Songwriter circles are increasingly common in the roots world and are a great way for listeners to experience a range of sounds and approaches during an evening.

The Matchbox’s next Songwriter’s Circle is planned for Jan. 21. Red Deer’s St. James Gate will be sharing their music and stories. Call 403-341-6500 for details and tickets, which are $20.

Gretchen Peters, long one of Nashville’s most impressive songwriters, headlines Borderlanders, a songwriters’ circle at the Memorial Centre on Feb. 4. Joining Peters, a vibrant vocalist in her own right, are legendary Canadian country and folk singers Ron Hynes and Sylvia Tyson, as well as rising New England talent Graham Isaacson.

This one looks to be an insightful and enjoyable evening. Tickets at the Black Knight Inn outlet.

Los Morenos, an outfit that produces a mix of flamenco, funk and other danceable sounds, appear at The Matchbox on Jan. 23 with tickets $25.

Hungry Hill, recently crowned Canada’s top bluegrass band by folk magazine Penguin Eggs, arrives for a concert at the Elks Lodge on Feb. 13. Presented by the Waskasoo Bluegrass Music Society, fiddler Jenny Lester fronts this five-piece hailing from northern British Columbia and Whitehorse. $20 tickets are available at several area outlets including 53rd Street Music, The Red Deer Book Exchange, Jackson’s Pharmasave in Innisfail and Powpow’s Autobody in Lacombe.

The night before, Stephen Fearing plays the same venue with David Gunning. A fundraiser for the Central Music Festival, the popular folk singers have played our city in the past and always deliver a pleasing performance. Tickets at the Black Knight and Valhalla Pure Outfitters.

This week’s reviews:

Darrell Scott

Modern Hymns

Appleseed/Full Light

Americana’s most impressive contemporary troubadour whose name isn’t Steve Earle, Darrell Scott produces albums containing original music executed at such a high level that they pass largely unnoticed.

A true shame, considering the songs he’s dropped — including 2007 Americana Music Association Song of the Year, Hank Williams’ Ghost — match or exceed that of those who have attained more widespread acclaim.

This time out Scott has assembled acoustic sounds from a wide palate selecting a dozen songs drawn from his younger, transistor radio days.

Many of the songs are multi-dimensional productions, replete with strings. However, even when multiple vocalists and instruments come together on songs, the arrangements are still seemingly uncomplicated and spacious sounding. A few numbers are kept to quintets, and provide down-to-earth respite from more elaborate settings.

Scott, Mary Gauthier and Alison Krauss combine for a transcendent rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Joan of Arc; magic this one is with Krauss giving voice to the angels’ chorus as Scott’s flames rise to engulf Gauthier’s Maid of Orleans.

The beauty of Darrel Scott is that he can’t help but sound like himself and he fully owns these songs. Each becomes a Scott song by way of his hands and most especially voice.

Songs from Guy Clark, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and others are included, with the influences of the past mixed with Scott’s modern, honest ear and precision instrumentation that just feels right.

Megan Munroe

One More Broken String

Diamond Music Group

With a voice that demands listeners snap to attention, Washington-native Megan Munroe blends blues, country, and bluegrass sounds into an Americana blend that champions artistic integrity without sacrificing commercial appeal.

Of the dozen originals contained on her first Nashville-based album, none are generic or obvious; she possesses vocal personality, demonstrating not only how to convey the genuine emotion of a song, but an ability to connect with her listening audience. Belle Meade, Moonshine, and Angel on Fire are standouts.

Megan Munroe: you’ve likely never heard of her; I certainly hadn’t, but think K.T. Tunstall as a country singer. Now look her up on MySpace and listen. I think you may be impressed.

Donald Teplyske is a local freelance writer who contributes a twice-monthly column on roots music; visit fervorcoulee.wordpress.com for additional reviews. If you know a roots music event of which he should be aware, contact him at fervorcoulee@shaw.ca