Fresh Cuts Friday – Dawn Landes, A.J. Haynes, The Highwomen and more!

Fresh Cuts Friday! Here we are. Cindy’s picks. Cindy hosts. But we’ve got the new ED of FA, Sarah LaDuke, writing about some of the songs for the Fresh Cuts blog post. Where is that? You’re reading it right now.

Fresh Cuts, Cindy’s weekly radio hour airs every Friday at 2pm ET / 11am PT on Folk Alley’s 24/7 stream — available on our website, mobile app, or your smart speaker too. Prefer to listen on your own time? Just click on the Fresh Cuts stream whenever it works for you.

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Hi everyone! I remain thrilled to be here with all of you and without further ado: my first Fresh Cuts Friday blog post! – Sarah

Two “little” songs with a lot to enjoy: 

Dawn Landes, “Little Red Boat”

They say that the two happiest days of a boat owner’s life are the day they buy their watercraft and the day they sell it. Dawn Landes has come up with a work-around in “Little Red Boat.” In this bouncy, bobbing tune, she satisfies her wanderlust by vividly imagines adventuring in the vessel parked in a neighbor’s yard. 

Dawn’s children’s records; ‘My Tiny Twilight’ (2019) and now ‘Catch a little Sun’ (2026) live in a world with Elizabeth Mitchell. Or with Lisa Loeb, and Jewel’s sojourns with the elementary set. She has made a lovely new album intended to appeal to little ears with stories and melodies that will entertain all.

Ken & Brad Kolodner – “Little Bird of Heaven”

Ken Kolodner’s hammer dulcimer playing feels like lying under a tree on a sunny day when you can see the leaves’ dappled light playing through your eyelids – particularly around the halfway point of this song by Ken and his son, FA’s own Brad Kolodner.

Here’s what Brad let us know about the tune: “Written by Martha Scanlan, the song is full of gratitude, reminding us to care for what we have right here in our hands. I’ve always had a fondness for this song and it seems to resonate with me the more I sing it. Rachel Eddy and Alex Lacquement join in with their lush harmonies. I hope you’ll give it a listen and that it speaks to you too!”

It spoke to me, Brad – Bravo!

And speaking of slowing down…

A.J. Hayes – “Slowly”

A.J. Haynes’ “Slowly” floats you somewhere between placidly releasing concerns and a kind of somehow informed and spacey, resignation against rushing. With elements that bring to mind St. Vincent’s “What Me Worry,” the song starts with crickets and a contented yawn. It dropped my blood pressure immediately (that’s good. It’s high. [gestures as the world])

Blurry descriptions of blossoming willows and dogwoods flow through a swaying melody and just when I didn’t think it could get any prettier – the lyric switches from English to Spanish.

We featured “Outlaws Almanac” on last week’s Fresh Cuts with Lizzie No’s “The One I Love and the Freedom Road” – and we’re doing it again. Yes, this compilation warrants it. Pun intended.

The Highwomen – “Always On My Mind”

As I was listening to this cover, recorded at The Highwomen’s de facto home, The Gorge Amphitheater in Washington, I couldn’t think of who was best known for recording this perfect ballad.

Forgetting Brenda Lee, Elvis, AND Willie Nelson in one go is inexcusable, I now realize.

But I was still sure I’d heard another artist sing it more. And that’s when I realized: my most played version is from the original Broadway cast recording of “Priscilla Queen of the Desert.” Performed by Will Swenson and Luke Mannikus, that version has an “I Say A Little Prayer” counterpoint in the second half that I find very sweet and pretty. (May I point out that it was Will Swenson not Willie Nelson? Or Willie Nelson and Will Swenson. Willie Will Nelson Swenson. Say it out loud. Only because it’s fun.)

So, now you know. One of my things is musical theater. You may as well find out about it right away. I’ll inject it sparingly.

I will, as long as I’m able, take every opportunity to share anything Brandi Carlile and The Highwomen do. They are almost too good to be true.

The rest of Cindy’s excellent Fresh Cuts selections are below. The new hour, hosted by Cindy, airs on the Folk Alley main and member streams at 2pm ET and the Fresh Cuts stream is available anytime. Enjoy!

More this week on Fresh Cuts!

Balsam Range – Life I Left Behind
Bronwyn – Sticks and Stones
Cinder Well – Beyond the Pale
Jamestown Revival – Juniper & Gin
Katie Pruitt – Blackout
Lambchop -Stella
Rising Appalachia – In Love With the Quiet
The McDades – Roving Gambler
Tony Kamel – Just Don’t Make Em