Released on CMH Records (the company that puts out the Pickin" On series), Oh Brother, Can You Spare a Dime collects Depression-era songs done by recent and contemporary bluegrass artists, although the most effective tracks here aren"t really bluegrass at all, like Peter Rowan"s folky take on "No Depression in Heaven" or Tim O"Brien"s version of the title tune. Merle Travis" impressive "Cocaine Blues" is hardly bluegrass, either, and the Osborne Brothers" soaring dual-fiddle rendition of "I"ll Fly Away" is bluegrass of a different stripe, retaining some old string band qualities. In the end, the emotional kick of these venerable old songs of desperation, dwindling possibilities, and defiant but skewed optimism is what carries the day, rather than the genre in which they are presented. ~ Steve Leggett, Rovi