Customer Reviews

Heartbreak Town

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

 

 

This is a notable first album. While not as solid as many of his dad's albums (which he plays on) "Heartbreak Town" is still a worthy disc and it will certainly get your toes tapping.

There's a mix of songs penned by Ronnie and those written by others. As one other reviewer noted earlier, most of the songs deal with love and love lost. A few of the songs have some cheesy lyrics ("Last Call"), but the music is good and it'll take you past the sillier lyrical moments.

For the songs that Ronnie wrote there is a definate Irish tinge to some of them (like "Goldbrickin'" on the new Del McCoury album). "The Road from Coeburn to Warren" is bluegrass but its got a touch of Ireland in it for sure.

The instrumental "Dawggone" presumably a tribute to David Grisman (who also plays on the track) is absolutely hot. The Tex-Mex tinge of "Evangelina" makes it one of the stand out songs on the disc.

Ronnie definately has it in him to produce finer work, but this is a goof first effort and I look forward to more from the McCoury legacy.

Not straying far from the path laid down by his dad, Ronnie McCoury -- along with brother Rob, bassist Mike Bub, fiddlers Jason Carter and Stuart Duncan, guest pickers Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas and David Grisman, as well as Papa Del -- has definitely got the real goods, and that true, blue high lonesome sound. Nice choice of material as well, including a Hoyt Axton tune, one by John Hartford's son, Jamie Hartford, and a slew of amazingly well-written originals. A relaxed, low-key album, but also a dazzler.

The songwriting is okay for a first attempt at a solo album. Lost love and seperated lovers seem to be the overriding themes. Sounds like this cd is an attempt to work out personal problems, which is okay for a song or two, but would have preferred more variety in song topics. Del does wonderful harmonizing. His voice enriches the overall sound. Ronnie is coming along in terms of his own singing ability, but still had work to do. The accompaniments of Bela Fleck and Jerry Douglas gives the music more sophistication than the original band is capable of.

A good mix of songs, but his mandolin style is mimicked from past works. His voice, although on key is not very strong, and pales in comparison to his father, Del. I would give this work a passing grade.