A Grand Ole Opry star since 1967, Jeannie Seely now has a bluegrass album that opens with a song of hope, Life's Highway. She no doubt hopes to capitalize on the recent bluegrass boom, and "Miss Country Soul" hopes to place another hit on the country chart as she did for 13 consecutive years from 1966-1978. Her first big hit, "Don't Touch Me" (written by her husband, Hank Cochran) won her the 1966 Grammy for Best Country Female Vocalist. She's worked with Ernest Tubb, Jack Greene, and Porter Wagoner.

The picking and singing party for this record assembled many of Jeannie's friends and Grand Ole Opry family, along with some Nashville session musicians. The core band on this 13-song project include Kevin Grantt (bass, 13 tracks), Glen Duncan (fiddles, 13 tracks), and Jim Brown (guitar, 11 tracks). Guest players include co-producer Hugh Moore (banjo, 6 tracks), Buck White (mandolin, 4 tracks), Josh Graves (dobro, 3 tracks), Rob Ickes (dobro, 3 tracks), and co-producer Billy Troy (guitar, 2 tracks). Appearing on one track apiece are Jesse McReynolds (mandolin), Steve Wariner (guitar), Sonny Osborne (banjo) and Bobby Osborne (mandolin). Harmony vocals are sung by Terri Williams, Sharon White, Cheryl White, Billy Troy, Jennifer O'Brien, Hugh Moore, Charlie Louvin, and Bobby and Sonny Osborne.

Seely is equally comfortable with older country numbers such as A.P. Carter's "I'll be All Smiles Tonight," as she is with covers Dolly Parton's "The Good Old Days" and Garth Brooks' "The River.""It's a Heartache" and "I've Got my Baby on my Mind" adapt well to bluegrass arrangement. However, I can't help but recall Southern Connection's excellent, driving version of Dallas Frazier's "If It Ain't Love" in comparison to Seely's rendition. Seely contributes two originals, "Call of Kentucky" and "Roarin' and Runnin'" to this album, and both are given good bluegrass treatment. The same goes for Billy Troy's originals, "Fast Movin' Train" and  "Rose Upon the Riverbank."

For four decades, Jeannie Seely has been on life's highway, always dedicated to her music. At age 63, she knows the business and is apparently looking for new ways to revitalize her sound. Rediscovering traditional roots music is a commendable venture for Nashville stars, and Seely takes a slightly different approach by working up bluegrass and acoustic arrangements of songs more commonly associated with the country genre. It's another side of the singer from Titusville, Pennsylvania that we didn't really know. It would have been fun to hear bluegrass versions of some of her old hits like "Can I Sleep in Your Arms Tonight, Mister?" or "A Wandering Man" or "He Can Be Mine." Her fans will be especially pleased with this acoustic recording, although true bluegrass aficionados may only give this CD a luke warm reception. (Joe Ross)

JEANNIE SEELY - Life's Highway
OMS Records OMS-25160-2
PO Box 52112, Durham, NC 27717

www.omsrecords.com

Playing Time - 42:28

Songs - Life's Highway, The Next Voice You Hear, Fast Movin' Train, I'll Be All Smiles Tonight, The River, I've Got My Baby on My Mind, The Good Old Days, It's a Heartache, If It Ain't Love, Rose in the Riverbank, Roarin' and Runnin', Cry Myself to Sleep, Call of Kentucky