Niall Toner recording his fifth album in Nashville

The 'listen-back': (l-r) Niall, Justin Weaver, Samson Grisman, Asa Sewell (photographer)

Thanks to Niall Toner for this news:

I've been recording my new album at 16 Ton Studios on Music Row over the past ten days. Tracks include a re-cut of 'Bill Monroe's mandolin' and a hammer-and-tongs version of 'When tomorrow comes', in tribute to Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs.

Musicians include Scott Vestal on 5-string banjo; Justin Weaver (Dixie Chicks) on mandolin, guitar, and slide guitar; Samson Grisman (Dave's son; playing with the Deadly Gentlemen and Sarah Jaroz) on upright bass; Keith Sewell on fiddle, guitar, mandolin, vocals, and production; and John Mock (Dixie Chicks) on harmonium, percussion, and whistle, with me on all vocals and some mandolin and guitar. Sessions were engineered by Michael Esser.

Once again, it's an all-original project, and probably my most ambitious to date. I'm also not sure yet about a record label. Pinecastle are keen, but this time 'round they have a little competition from Rounder, Sugar Hill, and Compass, so we'll see who makes the best bid!

Release date still to be decided, but probably early 2015. Track listing:

1 Working on love
2 Josie's reel
3 I know what lonely's about
4 Old tyme love
5 When tomorrow comes
6 The mountain and the sky
7 Walk on water
8 Bill Monroe's mandolin
9 Planxty Coolasnaughta/The flower Of Liffey Hall (inst.)
10 The people wondered