AMAZON
In 1985 members of X and the Blasters paid tribute to the classic country of the Carter Family and Merle Haggard, recording as the Knitters (a play on words of folk family the Weavers). Here late-'90s alternative-country artists bow to the Knitters, covering the dozen songs on 1985's Poor Little Critter on the Road in order. Bloodshot's insurgent stable dominates the record, led by Trailer Bride's rollicking title song; Catherine Ann Irwin (of Freakwater) and the Sadies on the traditional "Walkin' Cane"; and Devil in a Woodpile (with vocalist Jane Baxter Miller), who nail Leadbelly's railroad song "Rock Island Line." The only swing-and-a-miss is Whiskeytown's plodding interpretation of Haggard's "Silver Wings," the Knitters' best as sung by John Doe, who appears twice here: with the Old 97's on "Cryin' but My Tears Are Far Away" and with the reunited Knitters on "Try Anymore." --Scott Holter