Birmingham Road is the debut album by American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 singer-songwriter

Singer-songwriter

Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...

 Jeff Black, released in 1998.

Members of the band Wilco

Wilco

Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...

 back Black on this album. Iris DeMent

Iris DeMent

Iris DeMent is an American singer and songwriter. DeMent's musical style encompasses the genres country and folk music.-Early life:...

 is also a guest singer.

Reception

Writing for Allmusic, critic James Chrispell noted that Black "is a sincere singer/songwriter who puts a lot of feeling and emotion into his work, and the results are some of the best music released in the late 90's... For music lovers of all shapes and sizes, take a walk down Birmingham Road with Jeff Black. It'll feel like you've come home again."

Track listing

All songs by Jeff Black

1. "A Long Way to Go" – 4:01
2. "What Do I Want" – 4:25
3. "Birmingham Road" – 5:21
4. "That's Just About Right" – 5:50
5. "Noah's Ark" – 6:21
6. "King of the World " – 3:57
7. "Uniontown" – 5:17
8. "Ghosts in the Graveyard" – 5:23
9. "Nebo Hill" – 4:53
10. "Sheet" – 4:00
11. "Carnival Song" – 4:56
12. "The Valley" – 5:44

Personnel

• Jeff Black – vocals, guitar, harmonica, background vocals
• Tionno Banks – organ, piano
• Randy Jacobs – guitar, mandoguitar
• Ken Coomer
  Ken Coomer
  Ken Coomer was the last drummer for the band Uncle Tupelo as well as the drummer for Chicago based-band Wilco until Yankee Hotel Foxtrot...
  
   – drums, bongos
• Jay Bennett
  Jay Bennett
  Jay Walter Bennett was an American guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, engineer, producer, and singer-songwriter, best known for his work with the band Wilco.-Early life and work with Wilco:...
  
   – organ, guitar, piano, accordion, background vocals, Farfisa organ
• Curt Bisquera – drums
• Tommy Jordan – percussion, organ, steel drums, background vocals, dulcimer
• Suzie Katayama – cello
• Greg Kurstin – Mini Moog
• Lance Morrison – bass
• John Stirratt
  John Stirratt
  John Stirratt is the bassist and multi-instrumentalist for Wilco, and The Autumn Defense.Stirratt was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on November 26, 1967 and grew up in nearby Mandeville. He attended Mandeville High School and the University of Mississippi...
  
   – bass, drums
• Greg Wells – guitar, organ, bass, percussion, piano, accordion
• Marlon Young – guitar
• Iris DeMent
  Iris DeMent
  Iris DeMent is an American singer and songwriter. DeMent's musical style encompasses the genres country and folk music.-Early life:...
  
  – background vocals

Production notes

• Ben Grosse – producer, engineer, mixing
• Susan Rogers – producer, engineer
• Aaron Lepley – assistant engineer
• Boo Macleod – assistant engineer
• Michael "Elvis" Baskette – assistant engineer, mixing assistant
• Jim Champagne – assistant engineer
• Bob Ludwig – mastering
• Jack Joseph Puig – mixing
• Michael Tuller – programming, engineer
• Maude Gilman – art direction
• Michael Wilson – photography