Between The Lines

It’s always a pleasure to hear young and promising artists come into their own like the Price Sisters have done on their third release. The beauty and purity of their sisterly harmonies are both breathtaking and inspiring and often bring to mind great bluegrass duets of the past.

The Ohio-born twins—Leanna Price on vocals and fiddle and Lauren Price Napier on vocals and mandolin—debuted with a self-titled EP in 2016. They followed up with 2018’s A Heart Never Knows. Along the way, they received several IBMA award nominations.

Now, on Between the Lines, produced by Ronnie McCoury and featuring guests such as Del McCoury, Peter Rowan, Jerry Douglas and Jason Carter, the Prices have really hit their stride.

On these 15 selections, Leanna and Lauren not only showcase their mastery of their respective instruments, but also their poise and confidence in handling a range of moods and styles. They shine on songs like the mysterious “Ten Cent Pistol,” the sorrowful “Deep River” and on a pair of Kathy Kallick originals: “What Am I Gonna Do” and “Don’t Mind Me.”

Just as moving is their exquisite rendition of Peter Rowan’s classic “The Harvest,” on which Rowan himself contributes some subtle vocal assists. The dreamy “Midnight” (written by Boudleaux Bryant and Chet Atkins way back when), Benny Martin’s “I Can Read Between the Lines of Your Letters” and the Delmore Brothers’ “Weary Lonesome Blues” are other standouts.

Also included are a pair of stalwart instrumentals: “Tuel’s Landing,” composed by Lauren, and Leanne’s “Rabbit in a Rosebush,” on which they are ably accompanied by their adept  IBMA-nominated touring band: Conner Vlietstra on guitar, Trevor Holder on banjo and Bobby Osborne II on upright bass.

That said, a big emotional highlight is their reverent acappella performance on the traditional “Gospel Ship.”