Iris Dement, born in Arkansas but later relocated to California, endowed with a clear and ringing voice, debuted with Infamous Angel (Philo, 1992 � WB, 1993), which features standout tracks like Let The Mystery Be, Our Town, Sweet Forgiveness, and Hotter Than Mojave In My Heart�rural stories sung in a lyrical, na�ve tone, in a style reminiscent of 1940s folk singers and gospel vocalists.

My Life (Warner, 1994) added a couple of small narrative masterpieces to her repertoire (No Time To Cry and especially Easy's Gettin' Harder Every Day), remaining faithful to the fundamental simplicity of the format.

The singing is again the main attraction on The Way I Should (Warner, 1996), her solemn fusion of gospel and country echoeing of antique hymns, but the arrangements are no less impressive, ranging from her piano to a tasty ensemble of fiddle, organ, mandolin, guitar and viola (Wasteland of the Free).

Later albums include: Lifeline (2004), Sing the Delta (2012), The Trackless Woods (2015), Workin' on a World (2023).