Bluegrass duo Steve Martin and Alison Brown will release their debut collaborative LP, dubbed Safe, Sensible and Sane, on October 17 via Compass Records. The collection centers on 12 banjo-centric tunes, featuring guest appearances from a range of veterans, including Jackson Browne, Vince Gill, The Indigo Girls, Tim O’Brien, Jason Mraz, Della Mae, and others. The latest preview, “Dear Time,” features Browne and Jeff Hanna as captured in the official music video, now available.  

Picking up with a humorous exchange between Martin and Browne, on memories, or lack thereof, playing at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, before an exchange of banjo and guitar embraces the Browne-sung piece on the passing of time. The concept is mimicked in the video, with an onslaught of images that present the younger version of the musical cast with their instruments. 

In addition to photographs that support the longevity of each individual’s musical career, historic highlights also bring to light Martin’s 1970s billed appearance with Linda Ronstadt at the Troubadour, as well as black and white images from Hanna’s Nitty Gritty Dirt Band days performing at the acclaimed LA venue. 

“With the banjo, there are so many styles you can work with, but Alison and I both have an ear for its more melodic, melancholy aspect,” Martin says. “We got together and played music for days, and ended up making a record where our entire banjo histories coalesce.”

“We didn’t start off by saying, ‘Let’s make an album,’” Brown shares. “We were just having a good time writing songs, and at some point we realized we’d written enough to gather them all together and put a bow on it. There was a joy and ease and sense of fun to the whole process, and now hopefully everyone who listens will share that joy.”

Safe, Sensible and Sane was tracked live at Compass Sound Studio, which is owned and operated by Brown and her husband, bassist and co-producer Garry West, and houses the duo’s previously released song, “5 Days Out, 2 Days Back” featuring O’Brien, and nominated for Song of the Year, Collaborative Performance of the Year, in addition to Music Video of the Year at this year’s International Bluegrass Music Association Awards. Brown is also nominated for Banjo Player of the Year. 

Watch the official music video for “Dear Time,” below. 

Safe, Sensible, and Sane Track listing

Friend of Mine  

5 Days Out (feat. Tim O’Brien)   

New Cluck Old Hen (feat. Della Mae)   

Michael (feat. Aoife O’Donovan with Sarah Jarosz)   

Evening Star (feat. McGoldrick/McCusker/Doyle) 

Statement of Your Affairs (feat. Jason Mraz)   

Dear Time (Prelude) 

Dear Time (feat. Jackson Browne with Jeff Hanna) 

Girl, Have Money When You’re Old (feat. Indigo Girls) 

Bluegrass Radio    

Wall Guitar (Since You Said Goodbye) (feat. Vince Gill)   

Let’s Get Out of Here