Search - Del Mccoury Band :: Promised Land

Heaven on a CD!

John A. Gregorio | Castalian Springs, TN | 06/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"How can you miss with some of the best instrumentalist in Bluegrass and the Tenor who put the L in Lonesome? The song selection is perfect. It is common for critics and musicians to state a group is bluegrass BUT is much more. Newgrass, Contemporary Bluegrass and other labels are used. I like many of these efforts, but it is a joy to hear a band play "pure" bluegrass. No fusion, no pseudo hip-hop, and no rock or other music guest stars!

You cannot beat bluegrass gospel played with spirit with every note. Highly recommended."

The McCoury musical magic is first pew

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 11/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 42:51



What They Do: They're on the top of the bluegrass game and play songs full of warmth and passion to celebrate the spirit of God. Del delivers each song with convincing emotion, and his lonesome highs are always piercingly clear.



Little Known Facts: This is the band's first all-gospel project, and I'm told that Del McCoury has never recorded a gospel music album in his five decade long career.



The Songs: The set draws heavily from the material of Oklahoma-born Albert E. Brumley, the most popular white gospel composer among rural southernerns in the 1930s. His songs present visions of a caring, personal Savior and of an abundant, pastoral Heaven where old acquaintances would be renewed. "I'll put on a crown and walk all around all over God's Promised Land." The album opens with Brumley's "I'm Bound For the Land of Canaan" and "It's Surprising What The Lord Can Do" has Del switching to his soaring tenor on the choruses. In fact, a number of their vocal arrangements have Del jumping up to the higher harmony on choruses. Halfway through the set, the band supercharges the music with Brumley's "Led By The Master's Hand" and the band's remarkably distinct vocals. Following that, in "It's An Unfriendly World" a beggar asks for some guidance in a world full of sorrow and sin. Other classics from Brumley include "I'll Put On A Crown and Walk Around"and the album closer "The Lord is Writing Down Names."



A beautiful duet with Ronnie and Del is is presented in the ¾-time "Gold Under My Feet," while the band's splendid quartet is illustrated in "Five Flat Rocks," that also showcases Ronnie McCoury's consummate guitar skill. A strong nod to tradition is Pete Pyle's "Don't Put Off Until Tomorrow" that kicks off with Ronnie's tremolo and downstrokes on his eight strings of fame. From Mississippi, Pete Pyle had been a soloist on the Opry who also was member of Bill Monroe's band. Del McCoury and Jerry Salley co-wrote "Ain't Nothin' Gonna Come Up Today" that suggests we fight Satan on our knees. Instrumentally, you won't find a band that is much more solid than Del's. The band's newest addition, Alan Bartram on bass, is rock solid and also contributes to some of the vocal harmonies.



The Musicians: Del sings and picks guitar with his sons Ronnie (mandolin) and Robbie (banjo), as well as with Jason Carter (fiddle) and Alan Bartram (bass)



The Bottomline: The 67-year-old Del McCoury shows no signs of slowing down. The McCoury musical magic is first pew.



Reviewed By: Joe Ross (staff writer, Bluegrass Now)



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