The first thing you should know is that this recording was released to benefit children who suffered from the devastating tsunamis that ravaged Southeast Asia in late 2004. So, obviously, you should buy it even if it"s not that good because it"s for an awesome cause. Thankfully, you get to hear some pretty groovy tunes as well when you buy this compilation. Produced by Nashville-based fiddler Andrea Zonn and Irish musician John Cutliffe, the disc pairs British Isles artists with American roots musicians. It"s not only far better than it has any right to be, the album highlights the similarities and affinities the different musics have for and with each other. Who"d have ever thought a cover of an old Irish tune reworked in English, by Vince Gill with Celtic lite band Altan no less, would be so lovely? It is, as is the rest of this wonderfully-realized collection, which also includes Bonnie Raitt, Tim O"Brien, John Prine, and Jerry Douglas. –Mike McGonigal