Shine a Light: Field Recordings from the Great American Railroad

The two troubadours don't miss a trick bringing sepia-tinged majesty and tragedy back to life. [Nov 2016, p.102]

From “Rock Island Line”, to their incredible takes on “The Midnight Special” and “Hobo’s Lullaby”, and beyond, Bragg and Henry’s latest is a resounding statement on the foundation of one of the greatest achievements of American backbone and its influence on the world.

Acoustic guitar and the occasional harmonica are the only instruments used and in this case, less is definitely more. [Aug-Sep 2016, p.71]

The result is a beautifully atmospheric travelogue on which their voices and guitars, plus occasional harmonica, are accompanied by nothing more than the sound of the rails humming and a whistle blowing. [Oct 2016, p.34]

The pair celebrate the (literal) tracks that made America, but also lament the railroad’s decline with tenderness on Jean Ritchie’s The L&N Don’t Stop Here Anymore.

These are songs recorded tens, if not hundreds, of times before, and are by no means definitive versions, but in the attempt to capture something of the historical importance of the railroad, Shine A Light’s songs tell their own story; one which will prove excellent company on any similar expeditions, whether across the plains or the 08.16 to Euston.