The 1997 Grammy winning collaboration between Charlie Haden and Pat Metheny. It contains original Charlie Haden and Pat Metheny compositions as well as some undiscovered gems by Jimmy Webb and Johnny Mandel. Also included are covers of music by Roy Acuff, Henry Mancini, and Haden's son Josh. Beyond the Missouri Sky (Short Stories) won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance. "The Precious Jewel" had been made popular by the Delmore Brothers, who were a major influence on Charlie Haden. "Waltz for Ruth" was composed especially for this album and is dedicated to Haden's wife. "Tears of Rain" is also an original composition for this project by Metheny, recorded with his sitar guitar. According to Haden, "The Moon Song" by Johnny Mandel had never been recorded before. "Spiritual", by Charlie Haden's son Josh Haden, was originally released on Spain's debut album The Blue Moods of Spain and was covered by Johnny Cash in 1996. Jimmy Webb took the title of "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress" from a Robert A. Heinlein novel of the same name.