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Album Thoughts

Bonny Light Horseman is a perfect blend of raw emotion and magical storytelling. This raw folk album features three established folk artists collaborating to form a supergroup called “Bonny Light Horseman.”

The album’s intro is a slow, swaying song filled with angelic harmonies and a gorgeous open-tuning guitar that adds depth without the need for a big band. Subtle jazz drumming, violin, and saxophone create a sense of peace throughout the song. This foundation supports a beautiful story about a lover mourning her partner’s death during the Napoleonic War.

“Deep in Love” was the first song I heard from the album. I discovered it while watching a movie as the final song played over the end credits. From the moment I heard it, I was captivated and immediately researched the artist. There’s something striking about this song – a pulse that drives it while allowing the music to breathe, giving each instrument a crisp, clear sound. The nylon guitar forms the song’s main foundation, playing a loose flamenco style, while the other guitar’s strumming pattern provides a beautiful contrast. The song’s beautifully composed arrangement invites repeated listens, revealing hidden treasures with each listen.

“The Roving” is a sultry folk song with incredibly crisp drum production. The ride sounds warm and inviting, complemented by a deep snare and bass-driven guitar.  It’s as if they’ve removed the highs from the guitar, creating a striking contrast. The lyrics are cold and heartbreaking, telling the story of a partner losing their love due to infidelity or being described as “The Roving, The Roving Of Her Eye.”

Like most folk music, this song is a lullaby. The melodic repetition of “Jane, Jane” lyrics, along with what sounds like them professing love and planning their future together, creates a soothing effect. The song builds to a powerful crescendo until it reaches a poetic conclusion: “Hey, Hey, My Lovely Love / I’m gonna buy three little bluebirds / One for her to weep, one for her to mourn / one for her to pray when I’m gone.”

Midway through the album, the pace really slows down. The lyrics become more heartfelt and harmonies are layered over a very slow tempo. The background harmonies in “Blackwaterside” are airy, while the soft harmonica and guitar in “Lowlands” evoke the warmth of a whisky beside a crackling fire. 

While “Bright Morning Stars” is lyrically beautiful, I find it difficult to enjoy. It feels flat and I struggle to get through it every time it plays. While there’s something beautiful about the lyrics and the message of the song, I feel it lacks soul and sounds a bit winey.

This is a gorgeous album perfect for winding down on a late night. It’s great for letting the music wash over you as background music or for really diving into the lyrics and production. It’ll always please you and leave you feeling warm, despite the fact that it’s not groundbreaking.

Track List

1. Bonny Light Horseman (feat. Eric D. Johnson, Josh Kaufman, & Anais Mitchell)
2. Deep In Love (feat. Eric D. Johnson, Josh Kaufman, & Anais Mitchell)
3. The Roving (feat. Eric D. Johnson, Josh Kaufman, & Anais Mitchell)
4. Jane Jane (feat. Eric D. Johnson, Josh Kaufman, & Anais Mitchell)
5. Blackwaterside (feat. Eric D. Johnson, Josh Kaufman, & Anais Mitchell)
6. Magpie’s Nest (feat. Eric D. Johnson, Josh Kaufman, & Anais Mitchell)
7. Lowlands (feat. Eric D. Johnson, Josh Kaufman, & Anais Mitchell)
8. Mountain Rain (feat. Eric D. Johnson, Josh Kaufman, & Anais Mitchell)
9. Bright Morning Stars (feat. Eric D. Johnson, Josh Kaufman, & Anais Mitchell)
10. 10,000 Miles (feat. Eric D. Johnson, Josh Kaufman, & Anais Mitchell)