Alison Brown and Steve Martin have found an uncommon harmony on Safe, Sensible And Sane, their first full-length collaboration and a radiant tribute to the banjo’s endless possibilities. Following their No. 1 hit “Foggy Morning Breaking” from Brown’s On Banjo, the two Grammy winners leaned into their shared love for the instrument to craft a set of songs that balance humor, heart, and technical brilliance.

As USA Today put it, “Martin and Brown are invigorated by the mellifluous angle of bluegrass music.” That energy runs throughout the album, from the gentle warmth of “5 Days Out, 2 Days Back” featuring Tim O’Brien, nominated for multiple IBMA Awards, to the wistful “Dear Time,” a standout that pairs Jackson Browne with Jeff Hanna of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The latter track began as a reflective idea from Martin as he approached his 80th birthday, its mix of sincerity and wit emblematic of the record’s tone.

The Indigo Girls bring their unmistakable voices to “Girl, Have Money When You’re Old,” an empowering anthem that feels both timeless and timely. Jason Mraz lends his breezy charm to the Caribbean-inflected “Statement of Your Affairs,” while Aoife O’Donovan and Sarah Jarosz add dreamlike grace to “Michael,” a song steeped in Brazilian rhythm and subtle melancholy.

With Safe, Sensible and Sane, Alison Brown and Steve Martin extend bluegrass beyond tradition, connecting the instrument’s roots to a modern sense of humor, reflection, and community. Their musical partnership, now boasting more than 40 million social media views, proves that even in the hands of a comedian and a genre-bending virtuoso, the banjo still has new stories to tell.