by Ceci Gilson

Tracy Grammer’s seven-song EP “Book of Sparrows” stands out for many reasons. Over all, it’s an apt showcase for her rich and subtle vocal interpretations of songwriters like Tom Russell, Dave Carter, Paul Simon and Jackson Browne. Beautifully co-produced with musical partner, guitarist Jim Henry, it has quickly become a folk-radio mainstay. “Book of Sparrows” offers an emotional portrait of loss and yearning, splashed across the grand outdoors; the wide open prairie, the storm-tossed Bering Sea, windswept mountains. All are accompanied by heavy weather.

Grammer admits the disc tends toward the melancholic, calling it “wistful and sad.” But really, who better to deliver the message? Right out of the starting gate, Grammer and Henry lay claim to Tom Russell’s song of longing and regret, “Blue Wing.” The instrumentation is richly textured as it is through most of the disc.

Strangely, the showcase song of the disc, Kate Power’s “Travis John,” seems to lack the soul and passion of the other tracks. Tracy Grammer calls it her “One-Song Peace Movement.” She has promised to play it at every concert until the war ends and distributes lyrics and sheet music to all who attend. But driven by a runaway spritely finger-picked guitar, the song skips along and denies the vocals an opportunity to dig in and truly contemplate the sorrow and tragedy of the loss of Travis John, a 21-year-old soldier killed by a land mine in Iraq.

“The Waking Hour” (David Francey) quickly makes up for the previous lack of depth. Grammer’s lovely mellow voice provides a rich counterpart to the delicious harmonies and layered guitars of all types and styles. Ditto the Dave Carter song, “Lord of the Buffalo.” Here the vocal harmonies, acoustic guitars and dobro undulate and weave like the golden prairie grass of the song.

Paul Simon’s ode to the seasons (and love grown old), “April Come She Will” is stellar and, similar to the original, is kept delightfully simple. The star here is Grammer’s voice; the song is a brief but intimate gem in the midst of a disc comprised of much lengthier songs.