In uncertain times, many people long for the comfort and familiarity of home. That's the underlying theme behind folksinger Michael Johnathon's latest, Homestead. The Lexington, Kentucky-based singer and songwriter's album is a solid, satisfying effort that's as comfortable and comforting as a rocking-chair on a porch.
Johnathon sings in a rich, warm voice somewhere between tenor and baritone, and plays guitar, banjo and mandolin. This is no solo effort, though; he has help from some of the top players in bluegrass, including Sam Bush, Rob Ickes, John Cowan, J.D. Crowe and Ronnie McCoury on several tracks. Elsewhere, what he refers to the Folkboy Orchestra -- Harsha Sen, Ben Sollee and Don Cornwell -- provide backing along with a number of other musicians. Homestead is a true team effort, something like an old-time barn-raising.
The songs are also marvelously comforting. The opener is "Winter's Eve," a celebration of the simple life. "America" is an ode to country life, the only track with electric instruments and a folk-rock beat. "Bells of Cold November" speaks of longing for the father he never knew. "Already Gone" is a bluesy love song, "Gambler's Grave" a minor-key mountain ballad, and "Appreciation" and "Masterpiece" sincere love songs, the latter possibly aimed at a daughter.
Nice touches are a couple of bluegrass instrumentals, including the closer, "Homer's Workshop," and the sprightly "MichaelB [sic] Rag," on which Ickes plays his dobro something like a mountain dulcimer and a cat named John Ragusa plays a mean jaw harp; it's not really a rag, though, but a medley of traditional tunes like "Arkansas Traveller" arranged by Johnathon.
Six of the tracks are gathered into two suites. "The Homestead Suite" opens with a peaceful and lovely instrumental called "Sunrise" featuring dobro and flutes; moves into the sentimental "Homestead" and finishes with an uptempo instrumental reel, "Suppertime." "The Crimson Rose Trilogy" also opens and closes with instrumentals -- "Conception" features a trio of mandolins and "Redemption" mandolins and flutes in a real old-time Americana sound. The middle number, "Garden," has a Baroque sound with mandolins and horns and vocals by Johnathon.
The most interesting track is the unfortunately titled "Ayatolla McHussein," which is a ... well, a bluegrass raga of sorts. It has tabla, dholak and sitar playing along with the cello, mandolin and bass of the Folkboy Orchestra and Johnathon on banjo, plus a sampled snippet or two of Arabic singing. The whole album is beautifully recorded and tastefully performed, a guaranteed treat for fans of acoustic Americana folk music.
