Brenna MacMillan Dear Life
Brenna MacMillan is a Kentucky-raised artist who’s created an album with bluegrass and old timey overtones blended with modern and Americana sensibilities. It includes duets with Sarah Jarosz, Peter Rowan, Ronnie McCoury, Mary Meyer, James Kee and more; and Chris Scruggs on steel guitar. There’s lots to love, with songs that tell stories, songs about stories, and lovely violin and banjo.
On album opener, “What’s to Come?” Ronnie McCoury sings in duet with Brenna after it starts out with Brenna’s clear tones: “I grew up Kentucky born,” with musings to follow about watching fireflies, trains rolling by, and considering what life is all about over lively fiddle and mandolin. The vocals play off each other like they were made to be together.
Chris Scruggs makes appearances on the album on steel guitar, starting with “For Everything.” This song features Sarah Jarosz on vocals with Brenna. The banjo, steel guitar and the closely vibrating vocals result in a beautiful blend and a great song. “If we could stay like this we’ll make it through / some day I want to look back and see / that you were by side for everything.” This song is really great. Later Scruggs reappears on “Adelaide” which also features vocals by Theo MacMillan and James Key, and this song gently explores a relationship where one party is in pain and pushing someone away. Scruggs pedal steel is melodic in turns with fiddle and mandolin. “Some day you’ll feel better, Adelaide.”
Peter Rowan’s calling vocals that sound like they’re coming in on the wind to start “If You Dare,” and there’s foreboding, and Billy Contreras is on twin fiddles, Mary Meyer on electric mandolin and the arrangement is rich and a little walk on the dark side, slow and shadowy with Brenna on vocals carrying it all. This is a really interesting piece, with a unique point of view.
“Black Bear” sets up a driving bluegrass style bear song with lots of build up and intensity, as Brenna shares the vocals with Maddie Denton and James Kee.
Brenna gathers some real musical geniuses around her in this album and it’s all also a testament to her own genius and vision. A wonderful album, old timey folk with banjo, fiddle and mandolin weaved throughout song that are very well worth the listen. Find the music here on her website: https://brennamacmillan.bandcamp.com/album/dear-life
Dear Life was produced by Brenna MacMillan, recorded, mixed and engineered by Sean Sullivan, and mastered by Mike Monseur.
Musicians on the album are Brenna MacMillan on vocals and banjo; Ronnie McCoury on vocals and mandolin; Frank Evans on banjo; Mike Bub on bass; Jake Stargel on guitar; Maddie Denton on fiddle; Sarah Jarosz on vocals; Cory Walker on banjo; Matty Meyer on drum and percussions; Theo MacMillan on piano; Chris Scruggs on steel guitar; Billy Contreras on twin fiddles; Eddie Barbash on sax; Mary Meyer on vocals and electric guitar; Frank Evans on banjo; Jarrod Walker on mandolin; Jason Carter on fiddle; Jason Carter on fiddle; Gaven Largent on vocals; Harry Clark on Mando; Shelby Brewer on vocals; Christian Ward on fiddle; PJ George on Wurlitzer; and Mark Howard on mandolin.
