Music Review: Windy City, Alison Krauss

It's been 17 years since Alison Krauss last released a solo album, not that she's been idle.

Her 2007 combination Raisin' Sand with Robert Plant, for example, broke new ground.

With 27 Grammy awards on her shelves, Krauss has never relinquished her crown from the Country Music field which she mostly calls home.

For Illinois born and bred Krauss, naming her new album after Chicago was a no-brainer, and on the strength of the music within it there's no way anyone else will be wrestling her role as the Queen of Country anytime soon.

Hooked up with legendary producer Buddy Cannon, she set out to cast her own long shadow on a clutch of country classics, recorded with a who's-who line-up of musicians.

The De Luxe version of Windy City boasts a number of live versions.

While there are a number of upbeat songs across the album it's the torch-song-country interpretations that make the album move from the excellent to outstanding category.

Windy City, the title track, is one of those unforgettable torch songs, as is Brenda Lee's Losing You, Willie Nelson's I'll Never Care for you, River in the Rain penned by Roger Miller for 1985's Broadway musical Big River - the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. And her elegant version of Glen Campbell's Gentle on my mind, is yet another highlight.

The live versions on the de luxe version of Windy City will assist in making the album another major awards contender, but the listening pleasure they provide is what it's all about.

Here's hoping another 17 years doesn't elapse before Krauss drops another solo album, or perhaps another duet with Robert Plant.

Meantime we're blessed with Windy City.

Rating 5/5 stars.