Though vocalist Judith Edelman sang in the strictly bluegrass band Ryestraw, her solo career has shown a wider range of styles, including alternative, folk, and Celtic influences. With a backing band featuring Jerry Douglas, Alison Brown, Clive Gregson, Pat MacInerny, and Randy Howard, she recorded her debut album, Perfect World, for Compass Records and released it in mid-1996. Subsequent releases include 1998's Only Sun and 2000's Drama Queen.