A Shot of Whiskey and a Prayer

The sophomore effort of singer/songwriter Danni Leigh, A Shot of Whiskey & a Prayer, is a consistent collection of material that combines Leigh's sultry vocal prowess with an impressive musical accompaniment. A distinct Western flavor is evident here, especially in tunes like "Shiver of Lonesome," where one can almost see imaginary tumbleweed roll across the deserted streets of a ghost town. The strum of the electric guitar adds an extra edge to the collection that rings of "old meets new." The cuts on this album are varied, offering a balanced mix of slow and upbeat. "Honey I Do," Leigh's first single released to radio, is probably the most commercial of the songs on the album; the rest are hardcore country that, unfortunately, may not be received with open arms by country radio. Leigh delivers a very moving performance with "Back in Your Arms Again," a touching ballad about loss of trust between a woman and man. "What'cha Gonna Do" is an excellent cut with an exceptional chorus. A powerful instrumental, especially in regard to guitar, makes this the standout of the collection. A Shot of Whiskey & a Prayer is decidedly a country album. A country-pop audience might find the album a bit too traditional for their taste, but lovers of pure country with an appreciation for old-fashioned heartbreak songs will find this a welcome addition to their music collection. All in all, this is a very commendable album.