Safe, Sensible And Sane

The debut collaborative album from Alison Brown and Steve Martin, Safe, Sensible and Sane, is a collection inspired by their shared fascination with the unique beauty of the banjo. After achieving a No. 1 hit with the first tune they ever wrote together (“Foggy Morning Breaking,” from Brown’s 2023 LP On Banjo), the two GRAMMY-winning musicians began dreaming up a batch of banjo-centered songs built on Brown’s daringly innovative melodies and Martin’s quirky yet tender lyrics. The result is an album that feels both inventive and deeply heartfelt.

They are joined on the project by numerous musical luminaries, including Jackson Browne, Jason Mraz, Indigo Girls, Aoife O’Donovan, Vince Gill, Tim O’Brien, Della Mae, and others. The album’s first three singles earned two more No. 1 radio chart hits, including the newest release “5 Days Out, 2 Days Back” featuring Tim O’Brien—a warm, timeless song nominated for Song of the Year, Collaborative Performance of the Year, and Music Video of the Year at the upcoming International Bluegrass Music Association Awards.

Another standout is the nostalgic “Dear Time,” which features Jackson Browne with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band co-founder Jeff Hanna on vocals. Originating from an idea Martin brought in as he approached his 80th birthday, the song strikes a powerful balance of playful humor and heartfelt sincerity. Folk icons Indigo Girls contribute “Girl, Have Money When You’re Old,” an anthem of female empowerment that captures the spirit of the moment with Amy Ray and Emily Saliers sharing lead vocals.

Two of the album’s most unexpected tracks draw inspiration from south of the border. The infectious Caribbean-influenced “Statement of Your Affairs” features Jason Mraz, while “Michael,” with Aoife O’Donovan and Sarah Jarosz, offers a bittersweet daydream with breezy Brazilian rhythms. Together, these songs showcase the adventurous spirit and collaborative joy at the heart of Safe, Sensible and Sane.

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