Promised Land
Pinecastle, 2023
9/10
The Ireland native Danny Burns is in some excellent company here, including Sam Bush and Bryan Simpson, to name a couple, as these 10 new tracks illustrate his thoughtful version of bluegrass superbly.
The emotive and elegant “Someone Like You” opens the listen with Burns’ warm voice alongside Scott Vestal’s precise banjo, and “Field Of Gold” follows with Billy Contretas contributing stirring fiddle to the intimate climate.
The middle track belongs to the harmonic interaction of “Some Might Say”, where the expressive singing is quite alluring, while “Danny Boy” puts a sublime bluegrass spin on the classic thanks to Tim O’Brien’s poetic string prowess.
Approaching the end, “Magnolia Wind” enters dreamy territory via the flowing vocals, cautious strings and Ethan Burkhardt’s meticulous bass, and "Living In The Promiseland” exits with Justin Schipper’s aching pedal steel that adds much power to the album highlight.
A very diverse affair that embraces accordion and singing from O’Brien, Dennis Parker, Simpson, Aine Burns and Bush, too, this is a very moving and cultured version of bluegrass.
Travels well with: Tim Raybon Band- I Could Get Used To This; Dale Ann Bradley- Kentucky For Me