Music review: Sheryl Crow 鈥� 鈥楾hreads鈥�
Right from the start, Sheryl Crow had me hooked with 鈥淭uesday Night Music Club.鈥� The Missouri native鈥檚 1993 debut release featured infectious tracks such as 鈥淎ll I Wanna Do,鈥� 鈥淟eaving Las Vegas,鈥� 鈥淐an鈥檛 Cry Anymore鈥� and 鈥淪trong Enough.鈥�
Three years later, the singer-songwriter鈥檚 self-titled release followed with the hits 鈥淎 Change Would Do You Good鈥� and 鈥淚f It Makes You Happy.鈥�
These two albums would catapult Crow to stardom and serve as the foundation for a diverse and fruitful career.
For her 11th studio album, the 57-year-old Crow finds inspiration from the artists who influenced her throughout her storied musical journey.
Crow has stated that this will be her final album, although she promises to continue to perform and make new music in other formats.
With 鈥淭hreads,鈥� Crow gives it everything she鈥檚 got through a collaborative effort from an extensive list of talented friends on a spectacular set of 17 tracks, consisting of original arrangements as well as some intriguing covers.
Things get off to a rousing start with Stevie Nicks and Maren Morris joining Crow for a stirring performance on the country rocker 鈥淧rove You Wrong.鈥�
Chris Stapleton and Crow prove to be an enthralling pairing as the two deliver a whole lot of soul and blues during 鈥淭ell Me When It鈥檚 Over.鈥�
Things get funky and real in a hurry as Chuck D, Andra Day and Gary Clark Jr. join the party for 鈥淪tory of Everything.鈥�
Notable covers include Crow enlisting a little assistance from Eric Clapton, Sting and Brandi Carlile on an engaging version of George Harrison鈥檚 鈥淏eware of Darkness,鈥� a heartfelt offering with Keith Richards on the Richards and Mick Jagger penned 鈥淭he Worst鈥� and a spirited performance with Jason Isbell on Bob Dylan鈥檚 鈥淓verything Is Broken.鈥�
Originally written by Crow and later covered by Johnny Cash, the showstopper of the set comes on 鈥淩edemption Day.鈥� The song鈥檚 powerful lyrics are showcased with an exceptional performance from Crow and the added vocals of Cash. It鈥檚 an intoxicating combination that truly hits home as you can feel the relief expressed when freedom is finally experienced at the close of this haunting number.
Additional guest appearances by Joe Walsh, Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples, Lukas Nelson, Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, St. Vincent, Lucius, Emmylou Harris, James Taylor and Vince Gill help make 鈥淭hreads鈥� a sweet-sounding album adieu for Crow, who can now prepare for the next chapter of her artistic calling.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.