No one listening to the magical combination of Darin and Brooke Aldridge’s vocal performances should wonder why Brooke has been named IBMA’s female vocalist of the year three years in a row. In the same way that siblings often achieve “blood harmony,” these two play off each other’s voices in a way that seems only to happen when singers know each other so well, putting in the time to get the most out of their vocals. Their vocal blend and strategic song selection, backed up by strong instrumentalists, is at the top of the game in their November release Inner Journey from Rounder Records.
While Brooke penned “Someone’s Everything,” a mother’s wise words to her daughter, “Always remember you’re somebody’s everything,” most of the songs are their interpretation of others’ songs, selected to highlight their particular strengths. They open with “I Found Love,” first heard on Earl Scruggs’ Family and Friends album, penned by Earl and Randy Scruggs with Vince Gill.
They achieve a balance between songs by newer country singers and groups—Kasey Chambers and Swedish duo Johanna and Klara Söderberg, recording as First Aid Kit—and solid classics: The Louvin Brothers’ “Every Time You Live” is a strong addition to the recording as their beautiful harmonies are accented by Darin’s instrumental touch on mandolin and guitar. They also deliver a powerful rendition of “Your Lone Journey,” the timeless, tender song first recorded by Doc Watson and written with his wife Rosa Lee.
Darin and Brooke’s song selection on this album fit comfortably in the bluegrass and country genre without crossing the line into drinking and cheating songs. These are stories of struggles, love, heartbreak, and survival. Brooke’s vocal lead captures the poignancy of Nanci Griffith’s classic, “Trouble in the Fields,” penned with Rick West. They also deliver a rollicking rendition of Richard Thompson’s “Tear-Stained Letter.”
A welcome surprise is their interpretation of the Crosby, Stills and Nash hit, “Teach Your Children,” which works so well that listeners may wonder why CSN didn’t add a little pedal steel, banjo, and fiddle to the original. They artfully switch back and forth between lead and harmony on the sixties standard.
On Inner Journey, Darin and Brooke Aldridge have a stellar lineup of musicians and singers, including Aubrey Haney on fiddle, Billy Gee on bass, Rob Ickes on dobro, Zeb Snyder on guitar, and Jimmy Fortune and Carley Arrowood on vocals.
The powerful dynamics between the couple are strongest when paired with lyrics that seem to capture their magic, such as “Sweet Companion ” and “Emmylou” by the Soderbergs”:
I’ll be your Emmylou and I’ll be your June
if you’ll be my Gram and my Johnny too.
No, I’m not asking much of you–
Just sing, little darling, sing with me.
No doubt, judging by Inner Journey, Brooke and Darin are making their place among those iconic country duos.