Tia Blake’s lone solo album appeared in 1971 on the tiny French imprint SFP, an obscure label known for releasing clamorous free jazz and field recordings from the far corners of the globe. In such company, Blake’s autumnal, introverted LP of folk standards was decidedly out of place; Folksongs & Ballads effectively disappeared and was almost entirely forgotten until its recent rediscovery and reissue by the folks at San Francisco–based Water Records. At first glance, this record seems a rather modest affair. The 11 traditional numbers Blake performs are standard folk-revival fare, but her interpretations cut far deeper than those of your average coffeehouse songster. On close listening, Folksongs & Ballads proves to be an album of unexpected depth. Blake has an instinctive sense of dramatic timing, and is a canny enough performer to recognize the power of restraint and understatement. Blake was an authentically inspired singer, and Folksongs & Ballads is, on its own modest terms, a near-perfect album.