Tracy Nelson Life Don't Miss Nobody BMG

What qualifies veteran singer Tracy Nelson's newest album, Life Don't Miss Nobody, as a "surprise" is not that it's chock-full of quality songs from Ms. Nelson and a host of special guests, but more it's because of how strong her voice comes across considering she's not far from her octogenarian years. Add the quality of songs that were selected and the guests joining here, and this new album is the bomb.

Nelson's voice is especially strong on the opening cut, a cover of Sister Rosetta Tharpe's iconic gospel number, "Strange Things Happening Every Day." Keyboard genius Kevin McKendree lays down the requisite gospel piano notes. We will hear much more from McKendree throughout the album, as his accompaniment and solos are just one of many highlights here. Nelson's longtime harmonica player Mickey Raphael shows up on many of the songs, including this one, adding a slow, haunting sound to Doc Pomus' "There Is Always One More Time," best known for the rendition once done by New Orleans singer Johnny Adams. McKendree's gospel piano work and a choir of background singers takes this version to church.

We are only into two of the 13 songs on Life Don't Miss Nobody, and the purchase price has already been justified .

But wait, there's more!

"Life Don't Miss Nobody" opens with a guitar solo that's reminiscent of Carlos Santana's "Black Magic Woman" before heading south of the border for a slow, spooky number that has a mariachi-style horn section and appropriate string work on 12-string acoustic guitar and cuatro from Larry Chaney, percussion on congos and guiro from Mike Dysinger, and plenty of tasteful horns. What an outstanding original song, co-written by Nelson and Dysinger!

Jontavious Willis joins in on Sonny Boy Williamson's straight-ahead Delta blues, "Your Funeral And My Trial," contributing resonator guitar and sharing vocals. Doug Mosher's haunting clarinet work takes the lead on Ma Rainey's ragtime tune, "Yonder Come The Blues," and McKendree chips in a nice jazzy piano solo.

Ms. Nelson once did a well-received album with Marcia Ball and Irma Thomas, and the three wonderful ladies team up again on Naomi Neville's "Did My Part," an up-tempo blues that lasts just over two minutes but packs in a lot of sound, including more stellar piano work from McKendree. Nelson's voice does most of the heavy lifting on the traditional, dirge-like "Hard Times," also playing the 12-string acoustic guitar parts while Steve Conn adds an effective accordion solo.

A bucket list item was fulfilled with Ms. Nelson getting to perform with non-relative Willie Nelson (yeah, the really famous singer) on the Hank Williams standard number "Honky Tonkin'," as country as you would expect. Back to the blues on the very slow Willie Dixon composition, "It Don't Make Sense," with Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica, a nice piano solo by McKendree, and a dirty guitar solo from Mike Henderson.

Sax player Terry Hanck arrives to add to the mix on "Compared To What," a jazzy protest song originally a hit for Les McCann and Eddie Harris, with the subject matter still very relevant in today's conflicted society. Besides blowing his horn, Hanck also steps up to the mic to add his vocals. McKendree shows his versatility by contributing jazzy piano solos.

Nelson booms out the vocals to the soulful and inspirational ballad, "Where Do You Go (When You Can't Go Home)," one that she co-wrote with Marcia Ball. Jim Pugh helps to give it that church-like sound on organ, with a choir of background singers in the loft on this wonderful song.

Ball and Irma Thomas are back to share vocals with Nelson on Chuck Berry's "Brown Eyes Handsome Man." Reba Russell, Dianne Davidson, and Vickie Carrico shout out backing vocals throughout the song, while McKendree summons his inner Johnnie Johnson on piano.

Wrapping up this very fine album is a solo version of "Hard Times," which I like better than the previous band version. Nelson's voice is extra strong here as she accompanies herself on 12-string acoustic guitar. A great finish to one of the best collections of tunes you will hear this year.

Tracy Nelson is a gem to be cherished, as is Life Don't Miss Nobody. It will undoubtedly show up on multiple Best Album lists for the year.

--- Bill Mitchell