Hailing from Lubbock Texas, Rhodes is rightly celebrated for her crystal clear voice and for her song writing which has seen her collaborate with or be covered by a veritable pantheon of American country and mainstream rock artists. Clinging to her Texan roots however, she has resisted the lure of Nashville and still resides in Austin, the hip counter to Music City's homogenised country scene.
Rhodes is more akin to the likes of Emmylou Harris or Nanci Griffith than to the gutsier sound of Lucinda Williams and these songs flow easily with rich melodies and clean cut accompaniment. Rhodes also sounds traditional without any of the hullabaloo and posturing that comes with the more manufactured Nashville babes. No radio friendly popness here therefore, instead we get honest to goodness down-home dobros. At times, as on "The Road to Jubilee", the production and sound is akin to Emmylou's "Wrecking Ball" with a warm, ambient feel prevailing. Overall however, anyone looking for an alternative country experience is left high and dry although the inclusion of duets with Townes Van Zandt and Waylon Jennings could provide some relief.
This re-issued album is a personal selection of her favourite recordings from 1995 until 2005 with five of the 14 songs being collaborative efforts. Highlights include "Big Ol' Train" - a railroad country shuffle - and "Maybe We'll Just Disappear," sung with Jennings. The inclusion of Van Zandt's vocal on "I'm Gonna Fly" provides just the right amount of sour to balance the sweet of Rhodes' voice and would definitely be the main reason for buying this album.