Mary Karr is a poet and writer whose 1995 memoir The Liar's Club attracted the attention of country singer Rodney Crowell. He namechecked her in his 2003 track "Earthbound," rhyming her name with Ringo Starr's. Together they wrote the songs for Kin and, since Karr doesn't consider herself a vocalist, invited other artists to sing them. Produced by Joe Henry, the album is consistently powerful. Whether it's Lucinda Williams adding her tearstained voice to "God I'm Missing You" or Crowell and Kris Kristofferson joining together for the rollicking jig of "My Father's Advice," the songs come alive. Even Crowell's ex-wife Rosanne Cash gets into the act with the emotionally bare "Sister Oh Sister." Sung by Norah Jones, "If the Law Don't Want You" evokes classic country songwriting; its lyrics sing the praises of a bad boy while its music captures an acoustic feel. For a true country-western sound, there's Vince Gill's take of "Just Pleasing You."