This entrancing, brand new collection from the fabulous Barb Jungr is subtitled “the new American songbook,” and functions on two levels. The first, as a record of her triumphant debut last year at New York’s posh Cafe Carlyle Supper Club, and secondly, as a valentine to some of the songwriters responsible for these "new classics" of our time. They include absolute gems from the likes of David Byrne, Neil Diamond, Leonard Cohen, Bruce Springsteen, Todd Rundgren, David Gates, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Jimmy Webb, among others. As is her tradition, Ms. Jungr deconstucts each of these selections and tailors them to her singular,extraordinary style.

Often a song we know primarily as an uptempo, becomes, in her hands, a haunting ballad, unearthing previously unknown nuances of storytelling with a heartbreaking voice of world-weary intelligence and clear-eyed clarity. Her assured partner-in-crime here, is friend and frequent collaborator Simon Wallace, whose sparce,sublime arrangements (with Ms. Jungr) and heavenly keyboard work add immeasurably to the proceedings! As with Barb Jungr’s other albums, this one is best not used as background noise. These are tunes, tales and performances to be listened to and savored like a fine wine.

And I find, with each new spin, the distinct flavor of each continues to grow. Particular favorites at thispoint in time include “I’m A Believer” (Diamond), “Breaking Down The Walls of Heartache” (Sandy Linzer/Denny Randell), “This Old Heart of Mine” (Holland-Dozier-Holland)  paired pointedly with the timeless “Love Hurts” (B & F Bryant) and Jimmy Webb’s ghostly and gorgeous  “Witchita Lineman.” Admittedly, it is difficult to truly capture Ms. Jungr’s brilliance (in a studio), as she is the consummate live performer, sometimes (literally) throwing her entire body, voice and soul into a performance, yet this record comes as surely close as possible. A few other highlites here are the dreamlike opening number “Once In A Lifetime” (Byrne/Brian Eno), “Night Comes On” (Cohen), “I Saw The Light” (Rundgren) and Bob Dylan’s “You Ain’t Going Nowhere.” By the way, Ms. Jungr’s full-disc salute to Mr. D (“Every Grain of Sand”) is a must-have!