The Del McCoury Band
THE CD:“The company we keep” (McCoury Music)MCM 0002
PERFORMER: The Del McCoury Band
On the web: The Del McCoury Band
It is amazing how a band so close to the roots of bluegrass (patriarch Del played with Bill Monroe in the early 1960s and later fronted the Dixie Pals for many years) can be so thoroughly traditional and cutting edge, too.
On their latest CD, they continue to record fine songs that enlarge the bluegrass model, with three co-written by McCoury. “Never Grow Up Boy” is firmly autobiographical, about the joys of playing music. “Sometimes I look in the mirror/I see the boy I used to be/And after all these years its clearer/The dreams of boys can set men free.” It also doubles as a love song to his wife Jean, who waited at home while her man was living and working his dream. (The co-writer here is Harley Allen, the son of bluegrass legend Red Allen.)
“Seventh Heaven” is an instrumental from mandolinist Ronnie McCoury, which features several imaginative solos, including one from brother Rob McCoury (on his great-sounding banjo). “Fathers and Sons” could easily be the title track — the CD jacket is chock full of family photos, with all the grandkids — “the Third Generation” — on the back cover. Speaking of which, there is nothing quite like family harmonies, especially the McCourys’. Another song, “When It Stops Hurtin” is all about heartache, with a honkytonk backbeat, and echoes of Monroe.
This is a well-recorded CD from a band in top form.
– by Paul Gartner
