Terri Binion lives in the Orlando area, and with Disney World close at hand, she has created music for the Disney company's films, videos and the like, and also worked in the field of jingle production. But as a singer-songwriter, her work is anything but what you would expect from someone who has written music for the New Mickey Mouse Club. She is articulate lyrically, often addressing difficult issues with a good deal of grace, and is endowed with a nearly perfect folkie's voice -- clear, generally un-ornamented by much vibrato, and ranging from a sultry whisper to some country twang, sometimes nearly simultaneously.

As a songwriter, she manages to cast some new light on the timeless subject of love and personal relationships, but also addresses subjects like spousal abuse, an old news story, and the bane of Florida -- hurricanes. In her liner notes, she also makes reference to some of the real-life people she has met in her travels who were the inspiration for some of the songs. She adds that "they are all very real, semi-precious victims who crossed a fool's path." That may have been in part the genesis of her latest CD, "Fool," though there is also a song by that name.

She is joined mainly by musicians from her home area, including Mitch Corbin on various stringed instruments including guitar, mandolin and acoustic bass. Jason Thomas is also heard on mandolin and fiddle. Alan Coward is heard on the understated drums and percussion, and Doug Matthews is also featured on acoustic bass. There is a guest appearance by Lucinda Williams doing backup vocal on one track. Though bluegrass is often an underlying influence, the band can move into country with some added steel guitar. The CD was co-produced by Binion and David Schweitzer, the owner of the small independent label on which the CD was released. They did an outstanding job of keeping everything tasteful.

One of the interesting things about Terri Binion's compositions is how the lyrics and the musical setting can sometimes be at odds -- with a happy-sounding tune accompanying some sad lyrics. The musical mood of the "Fool" is generally bright and appealing, even while the subject matter can turn weighty.

Leading off is the song with Lucinda Williams adding the backing vocal, "Gayleanne," one of those people Terri encountered who she says inspired her. The musical setting is a mix of bluegrass and old-timey sounds, and Williams' harmony vocals add a very appropriate touch.

As a resident of Florida, Terri Binion draws on experience close to home for the song "Come Another Hurricane," which she does in bluegrass style instrumentally. It's a nice blend with Binion imbuing her new original song with a timeless quality evoking old traditional music.

There is no shortage of singer-songwriters on the scene today, but Terri Binion is a worthy artist who has all the right qualities, and is very good at both parts of the job.