Album Review of
Where The Trees Know My Name

Written by Joe Ross
September 6, 2021 - 4:52pm EDT
Review Rating Star Review Rating Star Review Rating Star Review Rating Star

Raised in Cordell, Ky., Larry Cordle now makes his home in Nashville, and he’s assembled a cast of top-rated session players to produce an eclectic album that’s full of lyrically potent, emotionally moving and witty songs. “Sailor’s Regret” (by Johnny Williams) lays down a solid bluegrass groove to open the set, followed by a crowd-pleasing standard written by Michael Martin Murphey, “Cherokee Fiddle,” and a fresh-sounding cover of Harlan Howard’s “Pick Me Up on Your Way Down.” Cordle’s profoundly earthy vocals always seem comfortable with songs that have warm-hearted sentiments, and his self-penned songs deal out both humor and heartsickness. “Natural State” is a cute story of young love and discovery, and “Breakin’ on the Jimmy Ridge,” “The Farmer” and “The Devil and Shade Wallen” are songs with elements of mountain folklore and balladry sung with charmingly modest vocals and plainspoken lyrics. He even includes an original lullaby (“Sleepy Time”) for the album’s closer.  Along with a few up-tempo bluegrass numbers like “You’ve Walked on My Heart,” Cordle gives us a delightful, varied album with a little something folksy, bluegrassy and country for everyone.  (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)