Bonny Light Horseman has followed up their excellent 2022 release, Rolling Golden Holy, with the group’s most natural-sounding music yet, the double album Keep Me on Your Mind/See You Free.
The core trio of Eric D. Johnson, Anaïs Mitchell, and Josh Kaufman have used the wind-swept shores of England and Scotland for inspiration in the past. Still, this time decided to take it up a notch by recording in Levis Corner House, a century-old watering hole in Ballydehob, a tiny coastal village in County Cork, Ireland. However, this isn’t a live album; while some of the coughs, pint-glass tinkling, and cheers can be heard at various points, the band also recorded and wrapped up the double album at their upstate New York’s Dreamland Recording Studios. This combo helps the band combine their historical folk music love with modern sonic touches.
Accompanied in both locales by JT Bates (drums), Cameron Ralston (bass), and a host of friends, the album feels well-worn, familiar, and never overloaded, even with its longer run time. Opening with the sparse “Keep Me on Your Mind,” the mood is set as Mitchell and Johnson’s pristine vocals work blissfully well together over the stripped-down sounds.
Bonny Light Horseman can push the tempo and instrumentation into light indie rock waters such as on “I Know You Know”, swelling closer “See You Free,” and “The Clover,” which use layers of sound and upbeat tempos winningly but the group’s sweet spot is in their love of all thing’s folky. “Lover Take It Easy” brings in soothing tenor sax from Mike Lewis, upright bass from Annie Nero, and soaring “ooooh’s” from Johnson, while the soft, reflective “Don’t Know Why You Move Me” is easy rolling with Mitchell sounding glorious.
The band dips into a touch of Celtic folk with banjo and mandolin accents (as well as the Levis Town Choir) on “Hare and Hound” while multi-instrumentalist Kaufman shines on the light, country twanging “Waiting and Waiting.” Soft jazz inflections also keep things interesting on both “Your Arms (all the Time)” and “When I Was Younger,” which wraps with a soaring finale, while “Speak To Me Muse” has a dash of Paul Simon lyricism mixed in with warm horns and a rising sound.
Kaufman produced the album, and his more modern sonic choices, which are reflective of The War On Drugs, arrive on both the engaging “Tumbling Down” and “Old Dutch,” which is the weakest track here as things are overcooked musically behind the lyrics that are a touch cliché. However, the rest of Keep Me on Your Mind/See You Free feels so effortless it is a triumph. From the tender, harmonium colored “Into the O” to the graceful “Singing The Mandolin” to the ancient-sounding ode “Rock The Cradle,” the songs sound natural as if they have been passed down for generations.
That attention to sonic details and layers of instrumental touches, combined with the harmonious vocal connection, deft songwriting, and easy-rolling charm, makes Keep Me on Your Mind/See You Free Bonny Light Horseman’s most complete album to date and a joy to experience.
