Album: Abigail Washburn, City of Refuge (Rounder)

Born in Illinois, educated in Minnesota, now living in Tennessee via time spent in Vermont and China, it should come as no surprise that Washburn sounds like no one else.

A clawhammer banjo player with her heart in old-time American music but her style flexible enough to display her broad influences, this is Washburn's second solo album, and very lovely it is too. It's a little too polished for the Oh Brother... crowd, but fans of Gillian Welch and Alison Krauss should take note.