The first is Shannon McNally's voice, which is just about perfect. A little Sheryl Crow, a little Kelly Willis, a little Bonnie Raitt. She can pour her heart out and still sound grounded. Her feeling creeps into every song, and yet she's never melodramatic. I can't really tell you, but when you hear her, you'll know.
The next reason is the song selection. McNally pens three songs, and they are top-notch. The bluesy I Went To The Well, the rocking Roll Away The Stone, and the quiet ballad Banshee Moan. Then there's the rest, all written by a-list songsmiths Robbie Robertson (a magnificent It Makes No Difference), Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Beth Nielson Chapman, JJ Cale (the slinky Low Rider), Muddy Waters (a smokin' hot The Stuff You Gotta' Watch), Stevie Wonder (an amazing, swinging reading of I Ain't Gonna Stand For It), and Guy and Susanna Clark.
Then there's the production by Rodney Crowell. Crowell is a veteran of the Nashville scene with a long list of credits as both star, sideman, writer and producer. Like the excellent records he produced for Rosanne Cash and others, he brings real skill to the producer's chair. Nothing out of place, nothing overdone, everything just right. Crowell also attracts great session players that all supply the perfect building blocks for these sturdy songs.
Along with great songs played and sung as well as possible, the recording is pristine. Now a great recording means nothing without the performance, but when the performance is there, great sound can add to your enjoyment. The vinyl version will make your stereo a star.
Shannon McNally should be a huge star. But even if that doesn't happen, it's no reason for you to miss out.
