Intimate Portrait: Women Of The Heartland
by Various Artists

This is an excellent primer for country-folk and alternative country female singer-songwriters. The collection stars with Lucinda Williams' Rough Trade anthem Passionate Kisses, followed by Crying Over You from Rosie Flores' self-titled debut. Next are two tracks from two Texas Treasures: Kelly Willis and Nanci Griffith. Next is Rosanne Cash with a cover of one of her father's songs, which is unfortunate because she is a talented songwriter. After a track from Carlene Carter, who often put an edge in her music that never caught on in Nashville, outlaw veteran Emmylou Harris sings Even Cowgirls Get the Blues. Next is a stripped down acoustic folk song from Gillian Welch. After a track from the lesser known Victoria Williams is a track from Mary Chapin Carpenter that actually had major presence on mainstream country radio. Next is the lesser known Cheri Knight and the underrated Texan Katy Moffatt. The set finishes strong, with a track from Beth Neilsen Chapman, Iris DeMent, Dar Williams and Julie Miller.

Though I would argue with some of the song selections, the artist selections are a comprehensive look at country-folk female songwriters from the late 80s to the late 90s. It's an excellent starter for anyone not familiar with artists that were trailblazers for contemporary Americana music.

Reduced to a 7" Single:
A-Side: Passionate Kisses
B-Side: Trouble in the Fields