The Promised Land (CD - 2006)

For decades, guitarist and singer Del McCoury, his two sons, and their renowned band, have been a byword for high-quality traditional bluegrass picking that is never content to rest on its laurels. Their 2006 album THE PROMISED LAND features a variety of traditional religious songs, like "I'm Bound for the Land of Canaan," "Jesus Carried Me a Cross," and "Gold Under My Feet" that, as well as a display of time-honored religious faith, are a showcase for the band's signature high lonesome vocal harmonies and fiery musical skills.

The Del McCoury Band followed 2005's Grammy-winning Company We Keep with their first-ever all-gospel record, the reliably stellar Promised Land. For a man who is over 40 years into his career, it's surprising that McCoury took so long to lay down a collection of bluegrass gospel classics, as seemingly every other artist in the genre has had their turn at the pulpit. Thankfully, there's no "Amazing Grace," "Have a Little Talk with Jesus," or "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" to be found here; rather, McCoury and his juggernaut of a band have dug up some real gems for Promised Land. Between the rousing gallop of "Canaan's Happy Land," the cocky strut of "I'll Put on a Crown and Walk Around," and the easy Sunday waltz "We Know Where He Is," the Del McCoury Band have found the perfect middle ground between old-school masters like the Louvin Brothers and contemporary stalwarts like Ricky Skaggs. ~ James Christopher Monger minimize