Various Artists
Walkin’ After Midnight – The Music of Patsy Cline

Patsy Cline was, and is, the indisputable queen of country music. She was also one of the first country singers to cross over to the popular musical mainstream. While there were any number of iconic artists who followed in her wake, Cline, who died tragically in a car crash in 1963 at the age of only 30, clearly set a high bar that still remains intact today. The songs she recorded — “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “Always,” “Crazy,” “Sweet Dreams,” and “I Fall To Pieces,” among the many — remain indelible standards as far her contemporary credibility is concerned.

It’s hardly surprising, then, that an exceptional array of guest performers chose to participate in this heartfelt salute recorded live at the fabled Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, a bastion of country music in and of itself. The list of luminaries that shared the stage that night includes Mickey Guyton, Tami Neilson, Crystal Gayle, Beverly D’Angelo, Grace Potter, Pam Tillis, Ashley McBryde,  Wynnona, Kristen Chenow, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, and many of them used the occasion to testify to Cline’s influence and inspiration. So too, the songs they selected do justice to Cline’s memory and their own taste in the interpretation.

As a result, Cline’s spirit hangs heavy over the proceedings, and so too, it’s a credit to each of the participants that they don’t try to tamper with the template while singing the songs much in the same way they were originally recorded. A combination CD and Blu-ray, the two discs reflect the emotional impact of these performances, as shared by both the artists and the audience.

Consequently, Walkin’ After Midnight – The Music of Patsy Cline is not only an essential acquisition for the fans and followers who retain their dutiful devotion to this exceptional artist more than 60 years after her reign at the top of the charts, but also for any newcomers who are getting the first taste of her talents second-hand. Either way, Walkin’ After Midnight retains a steady stride, making it a fitting testament to Cline’s incredible career.