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Following their 2011 breakout bluegrass hit Lonesome Whistle, the sibling duo of Lee and Elaine Roy probe deeper into their songs on New Day Dawning, and that’s saying something. Bridging country and bluegrass, The Roys focus lyrically on family and faith, the twin themes by which the principals define themselves. With a band featuring dobro master Randy Kohrs, guitarist Cody Kilby, fiddler/mandolinist Andy Leftwich, and banjo man Justin Moses, the duo kicks up its heels in the barnburning “Still Standing,” with Elaine’s Rhonda Vincent- ish mountain cry retailing a message about rising above crippling personal travails as Leftwich heats up the track with his fiery fiddling. But the best moments are the more introspective ones. Memories of a sepia-toned childhood are resurrected when Lee sings plaintively of a post- funeral visit to “Grandpa’s Barn,” a thoughtful, rustic ballad with lovely sung harmonies and a keening Leftwich fiddle solo; similarly, “Windin’ Roads” is a folk- flavored ballad of homecoming featuring Lee’s warm, reflective vocal in a spare setting keyed by Kilby’s fingerpicked acoustic guitar and Moses’ sturdy banjo. As warm and full as the songs are deeply felt, the sonics draw the listener up close and personal.
By David McGee
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