Gretchen Peters first moved to Nashville in the 1980s. She has written a long string of some of the best songs from there, often dealing with thorny human issues. “Independence Day” about spousal abuse and a monster hit for Martina McBride was a CMA Song of the Year. In October 2014, Gretchen was named to the Nashville Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. She follows that honor with Blackbirds, a recording that has haunted me from my first listen. It has taken me longer than usual wrestling with trying to write this piece mainly because of how mightily it hit me. Production and performances throughout are gorgeous. Gretchen co-produced here with husband and keyboardist Barry Walsh and guitarist Doug Lancio.

To read this review in its entirety, view it at Sing Out!