Bronwyn

Rattlin’ Bones

Jalopy Records

Some of Nashville’s biggest hitters came out to assist Bronwyn Keith-Hynes and members of her touring ensemble on Rattlin’ Bones, the two-time IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year and Grammy winner’s recorded debut as simply Bronwyn. Bronwyn wrote or co-wrote every song for the album, a first for this rising star. In 2020, prior to joining Molly Tuttle’s acclaimed Golden Highway band, Bronwyn released her debut, Fiddler’s Pastime, which showcased her prowess on fiddle. On its follow-up, I Built a World, she introduced her singing voice, encouraged by her Golden Highway bandmates to do so. Well, Bronwyn can certainly sing as well as she plays. On Rattlin’ Bones, her beautiful, affecting voice and outstanding fiddle playing each surge within 13 splendid, highly appealing songs rooted in personal experience and imagination. As co-produced by Bronwyn and Brent Truitt of the SteelDrivers, each song crackles clearly with a fiery performance.

The album opens with “Sticks and Stones,” a one-two punch of Bronwyn’s fiddle and bluegrass luminary Bryan Sutton’s guitar applied to a freewheeling groove. The autobiographical lyrics by Bronwyn and Pat McLaughlin address a woman on the move, nothing holding her back. Acclaimed roots music singer Darrell Scott assists Bronwyn on the song’s irresistible chorus. “The Ride” takes a similar, but calmer route, the wistful melody ignited by the magnificent sawing by Bronwyn and the fleet-fingered picking of Sutton and dobro master, Jerry Douglas. Scott again illuminates the chorus alongside Bronwyn, who hits impressive high notes, making it difficult to believe she only recently had to be coaxed to sing.

And the hits keep coming. “Johnny Ray,” at once dark and upbeat, cleverly admonishes an unfaithful lover, and it adds Dominick Leslie, Bronwyn’s former Golden Highway bandmate to the pickin’ party on mandolin. Leslie stays for “Chasing Storms,” the title played out in a dramatic display of bluegrass virtuosity. “Gallatin Road,” written with McLaughlin about all the craziness that the famous Nashville byway somehow attracts, lightens the load again with an outlaw groove and harmonies by up-and-coming country singer, Timbo.

“Blink of an Eye” delves into progressive bluegrass territory admirably, Bronwyn shining brightly and wickedly in her solo. Another melancholy number follows with “Hold Me Down,” the harmonies enhanced by Lindsay Lou and Bronwyn’s husband and fellow fiddle champ, Jason Carter.

The high quality of the songwriting and the expertise of the musicians, the pacing of the album and its changes in tempo keep a listener riveted all the way. Another hallmark of a great album occurs when one of its best songs appears towards the finale. “Rainbow Trout,” a simple ditty again written with McLaughlin, conjures a lakeside picnic paradise by its luminous string-bending. Bluegrass music delivers that life-affirming sentiment like no other genre, and Bronwyn and her crew deliver it ideally.

Bronwyn states that she wanted to create an album of songs that she’d enjoy playing night after night, with room to stretch out on and improvise, and that a listener would enjoy turning up loud enough to rattle some bones. All missions accomplished. Rattlin’ Bones strikes the perfect balance between remarkable technique and full-flowered heart.

Tom Clarke for MAS

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