Darrell Scott

It’s hard to say what makes for a pleasing voice, but Darrell Scott’s got one, a soft baritone/tenor that effortlessly expresses the genuine feeling he weaves into the lyrics he writes. A Crooked Road is a double album of songs all written by Scott, who also sings and plays every instrument on the record—banjo, guitar, mandolin, lap steel, keyboards, drums, bass, harp and cello. Strange how a guy can do all that and still come off humble, but that’s the impression a listener gets here—a man tapping into his moods and sharing them unselfconsciously. If you haven’t heard him yet, he’s got credits to spare. He’s worked with Steve Earle, he wrote a hit for the Dixie Chicks, and he’s also a featured member of Robert Plant’s new aggregation, Band of Joy. The title track is a winner, and so is “This Beggar’s Heart,” the closing song on disc two. I can’t think of a working musician who wouldn’t be proud to close his show with that song, and I’d be willing to bet Scott will close with it at his upcoming show at Sierra Nevada Big Room. If you can’t make the gig, A Crooked Road is good company for any road you’re likely to be riding.