Americana includes a surprising assortment of "roots" music -- alternative country, if you will. There are hints of regional styles embedded here and there, bluegrass throughout, and a healthy dose of the folk aesthetic for good measure. Americana music is sometimes referred to as the vague middle ground between country music and folk.

   This compilation is a pleasant hayride through the fertile back roads of the Americana music scene. Robert Earl Keen and The Little Willies (which sports Norah Jones as a member) may be familiar to you, but the rest of these performers are probably only known to diehard Americana fans. You'll likely become fans of few of them if you give this CD some good, sincere attention. It is Americana indeed.