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HOME > REVIEWS > RONNIE MCCOURY Ronnie McCoury - Heartbreak Town No one personifies modern bluegrass better than Ronnie McCoury. A seven-time winner of the IBMA's Mandolinist of the Year Award and a stalwart of his father, Del McCoury's, white-hot bluegrass revival act, McCoury has the talent, tradition and temperament to forge a shining new path for bluegrass during this century. On Heartbreak Town, his first solo CD, he's assembled the members of his father's band and brought in a few ringers like David Grier, David Grisman, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas and Stuart Duncan to create one of the first great bluegrass CDs of the 2000's. No one who's followed his career will express any surprise that there's a ton of great mandolin playing here. McCoury contributes some truly brilliant instrumental originals here, including the Monroe-inspired, downstroke tour de force of Glen Rock and the homage to David Grisman called--what else?--Dawggone. Ronnie truly sets the standard here for modern bluegrass mandolin, hammering licks from his Gilchrist with a force and vitality not heard since Monroe in his heyday. His Noppet Hill Breakdown stands out as a tune likely to be played around bluegrass campfires for years to come. More surprising is his emergence as a great lead vocalist, carving through the plaintive Hoyt Axton classic Evangelina and the hard-driving Last Call with a voice like cold mountain water etching its signature into limestone. Rest assured, when the days comes that Del decides to put his touring days behind him, there's another McCoury who can step up and hit 'em out of the ballpark. Heartbreak Town brings together some of the best young bluegrass players around. There's David Grier, just as much a son of the traditional style of bluegrass as Ronnie, matching his friend note for on the fiddle-tune-inspired The Road From Coeburn To Warren. Fiddlers Duncan and Carter know the old masters Baker and Martin well enough to evoke their heart and soul while injecting their own insights and inventions. Brother Rob's banjo percolates along with a great bluegrass snap and bounce. Heartbreak Town, more than anything, proves convincingly that modern bluegrass can meet the high standards laid down by Monroe, Stanley, Flatt & Scruggs and the other originators. Take a long, slow walk though Heartbreak Town. Linger awhile, maybe check out the bars there. Believe me, it's pure pleasure. Song List: Heartbreak Town, The Road From Coeburn To Warren, Somebody's Gonna Pay, Lilly Hoskins, Dawggone, Our Loves Never Dies, Evangelina, Glen Rock, Sometimes Sleep Closes These Eyes, When The Hurt's Talkin', Cold Lonesome Feeling, Noppet Hill Breakdown, Last Call |
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