Versatile violinist Jenny Scheinman has played around New York and toured the world with folks like Lou Reed, Bill Frisell, Norah Jones, and Ani DiFranco. While her own albums were often more experimental, The Littlest Prisoner, her eighth, is an album of originals firmly in a dreamy Americana vein with drummer Brian Blade and guitarist Bill Frisell. She also sings throughout for the first time, in an unaffected voice perfect for a frank style of storytelling with themes of childhood and motherhood dominating. This concept works best on “Just a Child,” which at times moves toward fanciful lyrical poetry. The expansive “Sacrifice” is also quite effective, building a hypnotic spell by swaying along at an easy pace. Those who want to hear Scheinman cook in a country violin hoedown style can turn to “Run Run Run” and “Bent Nail.” There are also three short pieces that function as transitions, which are brief delights as well. Showing a side that Scheinman hadn't fully realized before, The Littlest Prisoner has much to offer new fans as well as longtime ones.