Jeanne Kendall (Rounder, 2003)

Sounding less like a past-her-prime hit maker and more like the seminal influence on Alison Krauss and others that her delicate, Dolly Parton-like voice indicates, Kendall is in fine voice throughout the disc. From the original sessions, the late Royce Kendall sings on two tracks, and Krauss's Union Station band plays on four more. Other guests include Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda and Darrin Vincent, Allison Moorer, Steve Gulley (of Mountain Heart), and Alan Jackson (on a remake of the 1988 McCarter's hit "Timeless and True Love.").

Kendall never lets the star power of her guest list overwhelm her own pure voice, however. Over the dozen tracks, she carves out a sound somewhere between classic country and mellow bluegrass that suits her perfectly.