Amber Cross,”Savage on the Downhill”(Self-Released)-If there was any justice in this benighted world the name of Amber Cross would already be as familiar to devotees of the finest Americana as luminaries such as Nanci Griffith and Iris DeMent, and the California based singer-songwriter’s latest self-released offering is already a strong contender for roots music album of the year despite the fact that 2019 is barely a month old. “Savage on the Downhill” boasts instrumental contributions from Canadian singer-songwriter Ray Bonneville and “Transatlantic Sessions” stalwart Tim O’Brien but Amber is very much the star of the show as she serves up captivating ditties such as “Pack of Lies,” “Trinity Gold Mine” and “Echoes” for your listening pleasure.