The Gathering

On The Gathering, Diane Schuur interprets compositions by such legendary country songwriters as Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, and Hank Cochran with fresh ears and a sense of adventure. Schuur lifts these songs out of their original Nashville context while remaining true to the words and music. In her hands, “’Til I Can Make It On My Own” and “Nobody Wins” are given an uptown cabaret flair that only brings out their inner heartache. Similarly, “Beneath Still Waters” gains a bluesy grace that takes the song to unexpected places. Schuur’s caressing vocal style is an especially good fit for the smoldering “Why Can’t He Be You?” and the sadly swaying “When Two Worlds Collide.” Vince Gill and Alison Krauss stop by to lend their voices to “Today I Started Loving You Again” and “Don’t Touch Me,” respectively; jazz luminary Larry Carlton and rock icon Mark Knopfler apply their signature guitar touches on various tracks. Overall, The Gathering transcends musical genres by letting Schuur connect with its songs in terms of their meaning, rather than their pedigree.