Jaki Whitren - Raw But Tender (Reissue) (1973/2006)

Recorded by British singer/songwriter Jaki Whitren when she was just 19-years-old, Raw But Tender is a superb debut album that has achieved a cult status in the years since its release in 1973. Featuring Whitren's soulful, bluesy and melodic vocal style, the album captures her earthy virtuosity and brings to mind a unique mix of Joni Mitchell, Janis Joplin, and Nick Drake. As well as having written most of the material here, Whitren was a multi-instrumentalist and can be heard playing guitar and banjo on what are often country-inflected folk-rock style songs. Fittingly, backing Whitren are a handful of members of Southern Comfort and Fotheringay, as well as legendary British session guitarist Albert Lee.