The other members of the Quartet, especially pianist John Burr contribute to Brown's compositions more than on any of her previous albums, where she composed mostly on her own.

On The Company You Keep she is playing and writing at the peak of her powers... "Drawing Down the Moon" is a slightly overlong slow number that tends to meander a bit, but it's the closest thing there is to a misstep on this excellent album.

In fact, Brown's longtime ensemble of John Burr (piano), Joe Craven (mandolin, fiddle, & percussion) and husband Garry West (bass), along with several notable guests, have crafted a record which draws just as freely from rock and jazz as it does from bluegrass.

"[5] John Metzger reviews the album for The Music Box, giving it 4 out of a possible 5 stars, and comments, "With The Company You Keep, Brown has ushered another freewheeling showcase to fruition, though this time, it comes together so naturally that even those who aren't already in awe of her fleet-fingered abilities will have to pay attention.

"[2] C. Michael Bailey gives the album 5 out of a possible 5 stars and begins his review for All About Jazz by writing, "The discovery of a previously unknown species is a watershed event in the biological sciences.