An American Classic
Curb, 2020
8/10
A veteran country music star and Grand Ole Opry regular for over 50 years, Jeannie Seely just turned 80, and to celebrate she gifted us this strong, timeless album where several legends are on hand to help her flesh out the song craft.
“So Far So Good” starts the album with The Whites on an upbeat and playful opener with jumpy keys, frisky percussion and Seely’s smooth, strong pipes, and “If You Could Call It That” follows with an emotive delivery of warm, melodic balladry.
Deeper into the listen, the soothing pedal steel of “Can I Sleep In Your Arms Tonight” punctuates the cautious landscape, while the string beauty of “All Through Crying Over You” brings in the bluegrass songstress Rhonda Vincent on the gentle country rocker. Willie Nelson is on hand for the album’s best, the sublime duet “Not A Dry Eye In The House”, where Nelson’s husky delivery works well against Seely’s pretty pipes.
Close to the end, “Dance Tonight” is a busy effort with group vocals and a festive feeling where Ray Stevens is in attendance, and the aptly titled “Peaceful Waters” exits with a gospel feeling of soaring, yet haunting balladry.
An American Classic proves that Seely’s talent has not waned one bit, and that her nickname, ‘Miss Country Soul’ is as appropriate as ever on this indeed classic album that will sound as good 50 years from now as it does today.
Travels well with: Jeannie C. Riley- The Music City Sessions; Rhonda Vincent- Destination Life