Sturgill Simpson – Cuttin' Grass Vol. 2 (The Cowboy Arms Sessions) , Opaque Blue & White Vinyl)

Sturgill Simpson’s Cuttin' Grass - Vol. 2 (Cowboy Arms Sessions) continues the bluegrass detour he opened on Vol. 1, but this set leans more deeply into the songs from 2016’s A Sailor’s Guide to Earth, the album that won the Grammy for Best Country Album and was also nominated for Album of the Year. Recorded with the same hard-picking ensemble Simpson dubbed the Hillbilly Avengers, it reframes some of his most personal writing through brisk acoustic arrangements that bring the songs closer to their roots.

That shift matters because Vol. 2 is not just a sequel or companion piece. Simpson described it as the more personal record of the pair, and the material bears that out: songs like “Oh Sarah” and “Welcome to Earth (Pollywog)” take on an even more homespun warmth here, while “Call to Arms” proves how naturally his songwriting can move into straight bluegrass form. The returning cast includes Sierra Hull on mandolin, Tim O’Brien on guitar, and Stuart Duncan on fiddle, giving the record both virtuosity and an easy, lived-in feel.

The album also broadens the picture of Simpson’s catalogue. “Jesus Boogie” reaches back to Sunday Valley, his first band, while “Tennessee” arrived here as a previously unreleased song. Most notable of all is “Hobo Cartoon,” co-written with Merle Haggard, which adds a clear line of conversation between Simpson and one of country music’s defining voices. For listeners coming to these songs fresh or returning from the studio originals, this is a thoughtful, highly playable companion rather than a mere remake.

Features

• Opaque Blue & White Vinyl
• Limited Edition

Reviews

• It all adds up to a soulful and absorbing record. - AllMusic.com