Family Circle (McCoury Music, 2009)

From Sweet Appalachia to his girl leaning on a car fender in all of her Barbaric Splendor, Del McCoury reminds us his music and rural life is far from unsophisticated. The songs range from the straight bluegrass of Hello Lonely to the near swing tune I Remember You sung in high lonesome. There are waltzes, breakdowns, gold rush story songs and odes to moonshine in The Revenuer's Blues.

Del McCoury is a bluegrass singing man, but perhaps a touch more mellow these days. His son, Ronnie, sounds more like his father with each passing year, and McCoury also sounds more like Ronnie; still high lonesome, but not quite as hard an edge. The family harmony is spot on.

Butch Baldassari used to say Ronnie was the cleanest fast mandolin picker around, and that has not changed. Rob McCoury is always solid on banjo and can burn a break-down or play it sad on darker numbers. Jason Carter has been with the band long enough to play as if he was family, and not only does fine solo work, but excellent back-up.

McCoury remains true to his roots while also being innovative.