Something You Didn't Count On (Mountain Home, 2022)

Jaelee Roberts is one of the finest new voices on the bluegrass and country-bluegrass scene today. Though only 22, she has already accomplished more than many who are a decade or more her senior. The daughter of Danny Roberts, mandolin player and founding member of The Grascals bluegrass band, Jaelee is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She has been honored by SPGMA (The Society for Preservation of Bluegrass Music), and replaced the legendary, Dale Ann Bradley as lead singer of the all-female, supergroup Sister Sadie.

The album starts off with the title cut, a rousing, toe-tapper co-written by Roberts. The same goes for "You Can't Stop Me From Staying." Other top songs here include the gospel number, "I Owe Him Everything," Gram Parsons' "Luxury Liner" and "Lie to Me."

Roberts offers a top-notch treatment of "Landslide," the Stevie Nicks classic, with Vince Gill adding vocals. It's one of the best covers of this iconic tune, with very tasteful fiddle and banjo interludes. Nicks would be proud of what Roberts and company have done here.

This album is very well constructed from start to finish. Roberts' voice is very easy and enjoyable. There are stellar harmonies throughout, especially on "Lie To Me" with Kenny and Amanda Smith. The instrumentation is top-notch as well with Jimmy Mattingly on fiddle, Kristin Scott Benson on banjo, among other A-list players supporting, but not overpowering Roberts' vocals.