Garth As Songwriter

Maria Muldaur's Yes We Can (Telarc) (guess who she wants to be President) is not as she says a protest album but a pro-peace one, but the real reason I wanted to listen to it was for her cover of "We Shall Be Free". Yes that one, by Garth Brooks. There aren't many recent songs on her CD, but this cover caught my eye. It turns out to be pretty good, with Muldaur sharing vocals with Folk icons Odetta, Joan Baez and Holly Near. Muldaur's voice is a lot smokier than when she started, and its that voice that keeps most of these performances afloat. The album is a little flat musically, not keeping up with all the guest Women. Still, seek out her cover of "We Shall Be Free". Garth Brooks isn't exactly a critic fave, so it would be interesting to see what some of the reviews will say about this cover.