Fiercely independent contemporary folk label Red House presents
These Times We're Living In, a 16-track collection of roots music, bluegrass and singer/songwriter observations on living amidst the ebb and flow of our tumultuous 21st century, with an emphasis on the changes brought about by the attacks on September 11, 2001. For the most part it's a somber affair, with
John Gorka's sparse "Riverside,"
Lucy Kaplansky's poignant "Land of the Living" and
the Wailin' Jennys powerful "Arlington" rising to the top of the heap, but it's balanced by light-hearted offerings from
Suzzy & Maggie Roche ("Who Cares") and
Guy Davis, whose jamboree style "We All Need More Kindness in This World" ends the anthology on a positive note. Add to that mix two stellar instrumentals from
Martin Simpson ("Horn Island") and
Peter Ostroushko ("Hymn: Page 9/11") and you've got yourself a solid little package of introspective acoustic nuggets for an overcast Sunday afternoon. ~ James Christopher Monger