Winifred Horan, best known as the longtime fiddler of Irish-American supergroup Solas, in 2002 put out an album for the nice folks at Cracker Barrel.

Now, Cracker Barrel isn't really my thing, although I'll admit that, every once in a while, I'll enjoy a nice, comforting meal there. And the music here is sort of the same -- it's not going to slap you upside the head with anything new or surprising, but it's a hearty portion of excellent music in comfortable surroundings.

With no obvious awareness of irony, the CD's liner notes explain how Cracker Barrel's Heritage Music Collection is all about "the heritage of American music," "the music that enriches America today," "music from the heart of America" and "samples from America's musical quilt." "Heritage Music is American music," it further asserts. Well, no, this is mostly Irish music, but OK.

I guess it counts because Horan is from New York. She, besides being a founding member of Solas, has toured with Cherish the Ladies, the Sharon Shannon Band, Eileen Ivers and others, giving her a significant background in the craft. She's good, very good, and this album showcases her talents along with an assortment of guest musicians: Solas co-founder Seamus Egan on flute, banjo and whistles, Donal Clancy on acoustic guitar and bouzouki, Antje Duvekot on vocals, Keith Murphy on guitar and Thomas Barlett on piano.

This is a thoroughly pleasant album. Sadly, it doesn't come with a side of cornbread dressing or turnip greens, but you'll still enjoy the music while devising your own menu.