There is an immediate warmth to the self-titled debut from Bonny Light Horseman, the newly formed indie supergroup featuring singer/songwriter Eric D. Johnson (Fruit Bats), Tony-winning Hadestown creator Anaïs Mitchell, and multi-instrumentalist Josh Kaufman (Yellowbirds). The concept of the trio’s first release was to find, revive and record traditional folk songs that were pasted down through the ages, many of which have roots that are hundreds of years old. The album is filled with hazy atmospheric arrangements brought to life with the breathtaking vocals and harmonies of Johnson and Mitchell, who trade lead vocal duties throughout the album. Album highlights include: a tale of love and loss on “The Roving”; a story of sex, lies and shame on “Blackwaterside”; a lively take of African-American spiritual “Children, Go Where I Send Thee” on “Jane”; the graceful Appalachian folk song “Bright Morning Stars”; the stunning track “Deep in Love”; and the horns-tinged tale of lost love on “Lowlands.” The Bonnie Light Horseman album is near perfect, extremely polished, and refreshes/continues the long linage of these songs for new and future generations. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Fruit Bats, Hiss Golden Messenger, Eric D. Johnson, Anaïs Mitchell, Andy Shauf