Iris Dement

One of the most celebrated country-folk performers of her day, singer/songwriter Iris Dement made her recording debut in 1992, when her independent label offering, Infamous Angel, won almost universal acclaim thanks to her pure, evocative vocal style and spare, heartfelt songcraft.

Despite a complete lack of support from country radio, the record’s word-of-mouth praise earned her a deal with Warner Bros., which reissued Infamous Angel in 1993 as well as its follow-up, 1994’s stunning My Life. Her third LP, 1996’s eclectic The Way I Should, marked a dramatic change not only in its more rock-influenced sound but also in its subject matter; where Dement’s prior work was introspective and deeply personal, The Way I Should was fiercely political, tackling topics like sexual abuse, religion, government policy, and Vietnam. In 1999, she collaborated with country man John Prine on his album, In Spite of Ourselves. Dement recorded four duets with Prine that earned her a Grammy nod the following year. She has also sung duets with Steve Earle and Emmylou Harris.

DeMent’s first album in eight years, Lifeline, delivers a soulful collection of heartfelt country-gospel that lifts the weight right off your shoulders.