​John McCutcheon (from the album Field of Stars

​John McCutcheon (from the album Field of Stars

​John McCutcheon (from the album Field of Stars available on Appleseed Productions, Inc) (by Bryant Liggett)
He’s got 45 albums under his belt and on the shelf. Reflective, passionate, and downright kitchen table friendly, John McCutcheon is a life-long Folkie whose sound on his latest, Field of Stars, hits all the Folk-buttons, from traditional to Celtic inspired ballads, stripped-down sounds and Appalachian-influenced string band narratives. No matter the style, John McCutcheon hits you in the head with heart and history.
The hominess starts with the opener in “Here” as McCutcheon presents a piano ballad that’s vivid with imagery of past instances from anyone’s life. Beautiful piano playing is prevalent on “The Hammer”, where McCutcheon nods to Hank Aaron and his home-run record; in four minutes and sixteen seconds he presents a song alongside a history lesson in baseball and civil rights. “Redneck” is another history lesson in a traditional Bluegrass cut, McCutcheon putting the labor uprising from the West Virginia mines to the music of Bill Monroe, and he again digs into civil rights and sports on “Peter Norman”, putting the narrative of Olympians Norman, John Carlos, and Tommie Smith to song.
There are also beautiful duets when John McCutcheon is joined by Carrie Newcomer on Field of Stars title track, Claire Lynch on “Only Ones Dancing”, which also features a lovely and lonely fiddle, while the album closer, “Blessing”, features the vocals of Windborne. The cut is a lovely, voice-only ballad of giving thanks with wonderful vocals.
This is an album to educate while also delivering a load of feeling, as John McCutcheon provides history and tales of home for your head and heart.  (by Bryant Liggett)
Listen and buy the music of John McCutcheon from AMAZON
 
For more information, please visit the John McCutcheon website