Ernst Molden Essentials

Austria's Ernst Molden is as much a novelist as a songwriter—he conjures entire worlds within his smoky blues-folk songs in just a few minutes of time. His lyrics always take the front seat, and his arrangements always serve the words—most songs are just sparse guitar strumming, a stand-up bass, a few percussive tones and an occasional harmonica. The songwriter's most expressive instrument is his voice: a dusty, crackling tool that matches his densely literary tunes.