Laura Cash - Awake But Dreaming

In this week's episode, we're featuring a labour of love from Laura Cash: "Awake But Dreaming" (2010). A fine collection of western swing and traditional country covers from this talented fiddler and Oregon native and one time daughter-in-law to the great Johnny Cash, this release is complemented wonderfully with well-chosen cameos. Fellow fiddlers The Quebe Sisters join in the fun on two cuts and Bobby Flores' excellent harmonies are all over this album; Jason Carter duets with Cash on a Benny Martin tune added to Joey McKenzie's rhythm guitar on a couple of tracks. Backed by the best studio musicians you could hope for - all of these folks are connections that Laura Cash has made since a well-timed move to Nashville in 1989. She made friends with some of country music's greats at a time when many were still around and getting recognition, and she's got the stories and pictures to prove it. "Awake But Dreaming" is Cash's way of keeping the tradition of country music's forefathers alive, and she does an excellent job with fiddle licks and a rootsy vocal you can sink your teeth into. Highlights include the original and touching tribute to her friend Roy Acuff in "Song For Roy (Country Music's King)"; a toe-tapping arrangement of Ray Price's "Who'll Be The First" and a couple of Bob Wills tunes in "Awake But Dreaming" and "The Image Of Me".