Joan Shelley

Joan Shelley No Quarter

Joan Shelley reflects the beauty of simplicity. On her self-titled fourth album, Shelley is often accompanied only by acoustic guitar as producer Jeff Tweedy wisely puts the spotlight on her luminous dimming-ofthe-day alto.

More than ever, the Kentuckian explores the connection between the British folk tradition and Appalachia.

Shelley’s lyrics are occasionally undercut by choppy syntax, but she uses distinctive imagery to describe the tug of love — and the tug of the countryside. Graceful melodies adorn the slow, short songs, where subtle variations in tempo and arrangement loom large.

Spencer Tweedy’s subdued drumming lends a swaying lilt to Where I’ll

Find You, but the pace remains leisurely throughout, and even Go Wild is a ballad. With a voice like Shelley’s, there’s no need to rush.