Field Of Stars
Folk Music, 2025
9/10
The 72 year old folk star John McCutcheon had intended to release this album in 2020, but shelved it to work on other projects.
“Here” begins the listen with warm piano from Jon Carroll and Stuart Duncan’s soft fiddle, where McCutcheon’s friendly voice guides the authentic storytelling, and the title track follows with a sublime duet with Carrie Newcomer that’s full of calm beauty.
Further along, “Stubby” recruits JT Brown’s fluid bass and harmony vocals for a hint of grit, while “At The End Of The Day” enlists a choir and Pete Kennedy’s well timed electric guitar via the uplifting album highlight.
Deeper still, “Tired” is a darker moment of blues nods, where moody lap steel guitar suits McCutcheon’s emotive pipes and “Blessing” exits with a hymn appeal that makes great use of a chorus by Windborne amid much grace and honesty.
This is McCutheon’s 45th album(!), and it’s yet another eloquent and timeless version of his inimitable folk songwriting.
Travels well with: Tom Paxton & John McCutcheon- Together; Sean Kiley- Postcards Of The Reckoning