Shel Silverstein is best known as the writer and illustrator of books like “Where the Sidewalk Ends,” “A Light in the Attic” and “The Giving Tree,” but he was also a pretty great songwriter. Longtime friend Bobby Bare and his son, Bobby Bare Jr., have assembled many of Silverstein’s peers and collaborators (Kris Kristofferson, John Prine) and younger admirers (Dr. Dog, Andrew Bird) to pay tribute to the man’s impressive collection of songs. Silverstein’s songs, not surprisingly, are clever, grounded and full of personality. Lucinda Williams gives a bittersweet delivery of “The Ballad of Lucy Jordon” while Kristofferson is hard-worn and knowing on “The Winner.” Indie band Dr. Dog puts their psychedelic twist on “The Unicorn” while “The Twistable, Turnable Man Returns” sounds like it was written with Andrew Bird’s winsome vocals and playful style in mind. Other contributors include John Prine, My Morning Jacket, Todd Snider, Frank Black with Joey Santiago, Nanci Griffith, Sarah Jarosz with Black Prairie, Bobby Bare Jr. with Isabella Bare, Ray Price and The Boxmasters. – Written by DBosket
SIMILAR | Bobby Bare, Nanci Griffith, Kris Kristofferson, My Morning Jacket, Todd Snider