Intimately produced roots music

A smoky voice, laid-back yet expressive picking on acoustic or resonator guitar: You're not far off the mark to call Markus Rill Germany's answer to Mark Knopfler. Like the former Dire Straits leader Rill has a weakness for American roots music. Recorded with local crack musicians in Nashville, he made an album on which European folk rock and American country rock meet and mingle in harmonious fashion. Well done, Markus Rill.

music: 4 out of five stars

Sound: 4 out of five stars