None of these are revelations: Tom Waits is a great songwriter, his songs come to us in a distinctive package when performed by Waits himself (which can be a barrier to, as well as an integral part of, enjoying those songs), and covers by other artists - often female - can work well.
Also not revelations: Aimee Mann, Patty Griffin and Rosanne Cash (to name just my personal biggest three) are each magnificent singers, and the pool is deep in that broad genre - more of a style and a sensibility really - spanning roots, folk, Americana and 'classic' singer-songwriter pop, especially when it comes to women.
One thing I hadn't realised: there've been big covers of Waits's songs before other than Rod Stewart's "Downtown Train", notably the Eagles' "Ol' 55" and Bruce Springsteen's "Jersey Girl".
So this collection isn't revelatory but it has many nice songs of which the best are probably the versions involving the exact singers and songs I've already mentioned, especially Mann's "Hold On", Allison Moorer and Shelby Lynne's "Ol' 55" and Corinne Bailey Rae's "Jersey Girl"; Rosanne Cash singing "Time" has an unsurprising depth too.
