The Garden Red House Records***

The name might be unfamiliar, but Ruth Moody is one of the key figures behind The Wailin’ Jennys, the leading Canadian roots combo. This is her first solo album and it’s getting a British and Irish release some time after it was well received in the US – presumably to tie in with a tour that includes gigs with the TransAtlantic Sessions show in Dublin. Moody has a hauntingly beautiful and pure voice that makes the most of these introspective, well- rounded songs. She is helped by a big cast, including members of Crooked Still and Oh Susanna, and by the vision of producer David Travers-Smith, who manages to keep it all together. There are rich seams of folk and country mined with flair and a sure touch. The result is a quietly captivating album that creeps up on you and is all the better for it. See ruthmoody.com

Download tracks: Never Said Goodbye, We Could Pretend