Heroes And Friends
Bonfire, 2024
8/10
The banjo extraordinaire and singer-songwriter Daniel Grindstaff brings along an incredible cast and some very well known names for these 10 bluegrass fueled songs.
“Finnland” starts the listen with Andy Leftwich’s swift fiddle that complements Jesse Brock’s glowing mandolin in the rich delivery, and “Forever Young” follows with an intimate spirit that benefits much from Dolly Parton and Paul Brewster’s gorgeous pipes that illuminate the mountain-esque take on the classic.
In the middle is where “When You’re Smiling” lands, and it recruits Trey Hensley’s fluid guitar and Ken Blanton’s meticulous bass for much melody, while “Jesse James” brings Doyle Lawson’s agile mandolin to the picking dynamics of the harmonic album highlight.
“The Last Old Dollar” and “Three Arrows” exits the listen, where the former showcases Kevin Richardson and Shawn Lane’s soaring voices amid the meticulous bluegrass mood and the latter allows for Grindstaff’s animated banjo to shine alongside Stephen Burwell’s fiddle.
Grindstaff has an incredible resume working with the best of the best, and this impressive effort is full of the kind of bluegrass that will age well and always be relevant.
Travels well with: The Roe Family Singers- Sisters & Brothers; Circus No. 9- Circus No. 9