Valley Flower, Tony Kamel (album release)

The cover of Tony Kamel’s sophomore LP, We’re All Gonna Live, shows the Grammy-nominated songwriter beaten and bloodied, but clinging to his banjo with a smile. “Makin’ it work is gonna have to work around here,” he cheerfully sings on the rollicking lead-off track, and throughout the album the Wood & Wire frontman takes on the chaos and joys of fatherhood and the contemporary world with an optimistic if weary outlook. The 10 tunes are Kamel rolling personal and reflective through lightning bluegrass breakdowns and sincere back porch country ballads. Valley Flower closes out the night. – Doug Freeman