Cumberland Bones
Self-Released, 2021
10/10
A Nashville native who has enjoyed a lengthy and impressive career in music that often involves being just out of the spotlight, Stephen Flatt has been assembling a catalog of original songs along the way, and they come to fruition on these 10 diverse and well thought out tunes.
“Brother” starts the listen with Flatt’s warm, soothing pipes guiding the well thought out Americana and country influenced climate, and “Hold You Tonight” follows with rustic, breezy melodies as Kenny Vaughn’s spirited guitar work and Pete Abbott’s crisp percussion make a big impression amid soulful backing vocals.
Elsewhere, “White County Shine” moves with a swift, bluegrass approach where Charlie Cushman’s banjo acrobatics and Flatt’s diverse singing will get your body moving, while “Satellite” flows with a folk quality amid vivid storytelling that benefits from Steve Hinson’s well timed pedal steel. “El Camino”, a late album highlight, then brings quick fiddle from Deanie Richardson as vocal harmonies and honky tonk ideas unfold with much charm.
Close to the end, the rugged “Talking Like The Devil” offers a thick bar room rocker, and “Gone Away” exits the listen with a cautious, heartfelt finish of piano from Vaston Brooks to punctuate the lush beauty.
Flatt comes from a musical family as the bluegrass legend Lester Flatt is his great uncle, and though this might be his debut solo album, his lengthy background in recording and performing certainly gives him quite an advantage on what will likely be one of the best country albums of 2021.
Travels well with: Dave Alvin- From An Old Guitar: Rare And Unreleased Recordings; Steve Earle & The Dukes- Ghosts Of West Virginia