Natalie Merchant - Motherland

Teaming up with T-Bone Burnett was a good, healthy move for Natalie Merchant. She had begun to sink into vaguely tuneless singer/songwriterisms with her second solo album, Ophelia, and the sag in artistic quality was notable -- which may have been why she bought time with a live album in 1999. Burnett helps restore some musical backbone to her music on Motherland, even if the record is hardly a gritty affair (apart from Merchant's voice, which seems to have deepened and grown tougher since the last time out). Still, there's some character within the sound -- atmospheric, blues post-folk-rock, music that breathes -- not nearly as precious as Tigerlily or any of the 10,000 Maniacs' records, for that matter, while retaining Merchant's signature sound. Upon first listen, none of the songs announce themselves, yet it all sticks together, and repeated plays reveal Motherland as a subtle grower that will satisfy her large cult. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Alan J. Stepansky Cello Ann Kim Violin Bob Glaub Bass Bob Ludwig Mastering Brandon Mason Assistant Engineer Bruno Eicher Violin David Krakauer Clarinet David Ralicke Trombone, Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor) Elizabeth Dyson Cello Elizabeth Steen Mellotron Erik Della Penna Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Classical), Oud, Banjo, Lap Steel Guitar, Bazouki Fiona Simon Violin Gabriel Gordon Guitar (Electric), E-Bow Graham Maby Bass Greg Leisz Banjo, Mandolin, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (12 String) Guy Klucevsek Accordion Jennifer Hilliard Assistant Engineer Jeremy McCoy Bass Jim Scott Mixing, Engineer Jung Sun Yoo Violin Karen Dreyfus Viola Karen Marks Violin Katie Daley Voices Keefus Keyboards, Piano Keith Shortreed Assistant Engineer Kelly Daley Voices Kevin Dean Assistant Engineer Krystof Kuznik Violin Laura Seaton Violin Laura Wilson Photography Lisa Kim Violin Matt Chamberlain Drums, Percussion Mavis Staples Vocals Mike Elizondo Bass Mike Piersante Engineer Mitch Estrin Clarinet (Bass) Natalie Merchant Fender Rhodes, Producer, Piano, Package Design, Vocals Nick Cords Viola Patrick Warren Chamberlin, Organ (Pump) Paul Ackling Production Assistant, Guitar Technician Phillip Myers French Horn Picou Package Design Robert Read Assistant Engineer Robert Shaw Violin Ryan Boesch Assistant Engineer Sandra Church Flute (Alto) Sandra Park Violin, String Contractor Sara Selver Cello Sharon Yamada Violin Soo Hyun Kwon Violin Stephen Barber Conductor, Arranger T Bone Burnett Producer Tony Kadleck Trumpet Van Dyke Parks Accordion Vivek Kamath Viola