Shannon McNally ★★★★ The Waylon Sessions BLUE ROSE/COMPASS. CD/DL/LP

On this gem of an album, McNally’s covers of the late outlaw country star feel as much a tribute to Waylon Jennings’ attitude and independent spirit as to his music. McNally, like Jennings, has no trouble inhabiting someone else’s songs. She’s equally convincing on the tough ‘manly’ material (doesn’t even change the gender on I’m A Ramblin’ Man) as on the tender ones (You Asked Me To). And the band – including Buddy Miller, Rodney Crowell, Lukas Nelson, Jessi Colter – is brilliant.