Customer Reviews

Del and the Boys

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If none of the other reviews for this album have sold you yet, then you just don't like bluegrass music. If you could only buy one bluegrass album this should be your choice. As my review title indicates, this album is a "greatest hits" album all on its own. I bought this album and then saw Del and the Boys live in Lexington, VA. I just cannot say enough about the songs; they are all outstanding. 1952 Vincent Black Lightning is so good I listened to it back-to-back about 5 or 6 times before I listened to the next song. Its story reminds the listener of Bonnie and Clyde and the song combines the bitter sweet lyrics of Richard Thompson with Del's wonderfully distinctive voice. Listen to the sound of each individual instrument all the way through. Every member - Ronnie and Rob McCoury, Jason Carter, Mike Bub - play as if its the last, best song they will ever play. Each deserves player of the year for their respective instrument. And that's just the first song on the album! Goldbrickin', Gone But Not Forgotten . . . I can't say enough. This is by far the very best bluegrass album I have ever heard.

This album is definitely the best bluegrass album of the year, and quite possibly the best album of any genre. The DMB's handling of Richard Thompson's "52 Vincent..." has in my opinion created one of the all time best American story songs, and is a must hear. Plus, hearing Del's voice howl on that Sinatra song, "Learning the Blues", is guaranteed to make you cry, or least want to. The guys take up a rockin' pace with greats such as "All Aboard", "Bluegrass Country", "Gone But Not Forgotten", and my favorite, "Travelin Teardrop Blues", but don't miss the excellent Del original, "A Good Man". This is a great song and I think I read, that it hasn't been available on anything since an old Del album circa the early to late seventys? Of course, those who know of Del's son Ronnie, would probably buy the album just for the instrumental he wrote called "Goldbricken". However, that's not all this CD has to offer, "Count Me Out" really showcases the band's ability to harmonize, "King's Schilling" again exemplifies the range and intracacies of Del's voice and is a great story song too, and "Recovering Pharisee" is a "true life" gospel song, not the kind you'll get in church, and should not be missed. Then there is the other Del originial, "Unequal Love", which tells of a love for another that is not returned, it's a feeling we've all had, and a song to be appreciated.

This album is great, and with all due respect, I disagree with the previous review. If you are a first time bluegrass listener, you probably will love, love, love the former Bluegrass Boy voice of Del McCoury and the excellent musical abilities of him and his band, which includes, Ronnie McCoury on mandolin, Rob McCoury on Banjo, Jason Carter on fiddle, and Mike Bub on bass, they are not to be missed. Don't believe me, see for yourself, buy the album, check out a show near you and you will never stop being a fan of the Del McCoury Band.

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.

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.

I am sorry to say that I never heard of Del McCoury until a few days ago. I heard the band live for the first time at the Down from the Mountain concert tour and was absolutely stopped cold by their extraordinary musical ability. I bought "Del & the Boys" before the concert was over (and so did the guy standing behind me) even though I knew I was paying more than I had to, and I haven't been disappointed. There are some real gems on this album -- particularly "All Aboard," "Recovering Pharisee" (what a great lyric line) and "Goldbrickin" (note the Celtic opening)-- as well as 1952 Vincent Black Lightning. This is a real American sound. What great music.

Five very talented musicians elicit a gigantic sound from their
instruments. Old timey singing coupled with marvelous acoustics.
Unusual, but this group sounds even better in person but if you
got to settle for a CD, this is a good choice.

There is nothing about Del McCoury and his totally ace band that isn't astonishing. From the flawless picking, to that stunning voice of his (the oft used phase "high lonesome" isn't even enough to describe it -- it must be heard to be believed) they are nothing short of extraordinary.

But take all of the above ingredients and add a batch of great songs and the result is one of the best albums of the year. Whoever came up with the idea for the band to do a bluegrass cover of Richard Thopmpson's masterpiece "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" is a genius and the result proves this. Other highlights: "Learning the Blues," "Count Me Out," "Goldbricking," "Gone But Not Forgotten," and "The King's Schilling," but then again there isn't a skippable cut here. Don't miss!

I'm new to the bluegrass world and recently caught Del and the Boys before a String Cheese Incident show in North Carolina. I was absolutely blown away. I picked this album at the show and its been in heavy rotation in my system ever since. This band is a tight as any band can ever be and it comes across in the studio album. Del's voice & Ronnie's mandolin work really shine on this album.

This band's latest album, Del and the Boys is hot, fun, artistic, and a tour de force of musicianship. Further proof this is the most talented and creative gathering of bluegrass players and singers ever. The remake of British folk icon Richard Thompson's 1952 Black Vincent is beautifully rendered. Count Me Out, Unequal Love, A Good Man, Bluegrass Country and Lonesome Teardrop Blues are nods to the traditional with mandolin, banjo, fiddle breaks and solos interspersed with the lonesome high tenor harmonies that make you feel so good that you wonder why we don't just all learn how to do it and be singing with each other on the streets and around the house just for the fun of it. Gone But Not Forgotten and Goldbricken are flat out steamin'hot precision flying with a tightness that can only be achieved by 10 years on the road and sharing the same DNA.

Go see 'em live, and wear sandals cause your socks will be knocked off!

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.