Colleen Rennison is Canadian through and through, drawing many of the covers on her new album from fellow Canadians like Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell and Robbie Robertson.
But she was also clearly raised on Aretha Franklin, Etta James and Loretta Lynn.
And, don’t get the idea this is a tribute album. With her big, soulful voice, Rennison is foremost an interpreter. “Stage Fright” and “Whisky, Whisky,” with their horns and funky keyboards are straight out of Memphis. And, Mitchell’s “Coyote” is a blend of Nashville twang and smoky New York jazz.
Some Yanks also get some love. Booker T.’s “My Crew” becomes a sweet little ballad. Bobby Gentry’s “Fancy” gets a Creedence Clearwater Revival treatment and Townes Van Zandt’s “White Freightliner” gets a workover.