Malcolm Holcombe - Bits & Pieces (2023)

Malcolm Holcombe is a survivor; most recently, a cancer survivor, so it's a real gift to have this, his 18th album of brilliant vignettes and expressive musicianship. Shortly after his diagnosis in 2022, he and Jared Tyler decided to get these songs recorded, just the two of them, not knowing what the future held in store for them. To musicians, giving life to new songs can feel as critical as life's most basic needs. If a completed album can come from it, all the better.

Jared Tyler is the musical shadow of Malcolm: able to anticipate his next moves, predict what's needed when, and provide just the right embellishment and backbone on harmonies, guitars, mandola, dobro, banjo, etc. Jared produced this album, along with Brian Brinkerhoff. No one can fully get inside the musical mind of the great Malcolm Holcombe, but Jared comes as close as anyone ever could. You can memorize his lyrics, you can witness the awe and power and transcendent experience of his live performances, but you still won't be absolutely certain that you see exactly what he's seeing. And that's but one of his many attributes. One that has perhaps made contemporaries like Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, Steve & Justin Townes Earle, and Iris DeMent fans of his.

Malcolm Holcombe: singer, songwriter, survivor. He survives thanks in part to the fire and passion and conscience that you witness in his craft.