘Cause my sunset is somebody's morning sky


them words up there, i like them to as they sum up my own personal philosophy about being. my battles fill me with dread though and i look for ways around them but i have found no one to show me the way but sometimes I do feel there is an Angel on my shoulder but the devils got the wheel, cause heaven knows I like the taste of Danger most of all (that Jonatha can write a decent lyric as well)