Shannon McNally

Given the incredible volume of CDs that are released on a weekly basis, it's inevitable that some really good ones evade detection by the masses. Such is the case with Geronimo, the latest disc by Shannon McNally, who's spent much of her career being punished for being difficult to pigeonhole...

By Michael Roberts

November 17, 2005

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Given the incredible volume of CDs that are released on a weekly basis, it's inevitable that some really good ones evade detection by the masses. Such is the case with Geronimo, the latest disc by Shannon McNally, who's spent much of her career being punished for being difficult to pigeonhole. A singer-songwriter whose work blends roots music, country and R&B rather than adhering to the rudiments of each genre, McNally signed to Capitol around 1997. Unfortunately, Jukebox Sparrow, the album she made for the label, didn't escape from the company's vault until 2002, and its uncategorizable nature ensured a quick commercial death. Geronimo, which came out in June on the Back Porch imprint, seems bound for the same fate, despite being even better. The disc is defiantly eclectic, but McNally is more than equal to the tasks placed before her; she's as convincing on "The Worst Part of a Broken Heart," the gruffly earnest opener, as she is throughout "The Hard Way," a Dylanesque rocker that overflows with sassiness. If quality dictated success, McNally, who's touring alongside Charlie Sexton, would have already achieved it. Instead, she's still waiting for the discovery she so thoroughly deserves.

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

Follow:

Facebook: 111180895657427

Twitter: @mikerobertscolo