Honi Deaton and Dream Promise Record Review

Honi Deaton and Dream
Promise To A Soldier
Chateau Music Group

By Brenda Hough

In a time when female band leaders have bands named Rage or Drive, it's almost sentimental to have your band named Dream. But a dream it is, with a band filled with hardy instrumentals, silky smooth harmonies and a top flight lead singer named Honi. Honi's voice has great versatility with the ability to put a come-hither tone in the country classic, Walking After Midnight, a punchy power in River of Tears and an ethereal goodness in Promise To A Soldier. Her emotional connection with the songs is strong and true and her skills as a songwriter touch the heartstone of love and family. The title cut, Promise To A Soldier, was written by Honi in honor of her grandfather, and the two love songs, It Amazes Me and All Alone are inspired and heartfelt. The band inspired and heartfelt. The band vocals have a great power and are particularly strong in the gospel numbers, I'm Gonna Build On That Shore and I'm Callin' Jesus. Andy Ruff's resophonic guitar work is outstanding and adds a harmony vocal to Honi's voice. Josh Brooks and Joe Clark's banjo and mandolin leads are crisp and defined and are well integrated into the strong band sound. Truly a "honey" of an album -- great new songs, classic country songs, harmonies and focused strong instrumentals -- should be a contender for album of the year! BMP