Maddox has a strong, urgent voice, with a handful of gravel at its hardest edges, and a penetrating quality that could cut across the deepest Appalachian valleys. Most important, she just sounds sincere and unrestrained, as though she were putting every ounce of her heart into the lyrics -- the way Magic Sam sang the blues. And no matter how often you've heard vintage offerings like "Cotton Fields" and "Rollin' in My Sweet Baby's Arms," her zealous performances and ringing voice make these versions feel definitive. Besides, the line-up is all aces. Although Maddox is not part of the bluegrass pantheon, this album should be; it's essential for any serious country fan.

-- Ted Drozdowski