Petra Haden is one of those musicians who has friends in high places. Alongside kudos from the likes of Elvis Costello, she’s played violin and sung backup with that dog. and the Rentals. She’s also lent her violin skills to a great many albums from Green Day, Victoria Williams and Luscious Jackson. To top it all off, her dad’s famed bassist Charlie Haden.

While she usually plays the role of mercenary violinist, Haden can also sing, although she never took lead vocals in the two bands she was a permanent member of. She did, however, drop the violin for most of her solo album, “Imaginaryland,” in favour of a number of acapella tracks.

“Look Both Ways Before You Cross” is representative of the album. It’s an odd little track and very different from the stuff she normally trades in when she plays with other bands. It’s also very endearing in its simplicity, and Haden is a remarkable singer.