[.ca] Jeannie Kendall

From Amazon.com:
As the Kendalls, Jeannie and her father Royce created commercial, tradition-based hits ("Heaven's Just a Sin Away" and "Thank God for the Radio") and became among the most successful duos of the late '70s. The hits had been far fewer when they began work on this acoustic album in 1998, prior to Royce's sudden death of a stroke. Aided by Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Allison Moorer, Ricky Skaggs, and Rhonda Vincent, Jeannie completed the album in fine fashion. Her solo vocals showcase a Partonesque grace and light, wistful quality that fits bluegrass accompaniment so seamlessly that one wonders if she really required quite as many duet partners. No matter. The revivals of Holly Dunn's hit "That's What Your Love Does to Me" and the McCarters' "Timeless and True Love" (with Jackson) are vibrant and crisp. "Jack and Lucy," with Steve Gulley, is particularly moving. Two tracks with Royce, completed shortly before his death, stand as a worthy reminder of the Kendalls' magnificent past, while the album as a whole reveals Jeannie's undeniable potential. --Rich Kienzle

Wonderful voice, wonderful songs!:
I would like to give a six stars rating to this CD if that would be possible. I listened to this music four times successively and every time I was enjoying the magic voice of Jeannie. Thank you, Jeannie, your songs touch our hearts.

Stellar musicianship, beautiful vocals, but no banjo:
Many remember The Kendalls. In this duo with her father (the late Royce Kendall), Jeannie Kendall had a strings of hits (like "Leavin' on a Jet Plane," "Pittsburgh Stealers," "You'd Make an Angel Wanna Cheat," "I'm Already Blue," "Teach Me To Cheat," "Sweet Desire," "Thank God for Radio"). Their "Heaven's Just a Sin Away" was a number one country hit, crossed over to the pop chart in 1977, won a Grammy and took home the CMA Record of the Year award. The Kendalls' unique harmony gave them a contemporary sound with enough traditional flavor to win them many fans. Jeannie now steps into the spotlight with her first solo album, an all acoustic country and bluegrass project. Although her father passed away at age 64 in 1998, he is included on two cuts ("I Wonder Where You Are Tonight" and "Train of Thought"). The former is a straight-ahead presentation, but not hard-driving, high and lonesome. Besides Dan Tyminski, Adam Steffey, Barry Bales and Rob Ickes, other sterling guests include Ricky Skaggs, Stuart Duncan, Alan Jackson, Carl Jackson, Rhonda and Darrin Vincent, Pat Flynn, Bryan Sutton, Allison Moorer, and Ron Stewart. Percussion is offered by Kenny Malone or Milton Sledge on all but one cut, "Jack and Lucy," a duet that Jeannie sings with Steve Gulley. Another special duet on the project is a remake of the 1988 McCarter's hit, "Timeless and True Love," sung by Jeannie with Alan Jackson. Laurie Lewis' hit, "Love Chooses You," is arranged with angelic vocals of Jeannie singing with Rhonda and Darrin Vincent. The same trio harmonize on "The Color of Her Eyes," a beautiful song written by Mike Stults. Jeannie sings with Alison Krauss on another Laurie Lewis song, "Old Friends." This project began back in 1998 when Jeannie and Royce Kendall started recording an acoustic project with Alison Krauss' band, Union Station. It has taken four years and various recording sessions to bring the album to completion, but that is to our advantage because there is a lot of variety on this album. I wouldn't have minded hearing banjo on at least one or two cuts. Even if soft-driving banjo-less bluegrass with a country twist, light percussion and piano, may not be your main cup of bluegrassy tea, you'll find songs to peak your interest and grab your attention on this project. The choice of acoustic country material is excellent, with a nice mix of covers and new material. Every song is given a unique Jeannie Kendall treatment and arrangement, but they all have certain elements in common: stellar musicianship and beautiful vocals with Jeannie's divine voice always out front. I am very pleased to see such professional productions of this quality in the acoustic music market. This album deserves a place in your collection, and I hope to hear its tracks frequently on the country, bluegrass and Americana radio airwaves. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

Lovely solo album:
As a big Kendalls fan, Jeannie's voice is just as sweet as it was when she and her late father Royce first sang "Heaven's Just A Sin Away". Even though Jeannie gets plenty of help in the harmony department (Alan Jackson, Ricky Skaggs and Rhonda Vincent), Royce will be greatly missed. We are indeed lucky to hear him on two tracks before his untimely passing. I hope to hear a lot more from Jeannie Kendall.

Jeannie Kendall:
This is a sparkling wonderful album!! Jeannie Kendall's voice is just amazing! The guests are great, but let there be no mistake, this album is about Jeannie. No Bluegrass Lover should be without this collection of collaborations!! Jeannie's exquisite voice and performance make this album an instant classic!! The selection of songs includes two tracks that were recorded with her father, the late Royce Kendall of the famous Kendalls duo("Heaven's Just A Sin Away," "Thank God For The Radio," among other hits).The wonderful harmonies and melodies make this the "Album of the Year" for me. It is an 11+ on a scale of 10, a bases loaded HOMERUN in the bottom of the 9th!! Magnificent!!

A Wonderful album to listen to over and over! What a voice!:
Jeannie Kendall came to sing at our Americana Music Festival in Nacogdoches, Texas and I just happened to read an article in the paper that afternoon and realized that she was the daughter from the Kendalls duo that I remembered from "way back then". I am so glad that I went to see her, because she was amazing. Her voice is wonderful, and she has some really great songs on this new CD. I have been listening to it over and over.

• That's What Your Love Does to Me
• Love Chooses You
• Timeless and True Love
• I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
• Old Friends
• Smoky Lonesome
• Just a Memory
• Train of Thought
• Wishing Well Blues
• The Color of Her Eyes
• Serious Doubt
• Jack and Lucy