DEBBIE DURANT—THE EYES OF YESTERYEAR—Walnut Run Music WRM0001. The songs on this project were collected by songwriter and musician Debbie Durant over the past dozen years. Durant, who plays bass and sings, is joined in the studio by Scott Freeman (mandolin), Billy Hawks (fiddle), Jody King (banjo, guitar), Johnny Joyce (vocals), Jeanette Williams (vocals), and Johnny Williams (guitar), who also produced the CD. Many of the songs are gospel and reflect Durant’s spiritual feelings. These include “Where Did He Go?,” “Consider Your Ways (Haggai 1),” “Cast Your Bread On The Waters,” “The Pharisee & The Taxman,” “Resentment,” and “When I Get To That City.” She also includes Terry Smith’s “Far Side Banks Of Jordan.” Other selections include “Virginia, You Are Home Sweet Home To Me,” reflecting her Virginia roots, “They Don’t Know My Name,” “If I’m Going To Be Lonely,” and the title-tune “The Eyes Of Yesteryear.” Johnny Williams sings lead on “The Ballad Of John Henry’s Wife.” Durant plays bass on all cuts and she has an interesting vocal tone with a bit of a warble. The band is solid and this a good first outing for her. (Debbie Durant, P.O. Box 113, Landenberg, PA 19350, www.walnutrunmusic.com)

—http://bluegrassmusic.com/content/category/releases/ (November 2016 issue, Additional Releases by Bill Foster)