Full artist-to-artist tributes have become increasingly rare, but still produce spectacular contemporary results on occasion. Local roots maven Brennen Leigh finds new room for interpretation of Corsicana-born country music icon Lefty Frizzell 40 years after his death. Leading with yearning hit “I Love You a Thousand Ways,” her vocal swoon polishes the twang of fiddle and rural rhythms, then loosens along with an ace band on the easy jump of “Mama” and “You Gotta Be Putting Me On.” A breathy “How Far Down Can I Go” sways into Leigh’s effortless lower range, while “Mom and Dad’s Waltz” and “Saginaw Michigan” pull pure tenderness. The hostess keeps touches of the classic arrangements in backing choruses and steel guitar, inhabiting this set as thoroughly her own, especially the lowdown lope of “What You Gonna Do Leroy” and swell of “You Don’t Have to Be Present to Win.”
This article appears in December 25 • 2015.
