On the wagon: Musician sings of journey to sobriety

Ottawa-based singer-songwriter Lynne Hanson performs at Fromagerie Elgin starting at 8 p.m. Nov. 1.

Long-praised for her raw, confessional songwriting, award-winning Americana artist Hanson displays a whole new level of artistic courage on “River of Sand” – her first album in nearly four years, released almost three years to the day she traded in her hard-living ways.

Working for the first time with producer Lynn Miles, Hanson reflects on the chaos of life prior to Sept. 1, 2011, the day she gave up drinking, and on the pain that can drive a person to seek relief any way they know how.

The title track and “Whiskey and Tears” are both sober looks back at life as it was before.

“Heaven and Hell” is a brooding contemplation of depression and “This too Shall Pass” a delicate and courageous confession about its darker moments.

Hanson describes the sound of the album as “Americana with a philosophical bent.” The songs have the rugged and comfortable feel of an old pair of blue jeans, and Hanson still has the trade-mark honky tonk alto.

Admission is by voluntary donation.