Customer Reviews

Jeannie Kendall

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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)

This talented young artist was born in my hometown of St. Louis, Mo. on November 30, 1954. Bluegrass at it's best comes from the heart of Jeannie Kendall, her dad the late Royce Kendall set the stage for her life's goal ~ music that will never go out of style, but will live on forever.

This album is a star studded list of guest artists ~ Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, Carl Jackson, Rhonda Vincent, Darrin Vincent, DeAnna Cox, Stuart Duncan, Rob Ickes, Cody Kilby, Jason Moore, Kenny Malone, Ron Block, Adam Steffey, Ron Stewart, Dan Tyminski, Barry Bales, Sonny Garrish, Bryan Sutton, Larry Franklin, Milton Sledge, Bruce Watkins, Gary Prim, Glen Duncan, Johnny Long and David Russell...make this an event to remember.

Twelve tracks in the vain of "O Brother Where Art Thou", almost an hour of tender upbeat mountain music. Some stand outs "SMOKY LONESOME", featuring Ricky Skaggs and Rhonda Vincent with vocal harmony in perfect pitch perfection. Next we have "OLD FRIENDS", they just grow dearer with the likes of Alison Krauss ~ "TIMELESS AND TRUE LOVE", a duo with Alan Jackson, tender melody with lyrics that will tug at your heartstrings.

Bluegrass fans, there is not a track on this album under a five star rating. Songs that Jeannie has painted on the "Bluegrass Canvas" for so many years. With her dad Royce, "TRAIN OF THOUGHT", keeps coming back, must be on a one-way track just picks up steam. And Jeannie we wish you all the best...keep the light burning bright.

Total Time: 45:58 on 12 Tracks ~ Rounder 11661-0401-2 ~ (2/25/2003)

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.

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!!

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.

I've been listening to this CD over and over. Jeannie's voice is just beautiful.

There are some songs on this CD that will bring tears to your eyes if the liner notes don't beat the music to it! Jeannie lost her father in mid-project, but some able-voiced friends joined her in duet and back-up vocals to make what would have been a 4 star piece into a 5 star "must own" thing!!! We aren't talking average encouragement here either...we are talking about Alan Jackson, Allison Krause, Rhonda Vincent...this is the who's who of singing and picking my friends! I actually loaned my copy to someone who didn't want to give it back so I immediately bought another! I couldn't deprive him of this...This is the finest cross between bluegrass and traditional country that I have ever heard and you will love it too if you really and truly love the music we call country... ENJOY THIS WONDERFUL TREAT!

I've waited a long time for this album. Jeannie sings right from the heart, and the two duets with Royce take on an added poignancy now that he's passed on. Now if we can only get someone at Mercury to release the Kendall's 80's material on CD. "Movin' Train" , "Four Wheelin'", "Two-Heart Harmony"... these songs are too good to be forgotten.

Buy this CD!

Jeannie Kendall is the album that Jeannie and her Father Royce began recording in 1998. Unforunately and sadly Royce Kendall passed away. After that time Jeannie took some time off until her return to make the album. As the Kendalls, Jeannie and her father were very successful as a country duo. With a number of Top 40 singles including the #1 Hits 'Heaven's Just a Sin Away,' 'Sweet Desire,' and 'Thank God for the Radio.' The Kendalls won a Grammy for Best Country Duo in 1978.

This new album finds Jeannie Kendall's singing a step above her earlier work. Guest vocals include Alan Jackson on 'Timeless and True Love,' Alison Krauss, Allison Moorer, Rhonda Vincent and Ricky Skaggs. She gets backup from the outstanding acoustics of Union Station on four of the songs. Plus other supporting musicians like Steve Gulley, Rob Ickes, Stuart Duncan and Ron Stewart. This is the first that Jeannie Kendall made an acoustic and bluegrass. It is an amazing surprise that it's done so well. I think that Jeannie and Allison Moorer voices went really well together. Since the growth of Americana thanks to the 'O Brother' film this album was one step ahead of the game. I'm sure that the album will now be part of the music scene. As it contains some stunning songs and from the best of the country/bluegrass biz. Songs that have more depth than catch to them. More emotion than poetic songs. It's hopeful that Jeannie will do more bluegrass. Because alot of labor and love went into this one!

Her new CD is fantastic. If you're interested in good "country" music, and are tired of the Hollywood, bubble-gum smacking, pop country, then you will love this!