Dale Ann Bradley – Catch Tomorrow

Dale Ann Bradley was raised on unaccompanied church hymns in rural southeastern Kentucky near Renfro Valley, home of the Coon Creek Girls — the first all-female string band on the radio in the 1930s. Bradley’s uncle, who’d migrated to Detroit, brought country music tapes back to the Appalachians. One song from those tapes — the Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton hit “Holding On To Nothing” — shows up on this album.

Bradley eventually found her bluegrass niche and joined up with the New Coon Creek Girls. Such roots as Bradley’s are often touted “authentic” in this business, and they may have something to do with the ease of her sound. Her mountain-inflected soprano is a veteran’s voice, comfortably leading an impressive assembly of folks more interested in the integrity of the songs than pushing their picking — or vocals — to the limit. Larry Sparks, Jim Lauderdale, Stuart Duncan, Tim O’Brien, Alison Brown (the album’s producer), and the Irish group Lunasa join Bradley on sturdy, well-crafted bluegrass songs, original and arranged.

Bradley and her longtime writing partner Vicki Simmons contribute a captivating fast-paced tune titled “Run Rufus Run” about Bradley’s cousin Rufus delivering moonshine across the mountains. The disc’s first track, “Rita Mae”, is a rambling murder ballad, led by Pete Kelly’s banjo, about a girl who “led the wild life and never felt no shame.” Sparks and Bradley’s sweet vocals match well on the traditional hymn “Pass Me Not”. Elsewhere, she tackles classic fare from the likes of Billy Joe Shaver (“Live Forever”) and Kris Kristofferson (“Me And Bobby McGee”).

Although Bradley isn’t pushing any new boundaries, it’s clear that she’s deeply invested in her song’s stories. Unlike bluegrass that’s overpowered by instrumentals, Bradley’s music makes you want to listen to the tales she’s telling.