Darin and Brooke Aldridge
Faster and Farther
(Mountain Music)
North Carolina ‘s Darin and Brooke
Aldridge make beautiful music together, both as a happily married couple and as
performing partners, spreading the bluegrass on thick and with gusto.
The couple has charted on the Americana/Roots,
SiriusXM, Bluegrass and Gospel charts. They have received multiple nominations
from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), the Society for the
Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) and Inspirational Country
Music (ICM). Their music videos were heavily featured on CMT, GAC, Bluegrass
Ridge TV and The Bluegrass Situation. TV appearances include PBS, Great
American Gospel, The Bluegrass Road, Presley’s Country Jubilee, RFD-TV,
Rural-TV, Daystar Network, Blue Highways TV, Songs of the Mountain, Woodsongs
and Music City Roots.
Brooke’s voice soars. From the
first track, “Kingdom Come,” I had visions of Natalie Maines dancing through my
head, and sometimes she does indeed sound like the Dixie Chick. Of course, one
can spot many influences, from Emmylou Harris to Dolly Parton, but make no
mistake, Brooke is absolutely original.
Darin, a former member of the
Country Gentlemen, is equally adept at vocals as well as guitar and mandolin.
The album has something for everyone, wrapped up in lovely vocal harmonies and
near perfect instrumentation. “This River,” a John Cowan song, is a beautiful,
almost haunting ballad that finds the duo at the top of their game harmony and
vocal wise. It’s also nice to see Cowan himself on vocals and bass. Cowan shows
up later on the album helping out on another of his compositions, “Cumberland
Plateau.” “Kingdom Come,” the tune that kicks off the album is a serious
bluegrass throw down, and is followed by a heart felt gospel tune called “Fit
for a King.” Well, gospel may not be the correct category, but it is assuredly about faith.
The album is just packed with great
songs, including the beautiful “Someday Soon,” a standout track, and “Highway
of Heartache” features their friend Vince Gill adding some vocals, which he
also does for “Mountains in Mississippi,” a Dobro, banjo and fiddle romp with
killer harmonies.
“Eugene and Diane,” one of several
songs here penned by Carl Jackson, is nothing less than an excellent story
song. You can never go wrong with a love song, especially a sad one. The Pat
Flynn composition “Lila” is another great lyric of undying love and “Heaven
Just Got Sweeter for You” closes the album with a love song about love and loss
and faith. Absolutely beautiful.
-Michael Buffalo Smith
-Michael Buffalo Smith
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