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The new Buddy Miller CD, Universal United House of Prayer, is huge. It is brilliant. An alt-country/soul revival tent full of gospel goodness. As good as the original material is, the standout track is a cover. The late great Mark Heard's "Worry Too Much" gets a gospel throwdown, with killer guitar fills and wailing backup vocals weaving in and out. And Dylan's "With God on Our Side" seems. The cover of Dylan's "With God on Our Side" is a bold statement for a gospel album. I like it - too often artists associated with gospel music are unwilling to question the extent to which religion in this country has become entwined with politics and power. The cover of the Louvin Brothers' "Higher Power" sizzles, as does "Fall on the Rock" co-written with wife Julie, which brings the CD to a barely-controlled epiphany of a conclusion. Go buy this - it'll be good for your soul.

Speaking of music that's good for your soul, have I mentioned that Mavis Staples has a new CD out? Okay, well, then I'm mentioning it again.

Richard Shindell is this week's featured artist, and his newest CD, Vuelta, continues his string of fine albums showing off his storytelling ability. Particularly fine is "Che Guevara T-Shirt" about a stowaway. (Aside - what is is about Richard Shindell and interrogations? Is there anyone else who has written more than one song about people being interrogated? Seriously. I want to know.) He has clearly been influenced by his residency in Argentina, with one song completely in Spanish.