Peter Hutchison has been writing songs for decades, and Healers 2 is his tenth full-length release. It revives the acoustic-based ensemble he first assembled in the 1990s, and it follows The Healers‘ 2024 debut. Released on August 28th, the album draws on the tradition of The Band, The Jayhawks, The Waterboys, Wilco and Whiskeytown, blending Americana, folk, country and Celtic influences. Rod Hohl produced it, and he and Hutchison, who wrote the songs and handles vocals and guitar, arranged it together with an ensemble of Brooklyn musicians that includes fiddler Minnie Jordan, pedal steel and bass player Luke Bergman, drummer Konrad Meissner, vocalist Kara Suzanne, guitarist Brian Wilkens and vocalist Bruce Martin.
“Some Nights” is our first taste of that ensemble, and what an incredible one it is. The staple country music textures sit across the metaphorical night sky of the song’s stereo image exactly where they should be. I need to praise that snare sound and single it out, because it really is why the momentum of the song is so addictive. It invites you on a meditative journey and makes you more receptive to the narrative told with the vocals. “Your Guess Is As Good As Mine” is a stellar piece of songwriting. It shines because of how genius the lyrics are and how they are interconnected with the composition, the chords, and the starts and stops of the arrangement.
“Brokenhearted” is the grooviest song on the album, which isn’t exactly what you would expect from a song with that title. The bass here is delectable, and it is sensational how all the rhythm section elements fall right into place. On top of being deliciously groovy, the high bar of songwriting is also cleared, with really great lyricism and great vocal melodies. The album closes with “All Gotta Go,” a meditative, somber piece that ends on a quiet moment. The Celtic and folk influence is clear here, and it is majestic.
Together, the four songs show how much range the band has within a roots framework. Healers 2 was recorded at Studio K and Grand Street Recording in Brooklyn, mixed by Ken Rich and mastered by Fred Kevorkian. “Some Nights,” the first single, is described as a meditation on memory, longing, and finding our way back to one another. It is a strong choice for anyone who likes their Americana made by players who clearly know the tradition.