was released back in 1993 - but it's new to me, as they say. Nobody epitomizes the high, lonesome sound better than Del McCoury, so this album largely choc-full of sad tunes is right in his wheelhouse. There are fully five songs with the word "blue" in the title, so the album name is appropriate (though, oddly enough, son Ronnie takes the lead vocal on the title track).Despite blue theme the band does get to show off its versatility, both in terms of the presentation of the songs and the sources of inspiration. There's the requisite blazing Ronnie McCoury mandolin instrumental ("Quicksburg Rendezvous"), the weepy waltz ("More Often Than Once In a While"), and the propulsive opener "Cheek To Cheek With the Blues." The band draws from rock (a terrific version of Jerry Lee Lewis' "What Made Milwaukee Famous"), country (Lefty Frizzell's "If You've Got the Money Honey"), and gospel ("I Know His Voice"). In a lot of ways, this is a paint-by-numbers Del McCoury album, but his is a group known more for delivery and passion than originality anyway. Delivery and passion aren't a problem here; a great example is the tragic "Cold Cheater's Heart," where Del's mournful delivery is bolstered by atmospheric dobro.
Sure, the album does get blue at times, but there's always a bright moment around the corner, even when the lyrics are sad. "I'm Lonely For My Only" is no cryin' in your beer tune; it's almost rock n' roll with bluegrass instruments, including a bluesy Ronnie McCoury mandolin solo that would make Keith Richards proud. This is the great tension of bluegrass music; the high lonesome sound with the rhythm and blues backbeat. Nobody hits that balance better than The Del McCoury Band. This isn't their most perfect album, but it's plenty good.
Del McCoury Band official site
was definitely on the minds of many of the artists and fans at the festival. There was a formal tribute on Friday, but there were many artists who played a Baker tune as a tribute, including three versions of "Jerusalem Ridge." Friday's fiddle workshop at one point turned into the panelists swapping Kenny Baker stories.
is one of my favorite albums of the year, and their set did not disappoint. Thile gave a sneak preview with an amazing set at the workshop tent, showing his range (from Bill Monroe tunes to Bach) and his incomporable mandolin playing. The set with Daves was the highlight of the main stage for me this year; 
and the Stowaways), with 
(Del was a member of 
) juxtaposed with a progressive jammy band like 
. In Colorado and in New England especially there seems to be a revival of bluegrass, with a hipster 20-something crowd embracing the same music that hippies did years earlier after 
.
I never would have thought that would work as a bluegrass song, but it sounded like it was made for the genre. Cellist Emma Hardin's voice captured the innocence of the original, and the bouncy accompaniment complimented it terrifically.