Folk music icon John McCutcheon continues to inspire new generations
The title track, co-written with Carrie Newcomer, draws inspiration from the Camino de Santiago, reflecting McCutcheon’s personal pilgrimage plans to honor his late brother. Songs like 'Hell and High Water' chronicle the devastation of the 2022 Kentucky flood, showcasing McCutcheon’s ability to narrate current events with emotional resonance.
The Georgian McCutcheon’s favorite sport is baseball, so it’s only fitting that he pays tribute to Hank Aaron in “The Hammer,” namedropping a bevy of legends as well in the song.
The ornate and sonorous hammered dulcimer, an instrument of ancient heritage, boasts mesmerizing strings finely stretched over a resonant sound board that takes on a striking trapezoidal form. This percussion-stringed marvel commands the presence of the musician, who, in adherence to more traditional styles, may assume a tranquil cross-legged position on the floor, or in a contemporary approach, stand or sit gracefully at a wooden support endowed with elegant legs. With consummate skill, the musician wields a pair of delicate spoon-shaped mallet hammers, each cradled in a hand, to coax enchanting melodies from the dulcimer's responsive strings.
McCutcheon’s collaboration with renowned musicians like Stuart Duncan, Tim O’Brien, and Jon Carroll also enriches the album’s soundscape, with instruments like the hammer dulcimer, fiddle, and banjo creating a blend of intimacy and grandeur. Tracks such as 'Too Old to Die Young,' a reflective birthday ode, and 'Blessing,' featuring the Windborne vocalists, add personal and communal touches to the record.
The album’s design, accompanied by Bob Pangle’s photography and Maureen Breier’s packaging, further reflects McCutcheon’s dedication to detail and quality. Over more than four decades, McCutcheon has remained a steadfast voice in folk music, preserving its traditions while infusing it with fresh perspectives.
It invites listeners to reflect, connect, and journey through shared stories, cementing his legacy as a master storyteller and folk music icon.