(Rounder) St. Louis, MO born Jeannie Kendall was half of the country music duo, The Kendalls, the other half being her dad Royce. Starting in the late 70's, The Kendalls racked up a string of hits that include "Heaven's Just A Sin Away," "Thank God For The Radio," and "Sweet Desire." In 1998 they decided to record an album of acoustic/bluegrass based music, long before the advent and unexpected success of "O Brother." They had just begun work on the album, backed by their new label mates Union Station, when Royce tragically suffered a sudden stroke and passed away. Jeannie understandably shelved the project while she mourned the loss of her father and singing partner.

When Jeannie felt the time had come when she was ready to move on with her life, she decided to finish the project, something she thought her father would have wanted her to do. To fill the vocal harmony void left by her late father Royce, a star studded lineup of first rate talent came to the rescue. Along with Union Station handling the some of the instrumental backing, guest vocalists include Rhonda and brother Darrin Vincent, Alan Jackson, Carl Jackson, Allison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, DeAnna Cox, Johnny Long, Allison Moorer and Steve Gulley.

Jeannie possesses a beautiful voice that's airy, wistful and full of grace that is a perfect match to this acoustic/bluegrass based music. She chose a fine collection of songs that range from fun up-tempo numbers to bittersweet ballads. The album contains two duets, the first with Alan Jackson on the McCarter's mid-tempo "Timeless And True Love." Their voices compliment each other wonderfully as they bring a fresh new vibrancy to this outstanding cover. Steve Gulley contributes on the equally outstanding second duet, "Jack and Lucy," a bittersweet tale of childhood sweethearts.

Other highlights include the lovely waltz, "Love Chooses You" with Rhonda Vincent and Darrin Vincent on harmony vocals. The voices of Jeannie and Allison Krauss seem to share a sisterly bond on "Old Friends." The mournful ballad, "Smoky Lonesome," with Ricky Skaggs and Rhonda Vincent is also particularly strong, as is the mountain style ballad "Just A Memory." The harmonies of Jeannie and Allison Moore work especially well on "Serious Doubt."

Jeannie Kendall also includes two songs which were completed during the original sessions with Royce just before he passed on, and they are included on the album, serving as both a tribute to her late father and as the last recordings that would be made to represent The Kendalls legacy. Jeannie and Royce covered Johnny Bond's "I Wonder Where You Are Tonight," which in this context, the poignancy is almost heartbreaking. The other song is "Train Of Thought," where when Jeannie sings of "the train of thought keeps coming back to you," you can't help but know her thoughts are of the man that was not only her dad, but her longtime singing partner.

On Jeannie Kendall, she sadly closes the chapter of her life with The Kendalls that ended with the passing of her father. However, for each door that closes, a new one opens, and with the balance of her album, Jeannie shows her great potential as a solo artist. She possesses a beautiful, strong voice that can stand on it's own even without the support of harmony vocals, she has a keen ear for first rate material, and this album's a winner from start to finish. Based on that, Jeannie Kendall has a very bright future that still lays ahead of her.