NEW ALBUMS
SHANNON McNALLY
The Waylon Sessions
Exemplary covers of Jenningscentric standards
COMPASS/BLUE ROSE
8/10
McNally has been a largely unheralded treasure these past two decades, issuing a stream of fine roots albums and collaborating with the likes of Son Volt, Terry Allen and Rodney Crowell. Her take on Waylon Jennings’ recorded catalogue is superb, offering fresh angles on these well-thumbed songs without sacrificing their outlaw country credentials. Buddy Miller joins her for “You Asked Me To” and ace honky-tonk two-stepper “Black Rose”; Crowell guests on his own troubledodging classic “I Ain’t Living Long Like This”; Waylon’s widow Jessi Colter pitches up on the wistfully tender “Out Among The Stars”.
ROB
HUGHES