Mojo - The Music Magazine

For the last 38 years, independent powerhouse Rounder Records has been releasing music by some of roots music's greatest U.S exponents.

A new 22-track compilation, Sinner's Prayer, showcases many of the labels greatest signings including Alison Krauss, Madeleine Peyroux, Solomon Burke, Irma Thomas and Loudon Wainwright III.

MOJO is delighted to announce that we have all 22 albums featured on the collection up for grabs. To be in with a chance of winning this exclusive prize, answer the following question:

In which year was Rounder Records founded? Was it:

a) 1969
b) 1987
c) 1970

Send the correct answer to editor@mojo4music.com before Wednesday, October 22. The winner will picked at random from the virtual hat.

In the meantime, here's a bit more information about the artists featured on Sinner's Prayer...

Slaid Cleaves - The track Sinner’s Prayer, which gives this compilation its name, is taken from Cleaves' album Wishbones. Released in 2004, it features Gurf Morlix on bass and guitar, veteran keyboardist Ian McLagan, drummer Rick Richards, and guitarist Charles Arthur. Cleaves, originally from Maine but now based in Austin, Texas, is arguably one of country music's brightest songwriting talents and an acclaimed live performer.

The Steeldrivers - If It Hadn’t Been For Love hails from the self-titled debut album by the Nashville bluegrass supergroup: Chris Stapleton, Tammy Rogers, Richard Bailey, Mike Henderson, and Mike Flemming. Innovative bluegrass that’s dark, intense and compelling.

Solomon Burke - No need for an introduction, just to say Don’t Tell Me What a Man Won’t Do For A Woman is taken from the Rounder album, A Change Is Gonna Come, released in 2003.

Madeleine Peyroux - Burst onto the scene in 2004 with her classic Careless Love album, which is where we first heard this sublime take on Hank Williams’s Weary Blues. Now an international star, Peyroux sells out concert halls all around the world with her silky, yet highly unique take on jazz and blues.

Irma Thomas – Again, no need for an introduction to the MOJO award winner and Queen of New Orleans Soul. Another Man Done Gone is taken from her Grammy-nominated paean to post-Katrina New Orleans, After The Rain (2006).

Sam Roberts – Providing the title track from his soon to be released album Love At The End Of The World, Roberts is currently the crown prince of Canadian rock with both this album and his single Them Kids entering the Canadian charts at #1. He will be playing his debut UK shows at end of September.

Loudon Wainwright III – A songwriter who has carved his own place in the pantheon of American music, Wainwright is the master of irony, wit, and poignant observations from the rollercoaster of life. I’m Alright hails from his classic 1985 album of the same name.

Kathleen Edwards – One of Canada’s finest roots songwriters, Edwards broke onto the scene with her self-produced debut Failer, which drew positive comparisons with Lucinda Williams. Six O’Clock News is the opening track on that album.

Blue Highway – Regarded as one of the finest bluegrass bands around today, scoring six International Bluegrass Music Awards nominations, including best band and best album. Their Sinner’s Prayer track, Sycamore Hollow, is taken from their latest album Through The Window Of A Train.

Uncle Earl – The Last Goodbye is taken from their second album, Waterloo Tennessee, which was produced by, and featured, the legendary John Paul Jones. The all-girl old-time string band have been a sensation on the live scene over the last 18 months, with a sell-out UK tour behind them. A new record is expected in 2009.

Alison Krauss & Union Station – Her recent collaboration with Robert Plant has seen this international vocalist and fiddle-playing virtuoso lifted to even higher levels of commercial popularity. Yet her heart still embraces the bluegrass tradition – as heard here on Crazy As Me, a track off the Lonely Runs Both Ways album from 2004.

Béla Fleck – Considered by many as the greatest banjo player around today, Fleck and his band The Flecktones has managed to craft a new sound for the instrument and taken it screaming into the 21st century. Ain’t Gonna Work Tomorrow is taken from his 1980 debut album Crossing The Tracks.

Vienna Teng – A highly regarded Taiwanese-American pianist and songwriter, Teng was released in the UK via Rounder Europe. Her music incorporates elements of classical, folk, and pop to produce a sound akin to Joni Mitchell or a more accessible Laura Nyro. The Tower is taken from her The Waking Hour album.

Kelly Joe Phelps – It seems a while ago now that Phelps was wowing a mainly blues crowd with his death-defying slide playing and dynamic fretwork. These days he is a focused and inspiring songwriter and in Tunesmith Retrofit (from which his track, Big Shaky, derives) he has arguably produced his best yet.

Linda Thompson – The UK folk star has produced two albums for Rounder, the later Versatile Heart was released in 2007 to great reviews. Here she delivers a startling take on the old Scottish-American trad ballad Katy Cruel.

Ron Block – Member of Alison Krauss’s band Union Station, Block is a producer and solo performer in his own right. Above The Line is taken from his concept album Doorway, which pays tribute to the Alice In Wonderland stories.

Sierra Hull – The rising star of bluegrass releases her debut album, Secrets later this month. Sinner’s Prayer features its title track. Mandolin and voice in perfect concord.

Dan Tyminski – Will be forever remembered as the singing voice of George Clooney in the film Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?, Tyminski is equally revered in the bluegrass community as a voice that defines a genre. It All Comes Down To You is taken from his recently released Wheels album.

The Cox Family – With Everybody’s Reaching Out For Someone, the title track from their 1993 album, this family roots band from Cotton Valley, Louisiana, made a huge splash supporting Counting Crows and Alison Krauss in the US. Have since won a Grammy with Alison Krauss for their collaboration on the album, I Know Who Holds Tomorrow.

Peter Rowan & Tony Rice – Rowan, a legendary bluegrass renegade who has played with everyone from Bill Monroe to Jerry Garcia, and Rice, one of the best flat-picking guitar players in the world, make a great double act. You Were There For Me is the title track from their 2004 album. They’re touring the UK in November.

Cherish The Ladies – this all-girl Irish/American folk band named after an old Irish folk song have been stalwarts of the live folk scene since the mid-’80s. Their Sinner’s Prayer contribution – Betsy Belle and Mary Gray – is taken from their 2005 album Woman Of The House. And they’re on tour as we speak.

Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys – Cajun gods and all-round goodtime Louisiana zydeco dance band, SRATMP currently head Rounder’s Cajun strike force and lend La Toussaint (All Saints’ Day) to Sinner’s Prayer. A Best Of is released next month.

For more head to http://www.rounder.com

_____________________________________________________________

Old-Time Terms & Conditions

• No prizes can be traded or exchanged for a cash alternative
• Closing date for this competition is October 22, 2008
• All entrants are responsible for including correct contact details
• The judges decision is final and no negotiation or debate will be entered into.
• All winners will be notified by email.
• This competition is open to all UK readers, except employees, associates and their families of Bauer Media