T Bone Burnett has done it again. While the soundtrack to O Brother Where Art Thou reintroduced Americans to a rich musical heritage forgotten by radio and MTV, the music featured on Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood is a more subdued mix of cajun, blues, jazz and covers that also pleases.
The Cajun songs are sweet lullabies that uncover another treasure trove of Southern music. Notable standouts are Blind Uncle Gaspard's "Assi Dans La Fenetre De Ma Chambre" and the melodious fiddle on Ann Savoy's "C'est Si Triste". Alison Krauss offers her angelic voice on the English version of Blind Uncle Gaspard's song, "Sitting in the Window of My Room".
Macy Gray volunteers her pipes to cover a fun Billie Holiday song while Tony Bennett lends easy sophistication on Nat King Cole's "If Yesterday Could Only Be Tomorrow".
The artistry of Burnett's work is that all of the musical puzzle pieces fit without sounding contrived. Where else could Bob Dylan, Lauren Hill and Taj Mahal be found on the same record without sounding contrived? Burnett also has a knack for picking religious songs. Here the uplifting "Walk in Jerusalem" by Mahalia Jackson complements the romp of Ray Charles's "Lonely Avenue".
Though it's not as revelatory as O Brother Where Art Thou, this album obviously won't be a disappointment.
