UK collection from the late, great British Blues artist. Key to the Highway echoes Kelly's favored style of a more acoustic, Delta-style Blues, preferring to utilize her huge voice, rather than have a loud backing band behind her. 'Levee Camp Holler' showcases Kelly's voice, whilst 'I Can't Be Satisfied' shows what a fine slide player Kelly was. Then again, her takes on Hank Williams 'You Win Again', Marvin Gaye's 'Can I Get a Witness' and Rufus Thomas' 'Walking the Dog' show that she was never afraid to take on something outside of the traditional blues arena. Most everything here was from before 1974, and six cuts that date from 1975 and there's also an interview with Kelly from 1988 as well. Given Kelly's somewhat checkered recording career, there is little doubt that Key to the Highway is as fine a collection of Jo Ann Kelly's work that you are likely to find. Superbird. 2011.
