Quick Hit : Steve Earle and the Del McCoury Band – The Mountain

“You want to be in the band? You have to put on your hat”. Those are the opening words spoken by Steve Earle just before you are taken into bluegrass heaven. Earle and the Del McCoury Band explode into a celebration of this great music. They open with a train song just for good measure. A little story of a kid and his grandpa taking a trip on the ‘Texas Eagle’.

One song and I’m in. The next song continues the ride. If you aren’t partial to this style of music because of all the watered down commercial, whatever they call that new country, blank it out and listen to some great American music. Born from all the influences brought over from Ireland, Scotland, England, Germany and whatever else the people threw in. The harmony and musicianship are beyond top notch. Iris Dement and Earle  do a great duet. Graveyard Shift swings with a touch of blues and it even rocks. Not a bad cut on the record.

This isn’t some over produced formula record. It’s for real. A celebration by people who get it and love it so we love it with them. This music is wonderful stuff with deep roots, played with passion and skill. This music has the good times/bad times but always the soul. CB has  been listening to bluegrass (and Earle) for a lot of years and when it’s played like this it never fails to grab me. Listen to ‘The Mountain’ and see if it doesn’t move you. The title song is a killer.

(Below is a link of Levon Helm singing the title song from his album ‘Dirt Farmer’. He was born to sing it. )