Moonlight and Skies (Western Jubilee/Dualtone, 2006)

Until now, western musician Don Edwards has provided a series of easy listening collections based on classic tunes culled from the past - archival songs of the western migration, sung and yodeled to perfection. Always delivered in a straightforward style, his signature is his unassuming authenticity - steadfast recordings that are honest and understated. Which is what makes this collection so compelling - still the folksy saddle pal, the soulful swing artist ("My Blue Heaven") and the passionate blues man have finally emerged. Edward's version of "St. Louis Blues" sounds like it came straight out of the black south, as are many old songs which traveled into the west.

The disc features classic tunes by Cindy Walker and Gene Autry and an especially haunting rendition of "Coyotes" by Bob McDill.

Incorporating the talents of some of the best musicians in the business (Butch Haus on bass, Glen Rothstein on clarinet, Cindy Cashdollar on Dobro, Rich O'Brien on guitar, Bob Boatright on fiddle, Norman Blake on slide guitar and mandolin and Jon Chandler on harmonica) this well-engineered recording comes off like a live jam session that just happened one night in somebody's kitchen, spontaneous and fresh.