What becomes a legend most? If the legend is , it's singing hard country music with the grace and authority that made her a star in the 1960s, and at the age of 82 she's issued her 55th album that shows she still has the talent and the voice she possessed in her glory days. 2024's finds paying homage to some of the other legends of the golden age of honky tonk music, interpreting songs originally recorded by the likes of ("Beneath Still Waters"), ("World of Forgotten People"), ("The Fugitive"), ("Country Girl"), ("If You Won't Tell on Me [I Won't Tell on You]"), ("End of the World"), and more. Sixty years on from "Once a Day," her first hit, 's voice is in superb condition -- the slight grain her instrument has acquired over the years only adds to the authority of her performances, and she can still make weepers tug at your heart, playful love songs sound spunky, and songs of pride in who she is sound like heartfelt statements of purpose. In many respects this could pass for one of 's classic LPs of the '60s in both strength and execution. She is fortunate to have a fan in husband , who as producer understands 's abilities and documents them with respect and without excess gingerbread. 's excellent road band back on these sessions, and they emulate the polished honky tonk sound of her glory days with ease, while legendary Nashville sessionmen (on pedal steel guitar) and on piano also lend their talents to these songs. ( ' contributions were among his last performances before his death in January 2022.) This far into her career, knows who she is and what she does best, and she makes no effort to change that on . And when you're one of the greatest country singers of your generation and still able to deliver like you did in your prime, why on earth would you want to? ~ Mark Deming