Personnel include: Kathy Mattea (vocals, acoustic guitar, whistle, percussion); Bill Cooley (acoustic guitar); Eamonn O'Rourke (mandolin, fiddle); Paul Martin (accordion, background vocals); Randy Leago (accordion); Carson Whitsett (piano, organ); Rick Blackwell (bass guitar); Jim Brock (drums, cajon drums, percussion); Jim Hoke, Suzy Bogguss (background vocals).

Having long transcended her country music roots, Kathy Mattea explores further afield in this folk- and world music-flavored set. Mattea has made a career out of a single-minded pursuit of her own muse, and here, just for the heck of it, she includes a bluegrass-tinged Stones cover in "Gimme Shelter," as well as John Fogerty's "Down on the Corner," done to a swaying New Orleans shuffle, and the old gospel standard "Wade in the Water." With the rest of the album consisting of well-chosen songs by her contemporaries (and one original, the simply arranged, beautiful "Give it Away"), RIGHT OUT OF NOWHERE further consolidates Mattea's reputation as a talented and eclectic artist.

Dirty Linen (p.46) - "This album is a graceful, thoughtful, at times bittersweet, at times funny, at times painful reflection of what's been on her mind, in songs she's written herself and a handful of well-chosen covers."