A Deeper Shade of Blue
McCoury grabs songs from a variety of sources and molds them all into traditional-bluegrass shape. Assisted by his sons Rob (banjo) and Ronnie (mandolin), the elder McCoury moves from Lefty Frizzell and Willie Nelson to Bill Monroe and 1930s bluesman Leroy Carr. Tight group harmonies and ensemble picking form the foundation while McCoury's wailing voice combines the high lonesome sound of mountain music with the inflections of a blues singer. The instrumental "Quicksburg Rondezvous" displays the band's hot-picking prowess while the gospel "I Know His Voice" features sensitive support from Ronnie's mandolin and aching vocals from his father.--Marc Greilsamer