McCoury's first album as a bandleader was recorded in two days in December 1967. Although he didn't have a regular band at the time, he was backed by a solid quartet (though five other musicians appear in all, with Tommy Neal and
Dewey Renfro alternating on bass), three of them capable background singers as well.
McCoury's vocals had the high lonesome sound for which bluegrass is esteemed, but put over with more easygoing, engaging friendliness than some slicker, flashier singers and players. The songs are a well-chosen mix of traditional standards and songs by his one-time boss
Bill Monroe; the
Monroe-
Lester Flatt collaboration "Sweetheart You Done Me Wrong";
Johnny Bond;
Kitty Wells;
Jimmie Rodgers; and, on just one tune (the ballad "Dreams," one of the more pensive heartfelt numbers),
McCoury himself. ~ Richie Unterberger