Trail of Flowers - Misplaced Pages

"Seven years or so ago, my pride would get in the way. I just wanted to do it myself. But these days, it's more enjoyable and fun to write with other people."

—Ferrell on collaborating on Trail of Flowers

Trail of Flowers is the fourth full-length studio album by American singer-songwriter Sierra Ferrell, released by Rounder Records on March 22, 2024, and distributed by Concord. The album received positive reviews from critics, who pointed to the blending of genres and time periods, starting with the bluegrass origins of Americana, but also exploring its derivatives.

Reception

Editors at AllMusic rated the album 4 out of 5 stars, with critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine writing that "the record itself can play like an American dream: it's a freewheeling collection of country and folk, rooted in the past and winking at the future while being focused on the moment at hand". BrooklynVegan's Andrew Sacher praised the music for blending nostalgia with contemporary music sounds with "that perfect, enduring mix of a warm, modest, organic exterior, and songwriting that really pops". A profile of Ferrell for The Los Angeles Times by Erin Osmon praised the musician's growth but also noted that "the free spiritedness of her music—an uncommon blend of old-time bluegrass, country, ragtime, folk and jazz, anchored by her powerhouse vocals that by turns recall Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and Bessie Smith—remains largely the same".

In No Depression, Maeri Ferguson called the album "a full-hearted collection of songs sung straight from the chest". Writing in Paste, Tom Williams scored this release a 7.5 out of 10, stating that it "draws inspiration from jazz, bluegrass and mid-century country, arriving detailed, lived-in and nuanced", with "an obvious charisma to this style of writing". In Spin, Stephen Deusner ranted this release a B+, stating that the music "is best when it stares down disappointment and disillusionment, regardless of whether Ferrell finds a reason to carry on" and that her exploration of American music styles and culture is augmented by "a generation of players steeped in old-time and bluegrass". In The Wall Street Journal, Barry Mazor praised the diverse backgrounds of the musicians and stated that "this collection stands to stick around".

Track listing

All songs written by Sierra Ferrell, except where noted.

"American Dreaming" (Melody Walker) – 4:17
"Dollar Bill Bar" – 3:29
"Fox Hunt" – 3:18
"Chittlin' Cookin' Time in Cheatham County" (traditional) – 3:02
"Wish You Well" – 3:38
"Money Train" – 2:40
"I Could Drive You Crazy" – 3:36
"Why Haven't You Loved Me Yet" – 2:15
"Rosemary" – 3:36
"Lighthouse" (Lindsay Lou) – 3:39
"I'll Come Off the Mountain" – 1:45
"No Letter" – 2:21

Personnel

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"American Dreaming"

Sierra Ferrell – acoustic guitar, vocals
Askel Coe – drums, percussion
Oliver Bates Craven – gang vocals
Thorleifur Gaukur Davidsson – steel guitar
Lukas Nelson – backing vocals
Joshua Rilko – gang vocals
Mike Rojas – piano, celesta, vibraphone
Geoff Saunders – bass guitar, gang vocals
Seth Taylor – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo
Melody Walker – backing vocals

"Dollar Bill Bar"

Sierra Ferrell – vocals

"Fox Hunt"

Sierra Ferrell – fiddle, vocals
Askel Coe – drums
Billy Contreras – fiddle
Oliver Bates Craven – gang vocals
Joshua Rilko – gang vocals
Mike Rojas – piano
Geoff Saunders – bass guitar, gang vocals
Seth Taylor – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo

"Chittlin' Cookin' Time in Cheatham County"

Sierra Ferrell – vocals

"Wish You Well"

Sierra Ferrell – vocals
Askel Coe – drums, percussion
Billy Contreras – fiddle, strings, arrangement
Thorleifur Gaukur Davidsson – steel guitar
Geoff Saunders – bass guitar
Seth Taylor – acoustic guitar, electric guitar

"Money Train"

Sierra Ferrell – vocals
Askel Coe – drums
Lukas Nelson – backing vocals
Mike Rojas – piano
Geoff Saunders – bass guitar
Chris Scruggs – acoustic guitar, hi-strung guitar, lap steel guitar
Seth Taylor – baritone guitar

"I Could Drive You Crazy"

Sierra Ferrell – vocals, fiddle
Askel Coe – drums
Billy Contreras – fiddle
Oliver Bates Craven – backing vocals
Mike Rojas – piano
Geoff Saunders – bass guitar, backing vocals
Seth Taylor – acoustic guitar, electric guitar

"Why Haven't You Loved Me Yet"

Sierra Ferrell – vocals
Aksel Coe – drums, percussion
Oliver Bates Craven – acoustic guitar, backing vocals
Mike Rojas – vibraphone
Geoff Saunders – bass guitar, backing vocals
Chris Scruggs – lap steel guitar
Seth Taylor – electric guitar
Melody Walker – backing vocals

"Rosemary"

Sierra Ferrell – acoustic guitar, vocals
Aksel Coe – drums, percussion
Mike Rojas – organ
Geoff Saunders – bass guitar
Seth Taylor – electric guitar

"Lighthouse"

Sierra Ferrell – acoustic guitar
Oliver Bates Craven – fiddle, harmony vocals
Joshua Rilko – mandolin, harmony vocals
Geoff Saunders – bass guitar, harmony vocals

"I'll Come Off the Mountain"

Sierra Ferrell – vocals
Aksel Coe – drums
Billy Contreras – fiddle
Oliver Bates Craven – backing vocals
Mike Rojas – piano
Geoff Saunders – bass guitar
Chris Scruggs – acoustic guitar
Melody Walker – backing vocals

"No Letter"

Sierra Ferrell – vocals
Oliver Bates Craven – acoustic guitar
Joshua Rilko – mandolin
Geoff Saunders – acoustic guitar

Additional personnel

Paul Blakemore – audio mastering at CMG Mastering
Nikki Lane – vocal harmonies
Gary Paczosa – recording on "Lighthouse", mixing on "Lighthouse", additional production, production on "Lighthouse"
Bobbi Rich – photography
Eddie Spear – recording, mixing, production