Things She Couldn’t Get Over
Pinecastle, 2021
8/10
Listen to Things She Couldn’t Get Over
The 5 time IBMA Female Vocalist Of The Year and multiple Grammy nominee Dale Ann Bradley returns with another batch of bluegrass tunes, and she’s got Matt Leadbetter on guitar/vocals, Ethan Burkhardt handling bass and Kim Fox’s guitar/vocal talents, among others, to help illuminate Things She Couldn’t Get Over.
Bradley starts the listen with extremely melodic and harmonic “Living On The Edge”, where Ashby Frank’s mandolin prowess adds much to the rural setting, as does Aaron Bibelhauser’s backing vocals, and “Thing’s She Couldn’t Get Over” follows with a calmer pace of timeless beauty where Bradley’s expressive vocals are as fluid as ever.
Further along, “Yellow Creek” displays strong banjo from Mike Sumner as Ronnie Bowman’s pipes complement Bradley’s moving delivery, while “Falling Down” displays incredible finger picking in the poetic and eloquent album highlight. “Lost More Than I Knew”, another exceptional song, then pairs intimacy with playfulness where dynamic interplay between the guitars, bass and mandolin doesn’t disappoint.
Deeper yet, “L.A. International Airport” offers a warm and snappy bluegrass rocker, and the aptly titled “In The End” finishes the listen soft and elegant, where Bradley’s versatile voice tugs on the heartstrings with plenty of sincerity.
Bradley’s been busy in recent years with collaboration records as well as co-founding Sister Sadie, and thankfully her many projects aren’t taking away from her top notch solo work, as evidenced by yet another exceptional listen that all bluegrass enthusiasts will adore.
Travels well with: Bradley & Adair- Oh Darlin; Deanie Richardson- Love Hard Work Hard Play Hard