Acoustic Live Sessions, which is available to stream from all the usual suspects, features five gems recorded inside a picturesque church by the country-flavored Castellows (sisters Ellie, Powell and Lily Balkcom) in February 2025, four of which were used for a magical long-form video released in June, plus a cover of a classic Emmylou Harris song, “Red Dirt Girl,” that dates to June 2024. It’s just them, their guitars, banjo, and heavenly harmonies—plus, on the first five tracks, fiddle and additional guitar courtesy of Justin Maynard.
“Sheltered,” “Old Way,” and “You Don’t Even Know Who I Am” hail from their recent EP, Homecoming, while “Alabama Stone” was a one-off single they released last year. New to them (and us): “Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold),” which was a No. 1 country hit in 1986 for Dan Seals, who co-wrote it with songwriter extraordinaire Bob McDill. The Rodney Crowell-penned “Red Dirt Girl” is a perfect cap to the set. It, “Everything That Glitters,” and “You Don’t Even Know Who I Am,” which was a hit for Patty Loveless in the ’90s, also demonstrate the sisters’ connections to old-school country.
A part of me wishes they’d delve even deeper into the canon, aka cover the classic country sides of yore—“It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,” perhaps, or “Wildwood Flower.” Maybe one day. Another part of me wishes they’d included something from their debut EP, A Little Goes a Long Way—the title cut, maybe, or “No. 7 Road.” (But that’s the Steve Earle in me speaking: I ain’t ever satisfied!)
Anyway, what’s amazing about the performances: everything and nothing. Everything in that each song was recorded in one take inside a magnificent church while a camera roamed the pews around them; it’s not the same as being on stage, where hitting a mark means stepping to the microphone in time for the chorus or next verse. Nothing in that…well, it just seems effortless! Anyone who’s enjoyed their EPs and singles, and spent time watching the wealth of YouTube videos (official and otherwise) of them, can attest to the magic they make.
“Old Way” remains a glistening epiphany to my ears, one of my favorite songs of the year, while the new-to-us tracks sparkle, too. “Everything That Glitters” casts a spell that resonates far longer than the song. “Red Dirt Girl,” though not new per se, does Emmylou proud. Truth be told, I often pull up the Acoustic Live Sessions on our TV and enjoy it from the couch; being able to now take the music with me when out and about is a true blessing.
(FYI, the sisters are currently on the road opening for Thomas Rhett and have their first headlining tour slated to start in October. Check out their website for all the particulars.)
The Old Grey Cat 
2 thoughts