I've been listening to Band of Joy for the past couple of week, and have really been enjoying it. In fact, I've enjoyed it much more than Raising Sand.
It's probably just me, but each time I listen to Band of Joy I'm reminded of some of Mark Knopfler's recent efforts. I'm developing a little fantasy about a collaboration between these two in the not-too-distant future.
It's funny how I find myself drifting towards music these days that falls between genres, whether it's The Bad Plus covering Nirvana and Blondie, Cassandra Wilson doing The Rolling Stones, Brad Mehldau doing Radiohead or Robert Plant or Mark Knopfler playing a bluesy, bluegrassy, folksy, rocky melange, it all has the effect of reminding me how much better music is when it's played thoughtfully rather than produced to meet some marketing criteria.
Chad