ARTIST: Steve Earle and the Del McCoury Band

ALBUM: The Mountain (1999)

This is my favorite Steve Earle album, next to "Transcendental Blues" which followed up with
a rockin' right fist to the mandible. If you keep up with Bluegrass music, you know about the
Del McCoury Band, but I don't know much about them other than they make my ears smile 'cause of their jiggin', shit-stompin', free-wheelin', grinnin' hillbilly-like authenticity. I heard this one playing in another one of those "cd trader" stores, so I asked what it was, then I bought it. Take Steve Earle's natural edge, gritty twang, lyrics & attitude, then slap Del and his boys in the same room, and you have a totally kick-ass, unique record true to it's roots. Steve sure comes across convincingly as a super bluegrass aficionada in all respects, and his stories just help give it that final kick-in-the-trousers into "Awesomeville", if you know what mean. http://www.steveearle.com