The only real failure from an author I recognize is Elvis Costello's "The Judgement," which is too complicated a song to work well with Burke's spare approach-- it needs orchestral flourishes, or something more. Burke gives it a good go, and sings with conviction, but it's just not the right sort of song. The overwrought "Flesh and Blood" (by producer Joe Henry) is the only other weak point on the album.

Tracks by authors I'm less familiar with are also pretty solid. Nick Lowe's "The Other Side of the Coin" is a highlight, while the somewhat wistful "Sit This One Out" closes the album nicely. Between those two is the gospel message of "None of Us Are Free," backed by the Blind Boys of Alabama. It's hardly a subtle song, but it's undeniably effective-- Burke got his start in gospel at an early age as "The Wonderboy Preacher," and definitely knows how to use the form.

The simple sound of this album is probably a little too spare to find real commercial success (the fact that I had to try three different stores to find it doesn't help), which is a pity, because it's good stuff. Then again, the "old-timey" music of O Brother, Where Art Thou was a big hit, so it's probably not inconcievable that they could sell a lot of these. If you like soul music, gospel music, or any of the artists who contributed songs, you should check this out.