"Belly Full of Whiskey" by The Folly Brothers
Review
Checking the records, I see that The Folly Brothers put their debut album ‘Bridge 101' out in 2016: considering (lockdown excepted) they've been totally active in the intervening years, it's perhaps a little surprising that the new single "Belly Full of Whiskey" has taken until now to emerge.
The members have plenty of family & professional distractions & commitments of course (many are the children born in the interim) and I've also had various discussions regarding their concern to get any recording just right.
However I think a key idea to consider is the nature of their undoubted popularity. I think the balance is overwhelmingly tilted in favour of their live work (hopefully new releases will adjust this) and that's of such a level that I'm sure they are very happy.
You can't record too well if you are on the road so much either & I've been following their progress in 2025 when the hard work & dynamism they hurl into playing has resulted in a
long term connection with ‘Summer in Nashville' promotions (they also play outside the one season I should add) and hence a string of high profile concerts in terms of both venues and festivals and of their prominence on the bills. I'd also note that they seem one of the few acts on this series to favour their own compositions.
This no doubt is doing wonders for their profile & career but I am sure that if they want to consolidate their clearly grown audience while remaining true to their own integrity as songwriters as well as performers, original material is most helpful.
"Belly Full of Whiskey" probably speaks to both aspects given that it's original & the subject matter is prime Folly Brother territory.
I don't want to get too bogged down in the process of deciding whether their performance on the recording is a progression from nine years ago as I really liked the album. However nine years of playing many times must rub off & the feedback from thousands must drive each forward in gusto as well as technique.
There have been a few "fourth brothers" alongside Jonny, Mark & Wes over those years and this song features prominent mandolin from one of them: Alfie Amadeus.
What impressed me was the sound they've gone for. Slotting into a Nashville styled scene might persuade people to go for the more polished & contemporary sound which reflects some of the artists who are the inspirations for the tribute acts on the circuit.
"Belly Full of Whiskey" might hail from Tennessee too, but definitely up in the hills & not from the bright lights of the big city. This is the roots music where The Folly Brothers' hearts lie and the point most of their original fanbase entered their world. I'm going to salute them for that & as it's my review…..
Unfortunately I've not caught up with the band for some time so I must join you in speculating as to how much of a one off this single might be or whether it's the first of several releases.
You can catch The Folly Brothers on 19th December for a special Christmas gig at Leamington's Irish Club: tickets were available via: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-folly-brothers-ho-ho-hoedown-the-irish-club-leamington-spa-cv32-5ah-tickets-1855989136469 but as they seem to have sold out, you could email their management at: management@follybrothers.com to join the waiting list for returns.
