Very Merry Christmas
Pinecastle, 2022
8/10
Listen to Very Merry Christmas
The family band Williamson Branch make the most of their first holiday album with these 14 new recordings that includes a few originals and makes the most of their harmonic, bluegrass ways.
The title track gets the listen off to a very warm start, where Caroline Williamson’s fiddle and Anthony Howell’s banjo complement the very pretty vocal harmonies, and ‘God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” follows with a calmer approach that benefits from Chris Brown’s agile drums and Kadence Williamson’s well timed bass in the mood focused tune.
Approaching the middle, the bouncy spirit of “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” features Jimmy Fortune on lead vocals amid Buddy Hyatt’s playful keys, while “Coal In My Stocking”, an original, showcases Caroline’s sweet voice and skilled mandolin front and center, though Kevin Williamson’s harmony vocals and rhythm guitar sure do make an impression, too.
Closer to the end, the intimate “There’s A New Kid In Town” lands firmly in gospel territory with its religious wordplay and soothing musicianship, and “Sleigh Ride” will get your body moving to its infectious energy thanks to the crisp drums, free wheelin’ banjo and lively mandolin.
A record that you can listen to anytime of the year, the youngsters deliver like seasoned vets, and the band, as always, balance their craft with very fun, thoughtful and precise bluegrass.
Travels well with: Merle Monroe- Songs Of A Simple Life; Wilson Banjo Co.- Six Degrees Of Separation