Ed Snodderly Baggage Flies Free
Need To Know, 2026
9/10
ES Pearl, AKA Ed Snodderly, brings us 13 original, folk fueled songs that feature a handful of esteemed players and occasionally surround a conversation between a squirrel and a rabbit.
“Coming Down This Road” opens the listen with animated fingerpicking and Snodderly’s warm voice alongside Tim O’Brien’s colorful mandolin playing, and “Willow Green” follows with a lush mood via the warm guitar playing and heartfelt singing that reminds us of the first signs of spring.
Halfway through, “For Another” recruits Kenny Vaughn’s fluid guitar amid the talking and singing that pays tribute to Malcolm Holcombe, while “See You In The Morning” is heartfelt moment of poetic storytelling thanks to the cozy guitar and romantic singing of the album’s best.
Residing late in the listen, “The Grandest Tail” showcases rhythm and grooves via the bluegrass tinted energy that’s infectious, and “It’s Christmas Again” exits with a holiday tune of a different kind that's soulful and intimate.
The vocalists include Amythyst Kiah, O’Brien, Verlon Thompson and Eugene Wolf, who help illustrate Snodderly’s country, roots and folky ways with much charm and memorableness.
Travels well with: Dave Gunning- Field Notes; Tom Chapin- Songs Of Hope