Jeff's Best of 2022 - #9: Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway - Crooked Tree
I feel like we've been watching Molly Tuttle since her first release back in 2017, and seeing her grow and improve as a performer is always a joy. With a backing band and some beautiful, pure roots songs, Crooked Tree feels like the sort of album you've been waiting for.
It's easy, in theory, to see this album more for its collaborations than its heart and soul, but even if she has A-list roots musicians guesting throughout (whether it be Billy Strings on "Dooley's Farm," or Gillian Welch on a favorite song of the year in "Side Saddle") the parts don't overshadow the whole. It's a cool, confident record that deserves any and all praise it gets and more.
Worth it if you love bluegrass, worth it if you don't. Either way, it's one of the best of the year.
Songs of note: "Side Saddle," "Crooked Tree," "She'll Change," "Dooley's Farm"