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CD Review from The Golden Link Folk Singing Society newsletter, September, 2000 Delaney Brothers Bluegrass
Two years ago, Sherri Reese dragged me down to Manhattan Square Park to a bluegrass concert featuring her friends, the Delaney Brothers. She had been touting their music since we first met and I figured it was time for me to determine whether or not she had good musical taste. I approached the concert with my trademark skepticism and came away a fan in the first degree. I have since seen the Delaneys a number of times in a number of concert settings, and each time I have been impressed with their absolute devotion to Bluegrass, its roots, and their ability to present their music with an air of authenticity. This past Saturday night they once again appeared in concert at Manhattan Square and I attended this concert with great anticipation because it was the first chance I would have to pick up their new, just-released CD, Full Spectrum. Full Spectrum generously offers 21 tunes, each performed with the level of energy you would expect from a "live" performance. The quality of recording is excellent and the mixing is superb. The CD opens with the rollicking instrumental, "Shuckin' the Corn," and without hesitation carries the pace right into the Gospel song, "I Have Found the Way." This two-song intro expertly signals the band's lineup, with fiddle and banjo leads in the first half and the fine ensemble harmony singing on the latter. A lovely harmony-sung ballad, "Lonely Moon," follows with a hauntingly beautiful traditional mountain sound. One of my favorites, "Katrina's Lullaby," featuring the mandolin, fiddle, and banjo follows, with solos that flow sweetly from start to finish. This slow instrumental, written by John Delaney, is a wonderful showpiece for the group. Next, are two Gospel songs, Don Reno's "The Lord's Last Supper" and "What Will You Do With This Man?" The Delaney Brothers have been planning to do a Gospel CD for some time now, and with songs like these included on this recording I can only hope that it will be soon. The Delaneys are avid lovers of the music of Bill Monroe and reward us next with two Monroe compositions. First is "Jerusalem Ridge," a classic Bill Monroe fiddle/mandolin tune, played with impeccable timing and grace. They follow with one of Monroe's Gospel songs, "Wicked Path of Sin," featuring the band's wonderful four-part harmony. Ray Delaney's handsome guitar playing leads us into another Gospel tune, "Preaching by the Roadside," another one of my favorites. Nice harmonies and a really nice feel to the rhythm. Ray's good friend Steve Lundberg wrote the next instrumental, "Monroe's Lament," after he and Ray attended Bill Monroe's funeral. It's a lovely interpretation of the Monroe sound with a touch of melancholy. Another fine ensemble piece. At the halfway point in the CD we are treated to "Better Days to Come," an upbeat look at adversity, with a classic Bluegrass arrangement. John sings the lead and is joined in that great sibling harmony by brother Ray. Next is a wonderful, "inspired" instrumental arrangement of "How Great Thou Art." No pretension here. Just an absolutely sweet rendering of this Gospel classic with fiddle and mandolin shining the lights on Scott Corbett's creative banjo styling. "Heart of a Little Mountain Girl (revisited)" is a tight little arrangement of this mountain-flavored song, with a little of "Lady Be Good" thrown in for good measure. This song has really grown on me. I never grow tired of hearing "Ashokan Farewell," and I certainly wait with anticipation for this track to come 'round. The Delaneys' fiddler, Joe Davoli, renders a flawless version of this contemporary classic, and the band plays a perfect accompaniment. One of my favorite spots on this CD is when "Ashokan Farewell" ends, and after I've been lulled into a fiddle moment, the full group gently brings me back with another favorite of mine, "He Rode All the Way to Texas," a country/folk-flavored tune about ramblin'. The upbeat love song, "The Only Girl," follows, with a fairly nice band arrangement and nice chorus harmonies. Tim O'Brien's "A Time to Learn," a retrospective look at death and the loved ones left behind, again features the sweet sibling harmonies of brothers John and Ray. Bill Monroe pops up again on the band's arrangement of his instrumental "Kentucky Mandolin." The Delaneys know his music well and play it even weller. Next, "The Hills That I Call Home" is what I call "Green Grass," in that it's a beautiful mountain country-flavored ballad from the mountains of Vermont. Finishing out the CD are the ever-favorite "Sawing on the Strings" and Bill Monroe's theme. A fitting way to end this wonderful recording by one of this area's best bluegrass bands. Delaney Brothers Bluegrass consist of Ray Delaney, guitar; John Delaney, mandolin; Scott Corbett, banjo; Joe Davoli, fiddle; and Frank Dauenhauer, bass. The CD Full Spectrum is available from the Delaney Brothers through their Web site: www.delaneybrothers.com. But right now the best place to pick it up will be at the Turtle Hill Festival, September 8, 9, and 10, where they will be one of the featured acts. Newsletter of the Golden Link Folk Singing Society
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