From California Bluegrass Association's B. Hough

You can tell this isn’t a dull album when there’s a loud “yeah” two seconds into the introductory banjo lead. “Rollin’ In My Sweet Baby’s Arms” is a classic song, but it’s usually not done at full tilt with banjo, mandolin and dobro squaring off in a battle for the most notes and the fastest speed. It’s to Honi’s credit that her vocals are strong enough to ride on top of this controlled tidal wave. Yeah!

“I Wanna Come Home” changes pace immediately, and Honi and Andy trade leads on a gentle song of longing for home. “Mystery Train” puts the engine into full throttle again and Honi’s voice pulls no punches as she powers through Andy Ruff’s resophonic guitar, Joe Clark’s mandolin, Jeff Deaton’s guitar and Josh Brooks’ banjo. Honi’s original “The Diaper Song” is a realistic love song with diapers on the floorboard of the car and a baby’s tiny hand and the love refrain “when you’re with me that’s all I need.” “Ain’t No Grave” is a stunning four part a cappella gospel song with Andy doing a rumbling bass that strains the speakers. With top instrumentation, 4 strong singers, and original songs, there’s a lot of untapped potential yet to come from this band. You know you have a top album when you can’t choose a favorite song!

From Bluegrass Unlimited

In the title song, "Promise To A Soldier," Honi Deaton pays a wonderful tribute to her Grandfather who was killed on Okinawa in 1945. The songs tell of her grandmother and mother and of their struggles to deal with the loss and hopefully helps explain what current families are going through. This new CD project also highlights Honi Deaton's songwriting talents as seven of the twelve compositions are originals by her, from the lost love of "River Of Tears," to the loneliness of "All Alone," to the heartbreak of "Am I Losing You," to the uplifting of "I'm Calling Jesus."

In these songs and others, Deaton shows she can pull a heartstring, bring a tear, and give hope. She also shows a fondness for some classic country covers including "Walking After Midnight," "Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On," and Patsy Montana's gem, "[I Want To Be A] Cowboy's Sweetheart." Her band, Dream, include husband Jeff Deaton on guitar and bass, Josh Brooks on banjo, Joe Clark on mandolin, and Andy Ruff on resonator guitar.

Honi Deaton herself is a strong bassist but on this project she puts the bass aside to concentrate on her vocals, backed by the group's harmony blending. The included booklet contains songs lyrics and narratives and some old b&w photos of her family. A very nice new project from Honi Deaton & Dream.

From Bluegrass Unlimited:

Honi Deaton and Dream are a major amazement and ought to be in the running for discovery of the year. She has a rich, soulful voice with a very broad range — the kind of voice that could bring fresh air to Nashville, if that place had the sense to come calling and not try to bland her into pop diva-dom. Her vocals combine power and expressiveness, and she’s so gifted and experienced that she doesn’t succumb to the temptation to oversing anywhere. While most of the disc is straight bluegrass, some of it the driving kind, her most affecting moments arise, for me, on the slower, country-flavored material, which glows with the subtle passion and color of her voice. Off the evidence of this disc, she could probably make almost any kind of music scintillating.

The set begins with "Loose Talk," an old country hit, done here at a ripping bluegrass clip, followed by some bluesy ’grass on "Better Man." At this point, the verdict is "real promise," and then she launches into the aching original love song "In Your Dreams," and the promise becomes fulfillment. Next, "You’re The One" nails it down — a complex modern bluegrass arrangement with a bowed bass introduction, fine fiddling, lead guitar, and mandolin behind a tour de force vocal, displaying Deaton’s full capacities. When the song, in the middle, slows way down to a gorgeous few lines of pure Deaton soul, you know you’ve come to some place special. The ensuing number, a heartbreaker about divorce, with quiet piano, mandolin, and fiddle and a nice harmony turn by guest Russell Moore, is absolutely captivating. If you’re not a fan after this, your ears or heart are stone.

Lots of fine bluegrass remains, along with marvelous sweet ballads, including "I’m Not Lisa," the Jesse Colter hit, and a gripping finale of "Amazing Grace."

Eight of the songs are Honi Deaton originals, two penned with bass player/husband Jeff Deaton. She writes beautiful romantic material (such as the title song, based on a poignant true story) and some fierce bluegrass. The latter particularly shines on "Sally Flatt," a back-up-in-the-holler saga of multiple murders that could have been imported three hundred years ago with the Scots-Irish.

The band — Kristen Scott Benson, banjo; Chris Davis, mandolin; Dewey Brown, fiddle; Greg Luck, guitar — produces seamless, sparkling, imaginative support. They sound as though they’ve weaved their way around each other for years, though the nucleus of the group was formed relatively recently. Rob Ickes guests delightfully on resonator or slide guitar on three cuts, Wayne Benson plays lovely mandolin throughout, and guitarist Mark Mundy is similarly effective. They’re all just terrific — inventive, tasteful, melodious.

Honi Deaton played with another band, the Grasshoppers, whose music I hadn’t heard until I pulled a few samples off the internet after listening to her here. I’m going to get a hold of their recordings, too, and anything else she’s been connected with. This is serious talent, a star in the making, with a top instrumental cast around her. Don’t miss it!