Down at the Sea Hotel [With CD]

A gaggle of stellar singers and musicians from Minnesota's roots-rock label Red House Records convened to record quiet songs written by the likes of Nanci Griffith, Tom Waits, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Neil Young, Billy Joel, Carole King, Bruce Cockburn, Jesse Winchester, Don Henley, and Steve Earle. Mireille Levert's amusingly fantastical illustrations focus on the whimsical title track penned by Greg Brown and performed by all of the singers. The whole project has a warm, rich, soulful sound.