The Company We Keep The Del McCoury Band

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CD

  • Release Date: 07/12/2005
  • Sales Rank: 19,473
  • Label: MCCOURY MUSIC
  • UPC: 829305000221

Listener Rating: (1 ratings)

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Track List
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The Company We Keep

1LISTENNothin' Special 3:12
2LISTENNever Grow Up Boy 3:21
3LISTENIf Here Is Where You Are 2:41
4LISTENShe Can't Burn Me Now 3:55
5LISTENMountain Song 3:43
6LISTENUntamed 3:17
7LISTENSeventh Heaven 4:06
8LISTENFathers and Sons 3:22
9LISTENWhen It Stops Hurtin' 3:26
10LISTENKeep Her While She's There 2:45
11LISTENWhen Fall's Coming Down 3:27
12LISTENI Never Knew Life 3:58
13LISTENEyes That Won't Meet Mine 3:22
14LISTENBlown Away and Gone 3:53

Editorial Reviews

In one of his revealing songs, the sagacious Del McCoury sings, "Don't ever let it be said darlin' / That what I do don't bring me joy / Climb in the seat beside my Martin / 'Cause I'm a guitar-picking, bluegrass-singing / Never grow up boy." That telling lyric (from "Never Grow Up Boy") says everything about Del: the dedicated bluegrass man possessed by the music and the life that comes with it, enjoying the youthful vigor it gives him. His energy spurs some great moments on the smart, fiery The Company We Keep, especially in the jaw-dropping instrumental byplay driving the tunes. Fiddler Jason Carter weaves a tapestry of urgent, flowing lines amid the scintillating banjo and mandolin work of the McCoury sons, Rob and Ronnie, respectively, in the driving album opener, "Nothing Special," which sets the stage for wondrous things to come. Singing of good intentions gone awry, bad women, ever-rich family ties (in a well observed, folkish chronicle of parenting pitfalls, "Fathers and Sons"), and the strength of his faith (the stark, moving hymn "I Never Knew Life," an object lesson in southern gospel quartet harmonizing), Del opens himself up like never before. His astringent voice imparts the wisdom of his 66 years, soaring and dipping as it plumbs his most sensitive emotions. Despite some heavy subject matter, though, this album is an upbeat exercise -- witness Ronnie's self-penned, barn-burning instrumental "Seventh Heaven," the rambunctious (and gleefully executed) kiss-off tune "She Can't Burn Me Now," and the lowdown, thumping country blues "When It Stops Hurtin' " to hear bluegrass at its most life affirming, arising from the moment when heart meets technical mastery, the byproduct of which is music of Olympian stature. David McGee, Barnes & Noble



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Customer Reviews

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Company We Keepby Anonymous

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August 04, 2005: Playing Time – 51:37 It’s difficult to maintain your place when you’re already on top. Everyone’s been wondering how the Del McCoury Band would follow the album “It’s Just the Night,” that won IBMA’s Album of the Year Award for 2004. The very first item you notice about The Del McCoury Band’s “The Company We Keep” (the second on their own McCoury Music label, distributed exclusively by Sugar Hill Records) is the high quality production of the 12-page fold out CD jacket with liner notes, numerous color photos, and lyrics to all songs on this generous 52-minute project. First impressions and marketing ARE important! While the music always takes priority, it’s great to see their record company not skimp on the rest of the product. Del and the Boys have never been content to merely rest on their laurels. Rather, they’ve always been strong proponents of giving their fans 125% whether it be in live concert or on compact disc. That’s the attitude that Del conveys when he sings his original (co-written with Harley Allen) “Never Grow Up Boy” about being a “guitar pickin’, bluegrass singing, never grow up boy” whose dreams “can set men free.” Del and Harley also wrote “Keep Her While She’s There.” Del also collaborated with Don Schlitz on “If Here is Where You Are.” Ronnie McCoury’s instrumental “Seventh Heaven” is top-notch. The Del McCoury Band is also a full-speed-ahead band packed with vocal and instrumental energy and excitement. One song in ¾ time (When Fall’s Coming Down) provides its nice contrasting rhythmic beat at track eleven. They keep their music upbeat and distinctive as they deliver the bluegrass goods written by such songcrafters as Mark Walton, Joseph New & Jeff Silbar, Larry Keel, Liz Meyer, Gary Nicholson, Jeff & Dean Presley, Jerry Salley & Susanne Mumpower-Johnson, Mark Simos & Jon Weisberger. We have to thank these writers for some very cool songs that bring out the best in this band! We have to thank the Del McCoury Band for being some of the hardest working musicians in the bluegrass business, and for being meticulous with all the details that come with the fame. Not just great entertainers, the band members are truly highly credible and professional emissaries for the genre. In eight years, McCoury’s been IBMA’s Entertainer of the Year. “The Company We Keep” pays tribute and expresses gratitude to all friends, family and team members who have helped make them what they are. The CD’s back cover shows Del’s grandkids at the head of the table and indicates that the McCoury bluegrass tradition is in very good hands. (Joe Ross, Roseburg, OR.)