Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn

This husband-and-wife team of banjo players set aside time in 2013 to do a duo tour and celebrate the birth of their son Juno. Now they follow that up with a voice-and-banjo recording—they actually used seven types of banjos to fill out these arrangements. The material sticks to Appalachian traditions, ranging from the murder ballad “Pretty Polly” to an innovative take on “Working on the Railroad” to a couple of kids\' pieces from Bela Bartok, as well as originals. Washburn’s immediate but pure voice appears on several pieces, while Fleck handles much of the instrumental soloing throughout.

AllMusic provides comprehensive music info including reviews and biographies. Get recommendations for new music to listen to, stream or own.

Technically and stylistically complex, the fingerpicking shines brightest on the old standards, writes <strong>Neil Spencer</strong>

This virtuoso husband-and-wife duo can switch from bluegrass to classical, jazz to African styles. Duelling banjos this is not, writes <strong>Robin Denselow</strong>

Impressive new albums from Gregory Alan Isakov and Frazey Ford, a reworking of Johnny Cash's celebrated Bitter Tears album and a collaboration between Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn are among autumn country music highlights