Kim Robins - Leave the Porch Light On

by Zena Grieg

published: 21 / 6 / 2022

Label: Pinecastle Records
Format: CD

intro

Eclectic mix of bluegrass, country and gospel, on resilient third album from Indiana singer-songwriter Kim Robins which was created out of personal tragedy

The latest album by Indiana singer-songwriter Kim Robins and her 40 Years Late band ‘Leave The Porch Light On’ is a resilient musical testimony to the challenging personal tragedies experienced by her over these past years. An eclectic mix of bluegrass, country and gospel, this third album, recorded during COVID-19, showcases Robins’ expressive country vocals against a colourful musical landscape created by special guests Tim Crouch (fiddle), Brenna Hess (bass) and 40 Years Late band members Duane Estep (mandolin), Josh Wood (banjo) and Kyle Estep (guitar and vocals). This new album has a particular resonance for Robins, being “the first project my parents and brother didn’t get to hear”. Songs to listen out for in this thirteen-track collection include: the opener, ‘Johnny Clay’ with its jaunty banjo and fiddle, a sobering tale about a ladies’ man and hard-drinking moonshine outlaw who meets a sticky end; the bluegrass-acoustic country ‘Bourbon And Beer’; the comforting homesick anthem and title track; the emotive ‘Memories Of An Angel’ about growing old and losing loved ones; the edgy ‘Seven Devils Ridge’, a tragic story about forbidden same-sex love; a father’s lament and wish for redemption for a son on death row ‘You’re In The Lord’s Hands Now’; the bluesy bluegrass break-up song and single ‘Hurricane’ plus ‘I’m Not To Blame’, a haunting, traditional-style country ballad with its plaintive fiddle as well as catchy toe-tapping ‘Can’t Be Anything But Love’; and the closer, the upbeat stirring gospel song ‘I Won’t Have A Prayer’. ‘Leave The Porch Light On’ is an assured canvas for Robins’ enjoyable, distinctive musical style.

Track Listing:-

1 Johnny Clay
2 I’ll Always Be A Gambler
3 Bourbon And Beer
4 Leave The Porch Light On
5 Memories Of An Angel
6 Annalisa
7 Seven Devils Ridge
8 You’re In The Lord’s Hands Now
9 Hurricane
10 I’m Not To Blame
11 Can’t Be Anything But Love
12 Wind In The Valley
13 I Won’t Have A Prayer