Album: Bill Frisell, Volume 1: Folk Songs, (Nonesuch)

This American "jazz" guitarist has never contented himself with being one.

As if to prove the point, here is the first of a "Best of..." series concentrating on his genre work, in this case the haunts of country, bluegrass and blues. Not a jot of 'Folk Songs' concerns itself with aunthenticity, only with beautiful, ringing musicality: 15 pieces of fathomless depth played with the freshness and simplicity that only genius brings. Make your world anew and treat yourself.

Pick of the album: 'Shenandoah': Frisell and Ry Cooder go deep