Follow Me Down

A child prodigy on mandolin and banjo, Sarah Jarosz also plays guitar and several other instruments on Follow Me Down, and wrote nine of its 11 tracks. Her uncommon talent attracted many high-profile guests for this recording including Bela Fleck, Victor Krauss, Jerry Douglas, Darrell Scott, and Chris Thile, plus harmony vocals from Vince Gill, Shawn Colvin, and Dan Tyminski, who complement Jarosz’s own sweet, sultry voice. As you’d expect, the musicianship is remarkable, and the players sound inspired by her rich songs. Her own “Annabelle Lee,” for instance, sounds like a century-old Appalachian ballad while her sublime cover of Radiohead’s “The Tourist” is thoroughly modern in mood and execution, as are “Come Around,” “My Muse,” and “Here Nor There.” Two textured instrumentals demonstrate her range and feel: the mandolin and fiddle showstopper “Old Smitty” and the ethereal and touching “Peace,” which closes the album with waves of intertwining mandolin, cello, fiddle, and wood flute. Follow Me Down is a gorgeous and accomplished album that delights more with each listen.