By now, the story’s been told of bassist Charlie Haden’s return to the folk and bluegrass music he grew up playing with his family band. Occasionally, his bass steps to the fore as it does on “20/20 Vision,” but more often than not, his hand is heard in the concept, bringing together his family and friends to make music that is fundamentally communal in nature. Since the songs really are the stars here, the army of voices—including Elvis Costello, Vince Gill, the Haden Triplets, Josh Haden, Roseanne Cash—doesn’t distract or diminish the album’s unity,

But Rambling Boy is more than a celebration of family or a body of songs. Haden broadens his definition of Americana when he includes Pat Metheny’s “Is This America? (Katrina 2005),” an elegant instrumental, and the album embraces a host of treatments. Some are performed hootenanny style, while others are treated with the loving, thoughtful attention befitting American standards. Haden’s playing is impeccable as usual, but his artistry is in the management of the project.