Cumberland Honey - Sweet Talk 

Cumberland Honey was initially formed as a duo in 2018 by Steph Landis and Virginia Masland. Over the years the band has expanded their lineup and Masland left the band in 2024.  With the current lineup consisting of Landis, Grace Mahar, Gena Lanette and Llewyn Malick, they have recently released their full-length debut Sweet Talk.  Featuring seven songs written by Landis and two from Mahar, it is an outstanding collection drawing from Bluegrass, country and Appalachian folk.  Throughout the nine tracks their use of upright bass, resonator guitar, slide guitar, pedal steel, Irish bouzouki, mandolin, and harmonica, create a beautiful, atmospheric sound, that is then coupled with their outstanding vocal harmonies.  The classic, old school country of “Mornin’ Light” gets the album going with some great harmonica and pedal steel.  “No Good For Me” is one of the album’s standout tracks, and is a gorgeous folk tune with a delicate, atmospheric feel, while “Long Time Coming” is an easygoing bluegrass song driven by a loping beat.  “River” starts with incredible gospel-tinged vocal harmonies, followed by some great harmonica and acoustic guitar that reminds me of Springsteen’s Nebraska, then turns into a gospel flavored roots track.  Following the swaying country waltz of “Soul To Call Home” is the six minute “The Sea,” an epic, six-minute track with a hauntingly beautiful intro that starts with a resonator guitar solo followed by pedal steel and then harmonica leading to captivating vocals from Maher and siren-like harmonies.  ”Easy Love” and “Hurt This Much” are a couple of gentle, laid-back mountain songs, the latter of which has some great back and forth lead vocals and a really nice hook, and closing the album out is “Goodbye To You,” a lazy, bluesy country track that really showcases their musicianship.  Sweet Talk shows once again that the music scene in South Central PA is one to pay attention to.

(Guernsey Beat Records)