Welcome return of the high tenor
Squidgey Flint | Seattle, WA | 09/24/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was exposed to Del and crew first on the Ricky Scaggs PBS bluegrass special and then on Austin City Limit with Patty Lovelace. Del's high-tenor struck me the first time I heard it and has grown on me each time thereafter. I don't seem to hear much high-tenor in today's bluegrass.Del and his band are tight and right on the money the whole way through both musically and vocally. Members of the band have written about half the songs on the disc which is refreshing (although more would be better).The first cut is Richard Thompson's "1952 Vincent Black Lightning: ("Red hair and black leather are my favorite color scheme"). The treatment is so good that I probably won't like the original. "All Aboard" is a "traveling is about the trip, not the destination" allegory full of minor chords and the classic mystical stranger. "Gone but not forgotten" is nostalgic pop (bluegrass) that harkens back to good days of old that include Cowboys, Hobos, Heroes ("Heroes... Good Guys. White Hats. Fist Fights. Take that! Heroes...") and Daddys ("Strong back. Rough hands. Soft heart. Good man.")On the whole it's a new album of "classic" bluegrass, in tune, in key, and on fire. This disc has long term repeatability and you'll be singing the songs to yourself in no time at all.This is a must have purchase. Buy one for yourself and a couple for your friends. Whether they already are bluegrass fans or not, they'll love this disc."
Definitive recording by the best acoustic band in the world
Aaron K. Harris | Fairborn, Ohio United States | 01/26/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Del McCoury Band is the most awarded group in the history of bluegrass and one listen to "Del and the Boys" is enough to tell you why. Del served as Bill Monroe's duet partner and guitarist for a short time in the early sixties, and since then he has developed into one of the finest singers and songwriters of the genre. His always-smiling face belies his keening voice and the bluesy material he writes and covers.
The "boys" are Del's sons Ronnie (mandolin and producer) and Rob (banjo), fiddler Jason Carter, and bassist Mike Bub.
"Del and the Boys" contains sincere gospel ("Recovering Pharisee"), longing for home ("The Bluegrass Country"), a soaring instrumental number ("Goldbrickin'") and laments for love gone wrong ("A Good Man", "Count Me Out") - all the elements of a good bluegrass album. Ricky Skaggs (vocals) and Stuart Duncan (fiddle) also make cameo appearances.
But what makes this a great bluegrass album are tracks like "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" - Richard Thompson's ballad of motorcycles and redheaded women recast here as an epic redemption song - and "Learnin' the Blues" - a performance whose vocal and instrumental dynamics no other acoustic band can hope to exceed. "Del and the Boys" is sure to lengthen their string of awards. No wonder Del is always smiling."
Driving Bluegrass
Rod Ford | Florence, Ky United States | 09/23/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Be careful the first song on this CD "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" will having you searching eBay for an old motorcycle!
Del and the Boys is a good introduction to this driving Bluegrass band. Some have commented that his voice is not for them, but its a classic high lonesome sound.
The lyrics on this particular album are one of the things that keep bringing me back to it. While I live in the heart of "Bluegrass Country", I know what it means to miss Kentucky. While "All Aboard" helps me to remember that the what lies ahead is better than where I've been and that someone is listening to my prayers.
If you ever pass me on the street with my windows down, odds are you will hear this CD playing."