Bobby Cyrus’ original “Jeremiah” hails from his pending second album release. Based on the excellence of this new single, I feel it is safe to say that we’re set for a transformative collection. His singing partnership with his wife Teddi Cyrus is one of the key selling points.
URL: https://teddiandbobbycyrus.com/home
Their harmony vocals never dominate “Jeremiah” but effortlessly blend when they make their presence felt. The tandem surrounds themselves with a capable array of musicians. Seth Taylor’s mandolin and Eamon Mclaughlin’s fiddle playing have prominent roles throughout the recording. However, I believe contributions from Josh Matheny’s dobro, bassist Dave Roe, Scott Vestal’s banjo work, and Cody Kilby’s acoustic guitar play a pivotal role in the song’s success.
The Kentucky-born songwriter draws from personal inspiration for this track. His late lamented father supplied the initial spark that resulted in “Jeremiah” and, in some ways, I hear this song as a tribute to his fraternal influence. It definitely puts a bright spotlight on Cyrus’ considerable talents for characterization. The subject emerges from the lyrics fully formed on the back of well-chosen details, snatches of dialogue, and a near-flawless flair for picking the right words. Cyrus’ writing instincts are superb.
His skill for framing those words within a compelling musical arrangement is equally impressive. The interplay between the aforementioned players creates a dramatic and entertaining landscape for Cyrus’ writing and voice to inhabit. They work in seamless sympathy. I don’t hear anyone attempting to establish supremacy over the song. Instead, Cyrus and each of his cohorts are serving the song’s needs rather than seeking the spotlight for themselves. It helps make “Jeremiah” a more fulfilling listening experience.
It runs a little longer than the usual single in this vein. I don’t hear a second of self-indulgence. Instead, I hear an ambitious foray towards the furthest reaches of what bluegrass can do rather than standing pat with formulaic invocations of the genre’s past. Bobby Cyrus has both feet planted in the present. Bluegrass purists will be happy with this song; there’s no way they couldn’t be. The musicianship on display has the style woven into its marrow rather than regurgitating a cookie-cutter take on this time-tested form.
It is a worthy successor to the future album’s lead single “Kentucky Tennessee”. The time Cyrus spent performing alongside such legends as Charlie Daniels and Johnny Paycheck comes through during this performance. He embodies the soul of classic bluegrass and country music without betraying a hint of strain. It comes naturally. I suspect he will always have that talent, and there’s abundant room for growth.
He will not stop here. Bobby and Teddi Cyrus have more music bubbling from within, and more songs to sing, and the coming years will reveal the full breadth of their individual and collective gifts. I’m looking forward to hearing whatever comes next for this outstanding duo. It promises to stand out in an increasingly competitive and tumultuous music world. The cream always rises to the top, and this talented twosome are no exception.
Troy Johnstone