The title of Winnipeg-based Tracy K's second outing suggests a grab bag of sorts. But while her grasp may be far-reaching, there's nothing piecemeal about the project – this is a cohesive and carefully considered collection with a distinct musical vision.

Tracy is that rarest of creatures, a woman harmonica player (a species that can seemingly be counted on the thumbs of one hand), acquitting herself admirably on the tin sandwich as well as acoustic guitar. It's her vocal prowess, though, that stands out – blessed with a voice that combines sandpapery roughness with extraordinary power, she proves herself an exceptionally expressive singer, able to deliver lines convincingly as well with a soft whisper as a rafter-raising shout.

She also composed all but a pair here, and while most of her tunes exhibit fairly obvious influences, she manages to mix things up enough to sound original rather than derivative. There's a Jimmy Reed feel, for example, at the beginning of the disc's opener, "Broken & Blue" but quickly puts her own stamp on things with impassioned vocals and acoustic harp. "C U Again" is a funky workout with scratchy harmonica and some nice lead guitar that would no doubt fill dance floors, while the breezy "Cruisin," marred by a breakdown that doesn't quite work, is a bit of a throwaway despite Jack de Keyzer's smoking guitar solo.

But once we get to Tad Robinson's "Sweet Serenity" here given all the breezy bounce it needs, things just get better and better. Tracy is positively Joplinesque on "Rollin' With The Changes," her passionate delivery utterly spine-tingling."Stop! Wait A Minute" sounds a bit like the old Dinah Washington/Brook Benton duet, "Baby, You Got What It Takes" but again, Tracy may borrow but doesn't resort to imitation. "Shine" is a roots-rocker with lyrics that display a genuine folk wisdom, and "Lucky Girl" is pure delight, its irresistibly catchy melody supporting sweetly innocent and uncommonly optimistic lyrics.

"Here All Along" too, another rootsy rocker, reveals an appealing depth, showing a thoughtful side to Tracy's songwriting. A cover of Willie Dixon's "Spoonful," however, isn't quite as successful; despite some fine harmonica on the signature riff, it's a little too rocked-out, the simplicity that forms the bedrock of the blues lost in a too-busy arrangement. It's not bad by any means, but as is so often the case, the somewhat over-the-top approach would work better in a live setting. By contrast, "Rock This House," a song that would seem to cry out for a live audience, works very well on disc. The party comes to a close with a feverish climax on "File In The Sky," a high-energy romp fuelled by gospel fervor and Tracy's exuberant exhortations.

Performances here may not turn heads (apart from Tracy's passionate pleading), but everything's done quite well, with fine production courtesy of Jack de Keyzer (who's no slouch as guest guitarist, either!). By no means a blues album, there are bluesy roots running throughout, and the varied program retains an intelligent consistency backed by a great deal of craft and care.

Recommended!