Even for an artist prone to rabbit holes, “Coal’’ was a curveball. In addition to her early years in commercial country music - which, starting in the late 1980s, spawned hits such as “Love at the Five & Dime,’’ “Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses,’’ and “Come From the Heart’’ - Mattea’s discography is dotted with detours into bluegrass, Celtic, and folk.
The reception for “Coal’’ was resounding, both critically and personally. It garnered a Grammy nomination for best traditional folk album, and Mattea is now working on its follow-up, due for release in late summer. She says “Calling Me Home,’’ which features songs such as Jean Ritchie’s “Now Is the Cool of the Day,’’ is a deeper exploration of where she comes from. Mattea says she follows her muse wherever it leads her, even when she’s clueless about the destination.
