Customer Reviews

The Promised Land

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It's hard to believe that it took Del McCoury more than forty years to record his first all-gospel album, but THE PROMISED LAND was worth the wait. This 14-track collection is a treat for the ears as well as the soul.

The album kicks of with "I'm Bound for the Land of Canaan," one of seven songs composed by Albert E. Brumley. Best known for "I'll Fly Away" (not included here), Brumley wrote more than 800 songs during his lifetime and was selected to the Country Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Songs run the gamut from the stately "We Know Where He Is" to the bouncy "I'll Put on a Crown & Walk Around." Among the highlights are a bluesy version of "Five Flat Rocks" with stunning four-part harmony and Ronnie and Rob McCoury providing some wonderful guitar picking. "The Lord Is Writing Down Names" also showcases Ronnie's and Rob's guitar prowess.

There is not a weak track on this album. If you're a fan of traditional bluegrass and gospel music, this album will not disappoint. [Running Time - 42.55] VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

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.

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)

Saw Del in concert in Savannah, Ga. I have most of his albums and this one is great.....My mom died a couple of months ago and before she died we listened to this on the way to doctors visits....I now cherish this album and listen to it often...It reminds me of her and our faith that one day we will be together in a happier place....the songs are inspirational and full of great pickin and harmonies....get it...

Del is tops. His music, lyrics, all of his performances, really great.
The instrumental music that backs him is top notch. Highly recommended to folks who love country gospel bluegrass. Technics of the group playing their instruments is extrememly high quality.

I love this new album of gospel or songs of the Lord. Again The McCoury Band has given us another great album to listen to and enjoy. Get this album you will love it.

If you love bluegrass and the Lord, then this is the CD for you. Great songs which get you clappin' and lift your spirit!!!!

McCoury's first gospel-oriented Bluegrass is fantastic! It features Del's high crooning tenor, with the occasional soulful wail, buttressed by his son's (Rob & Ronnie) instrumental and close-fitting vocal harmonies. Jason Carter is an amazing fiddler and back-up vocalist, and Alan Bartram provides a drivin' bass beat that makes the music soar.

All of the music, save one track, is original. Del pours his soul into the music and it shows. I was lucky to hear them do an in-store promotional (Louisville's Ear-Xtacy) which rocked. Their harmonies were tight and polished. This is a "slam-dunk" Grammy!

As The Promised Land testifys. The best band in bluegrass soars in this encomium to the Lord. McCoury's plaintive vocals never sound better, and the rest of the Boys more than hold their own. Not to be missed.