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Becky Schlegel, For All the World to See, 2008 (Lilly Ray Records, Indie)
Becky Schlegel's new full-length record entitled For All the World to See is a soft Bluegrass gem that is easily on par with the best in Bluegrass today. To be sure, Schlegel's voice contains a sweet southern charm and angelic perfection that will remind many of both Alison Krauss and Dolly Parton. Schlegel fuses these two vocal influences into a style all her own, and the result is a beautiful record that fans of a softer brand of Bluegrass will adore. With five full-length records already under her belt, Schlegel's been a strong presence on the Bluegrass circuit for at least the past seven years. Indeed, For All the World to See showcases both her maturity and self-confidence as a world-class musician, as well as her well-honed songwriting abilities. With the Nashville songwriting machine churning out thousands of songs every month, the fact that Schlegel's written all 11 songs (one co-write with Kevin Bowe) is refreshing. Nothing against songwriters, but it's important to highlight the depth of Schlegel's talent. Her choice to live in Minnesota instead of Nashville might seem a little unusual for a singer-songwriter of her level. But it's paid off in many ways. She's appeared on her home state'spopular radio show A Prairie Home Companion numerous times and won the praises of Garrison Keillor, who is no doubt one of the greatest literary and cultural critics of our time. It's certainly time for the rest of the world to take notice. Fans of Dolly Parton, Allison Krauss, and early Nickel Creek can add Becky Schlegel to their short list of favorites. — Vincent Wynne, September 29, 2008
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