Nashville’s history and culture is felt throughout the sibling duo’s second album.
A deep sense of history, along with an appreciation of fine songwriting, form the backbone of “In Good Company,” the second album from Tennessee’s Brother and The Hayes. Siblings David Bingaman and Jennie Hayes Kurtz immersed themselves in Nashville’s culture years prior to becoming an active musical duo in 2017. Bingaman worked at the famed songwriters’ hangout, the Bluebird Café, while Kurtz designed exhibits and developed education programs for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The influence of this experience is keenly felt in each of the album’s ten songs.
The earnest country folk tune ‘Nashville Traffic‘ looks back at the pair’s family roots firmly established in the city, as well as the pleasures and pain of present-day urban existence. A soulful B3 organ struts through ‘Oh Glory,’ a sprightly rumination on enjoying life’s journey beyond the distractions of modern society. ‘Carolyn‘ is an intimate waltz tribute to an imposing, yet remarkable mentor that Kurtz worked with at the museum. The bopping swing of ‘Ouachita Wind‘ has Bingaman and Kurtz’s sparing vocals as they reel through sweet childhood memories of summers spent with their grandparents. And a relaxed Tex-Mex mix of clarinet, fiddle, and accordion wistfully evokes a lazy Texas afternoon in ‘Hill Country Wine.’
The highlight of “In Good Company” is the heartfelt ‘Radio Waves,’ Bingaman’s reminiscence of hearing about John Prine’s 2020 passing as lockdown began. The sad news arrived as Bingaman was in peaceful isolation in the woods near a Chattanooga radio tower. ‘Radio Waves‘ is both a moving thank you to the songwriting master and a startling reminder of how tragic the world had become. Even its lyrical cadence carries Prine’s poetic rhythm.
“High up above my own little mountain
These radio waves make my hair stand on end
Climb the antenna, gonna sing you a new one
Wondering when this message will reach you my friend”
