Traversing the country and appreciating nature’s offerings are the forefront themes woven into the newest album from Joe’s Truck Stop, Yonderings. But not only that, it’s carving a path of self-discovery on the figurative and literal road to life. It’s appreciating those who have joined you along the way – guiding you up the steep slopes, riding the wave back down and greeting you around the bend. It’s leaning into each other to hold yourselves upright.

Yonderings is a master class in musicianship. Each layer stands artfully on its own, yet flawlessly blends together. The lyrics are crafted from the “write what you know” school of thought. Each story well lived-in like an autobiography set to brilliant music. Inside a 50-year-old barn in Lebanon, Ohio, Yonderings was recorded during a three-day span by David Mayfield in August 2021. The album melds together old and new styles of Bluegrass, as well as Western, Gospel, and Cosmic Country. Joe’s Truck Stop is the brain-child of Cincinnati-based Joe Macharet, who also lends his talents to The Tillers and the Northern Kentucky Bluegrass Band. Joe utilized the core of Truck Stop’s last summer line-up of Andrew McPheters on harmony vocals and 5-string banjo and June Youngblood on harmony vocals and upright bass. He also enlisted more ace musicians in Stephen "Tebbs" Karney on dobro and pedal steel guitar; Scott Risner on harmony vocals and mandolin; John K Victor on harmonica; Joe Wunderle on harmony vocals, harmonica, and piano; Sean Geil on 5-string banjo; and Chris Novy on drums. All songs were written by Joe Macharet except “Midnight on the Ohio” which was co-written with good friend and songwriter Joe Wunderle.

The album takes off into a “Preamble” to warm you up for the ride. The next contribution is the lullaby-like “Wishin’ on a Star.” Resting on the banks of the Yellowstone River makes for a dreamy setting while contemplating the effectiveness of wishing upon a star. However fruitless it may seem, we continue to wish for our dreams and loved one’s well-being because hope is a universal driving force of humanity.

There are two waltzes on the album: “Winter Waltz” and “Waltz for Lucille.” The first is an up-tempo number longing for new beginnings while the latter is a traditional, almost gospel-leaning, tune of saying goodbye to a dear friend or maybe even a beloved pet that has passed on. The cadence of each track sets the appropriate tone as much as the lyrics tell the story. The cadence and tempo also play a significant part in the instrumental “Grease Fire.” It begins with jaunty strings that respectively get their moment to shine and then layer in upon each other until the introduction of percussion changes the beat leading to a sped-up rhythm of the entire band playing at break-neck speed. It’s not lost on me that the lively build-up of instrumentation literally resembles the workings of an actual grease fire coming to life.

“Midnight on the Ohio” and “Gas Station Sushi” are from the weary traveler’s perspective. You can practically follow the snowy and unsteady footsteps while peering through the blurry eyes of the characters as they search for a place to bed down on the river bank for the night. The latter track takes you on a contemplative trip across the country and back – a road-dog’s anthem. It’s difficult not to fret on one’s faults or shortcomings, but in this tongue-in-cheek musing, Macharet points out that despite all that he still has the wit to reach beyond the dreadful gas station sushi for a meal on the road.

“Still in Silence” is my favorite on the album. There is a relatability in the lyrics that caught my attention. 

“I could tell that you’d been going through some shit / And weren’t fond to talking ‘bout it / That’s okay, maybe it’s just another way to say / That you just need to get away before losing it”

But it’s the vivid imagery and lush melodies that will make you come back over and over again.

“The river split its seams of blue / And the rushing white seeped through the hues / We laid and watched the colors / Of the canyon change and breathe / Red and orange, yellow, green / Trails of light split the ravine / Like a painting slowly changing / But no artist to be seen”

A couple months into the pandemic, Joe’s dear friend, Paul, shared a story with him about a 1960s acid trip gone bad. At the time, someone suggested to Paul that he could get through it by just “Smilin’ at Nothin’.” It worked and it became the inspiration for this song about getting through a difficult period, such as the pandemic. 

While trying out some new instrumentals on a crowd in 2020, Macharet asked for suggestions on what to name the tune that became the final instrumental on the album. Someone in the audience yelled, “Pappy Hondo,” so that settled it. If you’re not familiar, Pappy Hondo is the host of House Concerts at Pappy’s where Joe occasionally performs. 

The album is bookended by a sweet acknowledgement put to song and simply titled, “Thank You.”

“When I was in a time of need / Looking for someone to help me realize my dreams / You showed me will when I felt like I could hardly breathe / Thank you”

Joe’s Truck Stop has given us another grand body of work that is ripe with clever and picturesque lyricism backed by skillful musicians. In the last few years, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Joe’s Truck Stop perform in various capacities and I can attest that it’s a must-see show. As of today, you can find Yonderings on Bandcamp or any of your digital platforms of choice. If you get the chance, I highly recommend catching a live performance, as well. 

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