Beautiful bluegrass with caring and “glass-half-full” words.
This is The David Mayfield Parade’s first album in 12 years after “The David Mayfield Parade” in 2010 and 2013’s “Good Man Down”. The group is a curious, puzzling and interesting mixture. There is one slightly “square” publicity photo of the group in sober jackets and ties looking unsmilingly like they are ready for church, but then videos of energetic live performances where their bluegrass rocks. There are serious lyrics, which often deal with religious faith, but then there are refreshingly silly promo videos where they don’t appear to take themselves too seriously at all.
The musicianship here is of a very high quality. The group is led by David Mayfield, who wrote most of the songs, on lead vocals and guitar. Ryan Wallen wrote three tracks, plays resophonic guitar and takes the lead on vocals, at times. Steven Moore wrote another of the tracks and has won national and state competitions on the banjo. Keith Wallen on mandolin is a seasoned bluegrass musician, and Graham Bell is on the upright bass, though he can also play piano and trumpet. All five also contribute to the fabulous harmonies that really help to make the songs work. Together, they have produced an album of very enjoyable, lively songs with great melodies and rousing choruses that grow on you over time.
Mayfield comes from a musical family. He played in his family’s bluegrass band and then in his sister Jessica Lea Mayfield’s group, including an appearance on The David Letterman Show. He has also played in Cadillac Sky, who, for example, have supported Mumford and Sons. He comes across as a “wacky” character who, influenced by his father, believes in the importance of showmanship and humour.
The words have a “glass-half-full” theme to them. ‘Daytime Moon’ suggests that people gaze upwards when one of these comes along and take the opportunity “to be happy and enjoy the day”. In ‘Face Your Life’, the singer takes pleasure in simple things: “I’m delighted by the dew upon the leaves/ The way the flowers bloom and the sky is blue” and urges a positive approach to life’s difficulties: “Embrace the pain and face your life”. ‘Time’s Winding Up’ takes an apocalyptic view of the world but, rather than urging political action to avoid this, seems to be more concerned with savouring the present. This reflects the group’s apparently apolitical views, which are seen elsewhere when they say that they “Don’t care if you voted/ Or who you voted for”. However, can anyone be truly apolitical and take no moral stance in the face of the behaviour of Trump and his policies?
The group’s publicity materials do not mention religion, but they must have strong faith as their lyrics are so religious, some almost hymnal, with regular thanks to God. In ‘Never Knew I Could’, Mayfield thanks God for helping him to be able to find love with his wife after thinking that he would never love again. In ‘At Your Throne’, he talks of past sins and of being reborn. The group seems to come from the loving and non-punitive wing of Christianity, with the stunning a cappella ‘The Old Bronson’ offering help and support to people in difficulty and ‘The Line’ urging love for “enemies and haters”.
Some non-religious readers may find the very strongly religious words here too much, but others may put this aside and enjoy the beautiful music and positive sentiments.
