Texas Music Magazine
Photo courtesy Blue Rose Music
At her recent record release show at the Continental Club in Austin, Shannon McNally explained that once she announced her upcoming release of
The Waylon Sessions, she got used to being asked, “Why an album of Waylon covers?” And her honest response? “Because I can.”
That response is pretty damn Waylon of McNally, as is her decision to put together a feminine reading of songs connected with one of country music’s most swaggering and tough outlaws. While musically McNally’s renditions don’t stray too far from the original source material (not a bad thing), hearing these songs sung by a woman makes them feel reimagined. And the songs hold up well, as does McNally’s vocal performance, a testament to her strength as a singer, considering that Jennings had one of the best voices in country music.
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Program #249 (June 25 at 8:00pm and June 26 at 3:00pm)
Singer/songwriter Shannon McNally first emerged amid the roots rock and Americana revival of the early 2000s.
A crafty mix of soul, blues, rock, and country, McNally established herself with releases like 2002 s Jukebox Sparrows and 2006 s North American Ghost Music while also seeking out interesting collaborations with the likes of Neal Casal, John Hiatt, Charlie Sexton, and Dave Alvin.
Working prolifically between major and independent labels, McNally notched further career highlights with the 2013 Dr. John collaboration Small Town Talk (Songs of Bobby Charles) and 2017 s acclaimed Black Irish. Known for honoring and augmenting the music of her heroes, she offered up another tribute in 2021 s The Waylon Sessions, covering the music of Waylon Jennings.