Gretchen Peters
Album: Blackbird
Label: Proper
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.gretchenpeters.com/

"Gretchen Peters is a songwriters writer" says Brandy Clark. I've never understood the "professional's professional" statement as it implies that some kind of insiders knowledge is required for complete appreciation. You don't need to be a Grammy nominee and CMA award winner to know that Peters is one of Nashville's greats; a quick listen to On A Bus To St Cloud or Breakfast At Our House will tell you that.

When you've been consistently producing classy albums for almost two decades you've made a rod for you own back. The option of a couple of good tracks, a handful of mediocre ones and a few duffers will not do; they've all got to hit the spot and on Blackbirds that's exactly what they do.

It is, admittedly, a dark spot - this is not a cheery album. It begins with a murder ballad (the title track), When All You Got Is A Hammer is about a veteran battling with being back home and Black Ribbons deals with a fisherman who loses it all (including his wife) in the BP oil spill.

Peters calls in some heavy weights to lend a hand; dobro maestro Jerry Douglas leaves his distinctive mark, current AMA artist of the year Jason Isbell sings harmony on When All You Got Is A Hammer and Jimmy La Fave duets on When You Comin' Home.

Before the reprise of Blackbirds that closes the album is The Cure For The Pain, arguably the albums saddest track. "The Cure For The Pain is the Pain, The Cure For The Pain" ain't that the truth.

John 'The Jacket' Hawes