Jenny Scheinman

Those already acquainted with accomplished violinist Jenny Scheinman's experimental jazz and avant klezmer recordings may be surprised to hear her waxing Americana here, and perhaps even more startled to hear her beautiful voice for the first time. Though this self-titled affair is her sixth album, it's also Scheinman's vocal debut. She inflects with the kind of beautiful sadness that fits perfectly next to slow burning twang — fans of Hem or Cowboy Junkies should find a comforting familiarity in Scheinman's approach and delivery. Bill Frisell's elegant guitar touches help to flesh out a gossamer version of Rebecca Fanya's "Rebecca's Song," and overall Jenny Scheinman is a covers-heavy outing. It opens with a gorgeous rendition of the traditional "I Was Young When I Left Home" (as arranged by Bob Dylan) and turns Mississippi John Hurt's "Miss Collins" into a pastoral hymn sounding like a lost Gillian Welch recording. Other covers include Lucinda Williams' "King of Hearts," Tom Waits' "Johnsburgh, Illinois," and Jimmy Reed's "Shame Shame Shame." Of her four originals featured, "Come On Down" takes an upbeat, rocking detour, but "The Green" stands out as a promising direction.