Folk lore and minstrel moments make for a rich time with Vance Gilbert, who weaves stories and music on this intimate and unpretentious session. The songs range from solo accompaniment as on the tender and personal “Wildflower” and a cute poem “The Day Before Christmas” and “Flyby” which highlight his avuncular and rich voice to larger ensembles with a rhythm section and Hammond organ supplied by Brad Hatfield on the gospel’d “Good Good Man” and the bluesy soul message on “Trust” with Stacey Wade at the keys. Lots of cozy picking and grinning as well on the charming down home “Another Great Day Above Ground” with a rich spiritual “When I Cross Over” revealing his Sunday School roots. A front porch delight to sit with and watch the world go buy.
Amanda Addleman joins together with a backing team of Lee Dynes/g, Ryan Lukas/b and Ben Lauffer/dr while she sings and plays piano to a mix of arranged standards and intimate originals. She has a folksy-indie lilt to her voice, working well with the personal lyrics as on the tender “Almost Gone” and the reflective “When The Lights Are Gone”. On keyboards, she gives a soulful R&B feel to Irving Berlin’s “Blue Skies” while bringing a traditional atmosphere to “There Is No Greater Love”. Almost all of the songs are contemplative stories about finding light in dark moments, like an optimistic version of Janis Ian.