Famous journalistic tag-teams more commonly are known for uncovering the dark deeds of politicians and other known criminals, not covering the gems from their friends’ songbooks. But neither Eric Brace nor Peter Cooper is a musical novice: Cooper, music critic for Nashville daily The Tennessean, delivered a well-received debut disc last year, Mission Door; and Brace, a former nightlife writer for The Washington Post, has made a name for himself as the frontman for the Nashville-by-way-of-D.C. band Last Train Home.

And, heck, when your buds include esteemed songwriters such as Kevin Gordon, Todd Snider and Jim Lauderdale, there’s a mighty deep well from which to both pick and grin. Backed by an ace group of players – led by legendary steel guitarist Lloyd Green – Brace and Cooper roll amiably through the likes of Gordon’s “Down To The Well”, Snider’s “Yesterdays And Used To Be’s” and Lauderdale’s “I Know Better Now”. While their takes don’t outshine the authors’ versions (or Kelly Willis’ cover of “I Know Better Now”), Brace and Cooper’s smart, soulful vocals sound great together, and the friendly vibe of their performances is truly engaging.

Brace’s original “I Know A Bird” leads off the album on a low-key but lovely note, while Cooper’s co-write with Snider, “Denali, Not McKinley”, is a catchy historical ditty that combines good humor and regional pride. “Drinking From A Swimming Pool”, penned by D.C.-area songwriter Karl Straub, and the traditional “Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still” are other lonely-hearted winners on this true-hearted pleasure of an album.