Personnel: T-Bone Burnett (vocals, guitar); David Hidalgo (vocals, 8-string guitar, accordion); Billy Swan (vocals); Jerry Douglas (lap steel guitar, dobro); Byron Berline (fiddle); Jerry Scheff (bass); Steve Duncan (drums).

This album stands in contrast to Burnett's other '80s releases, primarily PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT and THE TALKING ANIMALS. Where the latter were large-scale productions, with guest musicians and sometimes-lavish arrangements, this album is as simple and straightforward as its title-less presentation. The songs were recorded direct to two-track with a fantastic cast of accompanying players, including David Hidalgo, Jerry Douglas, Jerry Scheff, and Byron Berline.

T-BONE BURNETT primarily features Burnett originals, though a few tracks here were written with others (Bob Neuwirth, Billy Swan) and the album includes a couple of standout covers (Elmer Laird's "Poison Love" and Tom Waits' "Time"). Acoustic and relaxed, this warm and engaging set is one of Burnett's finest and one of his more unique offerings.