All You Need Is Music marks a departure from The Davidson Brothers’ previous offering Wanderlust, which highlighted the traditional bluegrass sound the brothers usually offer. The albumkeeps one foot in the bluegrass circle while the other steps into broader country territory.
If you’re a long-time Davidson Brothers fan, the bluegrass tunes on this record absolutely hit the mark; These Old Blues and Brown Snake are a great double act and the album includes instrumentals that showcase lightening fast hands on the mandolin, banjo and fiddle. There’s also straight country on offer. The highlight is Lock Horns, an exceptionally sexy song with a mature, layered sound.
The problem is that there are lots of acts doing straight country in Australia, but not many doing the sort of blistering, beautiful bluegrass these boys are capable of. It’ll be really interesting to see how the album is received by the duo’s hardcore fanbase.
One thing’s for sure – The Davidson Brothersare musicians of the highest order and whether they’re playing country or bluegrass, their talent always shines through.
By Isabelle Oderberg
