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It's been a busy year and we're finally back to putting out download releases of great albums you may never hear of otherwise. This week we're focusing on a title that has hidden in the bins quite successfully amongst thousands of undistinguished New England folk / SSW (singer-songwriter) records for more than 30 years -- Hometown Lady by Pat Wells. Like so many discoveries from Yoga Records, the packaging on this one is banal, misleading, and generally horrible -- making it perfect for download issue.

Pat Wells was simply and clearly talented. A rich guy looking to justify the continued existence of the label (Sail Records) he created to put out his own mediocre self-titled SSW album recognized her talent, and footed the bill for her to work with Boston's best session players in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And that's what happened. Wells' subtly-incorrect, lazy-seeming, discretely sexy vocals contrast with the unfailingly polished backing. Her unabashedly sentimental, nostalgic sentiments about New England conjure images that will be immediately clear to anyone who's ever lived there. The title is actually specific; the album is about being from a specific place and having specific feelings about it that require poetry to be expressed. Similar to Jeff Eubank, Wells has an uncanny way of capturing something that takes a moment of reordering your relationship with the music's superficially cheesy aspects, and which you will not retreat from once you get it. If you don't get it, your loss -- have fun on the internet or whatever.

Here's what Other Music says: "Yoga Records impeccable reissue series continues with “Hometown Lady," a set of songs by obscure ‘70s folk crooner Pat Wells. Equipped with a beautifully smooth voice and a slew of skilled backing musicians, Wells lays down track after lushly orchestrated track of simple, sweet, nostalgic folk songs, capturing a sound that is, above all else, pure."

Listen and buy it here.