Alison Brown and Steve Martin – Safe, Sensible and Sane

Banjo players, Brown and Martin, were enjoying playing and composing some songs and eventually had enough to make an album. They’d earlier worked together and had success with a couple of singles. The album’s an uplifting and tuneful affair expertly played and bursting with guest artists including Jackson Browne, Vince Gill, The Indigo Girls, Jason Mraz and Tim O’Brien. If the guest list is impressive then the backing musicians are top drawer; Stuart Duncan on fiddle lights up all the tracks as the rhythm thumps along underpinned by Todd Phillips’ bass.

Bluegrass is pure folk in its origins and there’s plenty of that here but Michael is pop with vocals from Aiofe O’Donovan and Sara Jarosz delivering a sweet and weaving duet. A video of the Brown and Martin playing at the famous Los Angeles Troubadour venue with Jackson Browne starts with an exchange that plays on their ages. Martin on entry turns to Browne and says “We have memories here, don’t we Jackson?”, Jackson, nonplussed replies “I don’t remember anything”. Turning to go Martin responds “Neither do I”. Martin, probably more widely known as a comedy actor, is 80 years old and Browne’s 77! Browne takes the vocal and sings of his life and his collection of a ‘box of memories’. A charming tale as Duncan’s wistful fiddle adds melancholy.

The single Bluegrass Radio sets off at a breathless lick and Martin humorously advises the incredulous listener about his improbable chart success in various States. Another single, 5 Days Out, 2 Days Back, with Tim O’Brien tells of life on the road as a musician where a young daughter waits patiently for his return. There’s also some near straight country on Wall Guitar (Since You said Goodbye), here Vince Gill wistfully sings of a departing lover and his solace with a guitar (off the wall.) The fiddle weaves some traditional country patterns if you had any doubts about the genre. Throughout the lyrics are contemporary with an absence the usual bluegrass ingredients; witches, murders and bodies dropped into deep wells. Nonetheless ancient celtic roots are never far away and the sweetest instrumental jam is between the ensemble and our own McGoldrick, McDrever and Doyle captivate with Evening Star.

I just felt an uncomplicated joy listening to this as it’s a consistent and beautiful excursion with bright fireworks of melodies all infused with a generally upbeat and affectionate vibe.