* ALBUM REVIEWS | BLUEGRASS
MIKEL TOOMBS
* 02/25/99
The San Diego Union-Tribune
(Copyright 1999)
THE MOUNTAIN
* STEVE EARLE AND THE DEL McCOURY BAND
E-Squared
* * *
Country's hard-timer collides with the light-fingered pickers of
* bluegrass' finest.
* Steve Earle impishly introduces the album by threatening to recite
the Mickey Mouse theme, then strums a few power guitar chords before
he's trumped by the McCoury clan and band. At that point, everyone
begins bringing it all back home.
The Dylan reference is apt, because "The Mountain" recalls Bob's
shocking rockin' folk forays of the mid-'60s (although, ironically,
not his later, sweeter country efforts). The crude slur of Earle's
vocals stands in contrast to the McCourys' subtle playing; at the
* same time, his songs reflect a serious dedication to bluegrass and
its founding father, Bill Monroe. (Earle, true to form, calls him Mr.
Bill.)
On the other hand, Earle is roundly outsung by the likes of Emmylou
Harris, in the massive chorus for the all-star "Pilgrim," and Iris
DeMent, who channels Linda Ronstadt as she duets on "I'm Still in
Love With You."
