The country rockers and a British folkie tackle Woody Guthrie

From the opening shuffle and bounce of barroom sing-along “Walt Whitman’s Niece,” it’s clear that Wilco’s country roots and Billy Bragg’s workingman’s folk are the perfect combo to tackle Woody Guthrie’s treasure trove of previously unaccompanied lyrics. Natalie Merchant’s backing vocals, against fiddle and accordion on the sparkling “Way Over Yonder In the Minor Key,” provide one of the album’s highlights. And Jeff Tweedy takes the reins for the shambling “Airline to Heaven,” a thumping and uplifting ramble that claps toward the sweet hereafter.