EG Kight - Takin' It Easy (2004)

Anyone who can cover Duke Ellington and the Allman Brothers on the same disc and make both fit seamlessly into the whole has something going for them. And former country singer E.G. Kight certainly does it all right on Takin' It Easy. By using a mostly acoustic setting for her songs -- both original and covers -- she puts the emphasis exactly where it should be -- quite squarely on her vocals. As she's often proved since turning to the blues in 1995, she has a remarkably soulful lilt to her voice, and it shines very well on "Wish You Were Here" and "Southbound." She's also developed into an adept writer, whether it's on the relaxed bear-it-all of the title track or "Nothin' Ever Hurt Me." Backed by an excellent band, and with guests who are sometimes surprising (such as Chris Hicks from the Marshall Tucker Band), she's turned in a piece of work that shows her continuing to grow as singer, songwriter, and artist.