Here In The Country

For the better part of five decades banjo master Terry Baucom, a multi-IBMA Award winner, has had a dynamic presence on the bluegrass scene. He was a founding member of Boone Creek, Doyle Lawson’s Original Quicksilver, The New Quicksilver and IIIrd Tyme Out. Along the way, he’s been a member of several other high-profile bands.

Since 2015, he’s headed his own outfit, The Dukes of Drive. And on the group’s latest album, “drive” they do. The picking throughout is gripping, precise and finally nuanced. When called for on tracks such as the desperate “Thumbin’ Down” (written by Dave Carroll) and the powerhouse “My Baby On My Mind” (Edgar Loudermilk) the arrangements are churning and super-charged. 

On other selections like the introspective “The Table” (Jerry Andrews and Bruce Winges) the band dials it down into soulful tenderness. Baucom’s wife Cindy turns in an excellent lead vocal on this latter cut.

“Here In The Country,” the opener (cowritten by Jamie Dailey and Devin McGlamery), is a moving paeon to the joys and virtues of clean country living. On the flip side, “Lonesometown” (Tim Stafford and Rick Lang) paints a somber portrait of the dreariest of dreary crossroads that’s good for nothing except getting out. Here and elsewhere lead vocalist/mandolin player Will Clark shines.

“If I Don’t Lose My Fire” (Eric Gibson and Trey Hensley) is a passionate and determined statement about keeping the faith in the face of all obstacles. “Hello Blues” (Mark “Brink” Brinkman and Aaron Bibelhauser) is, on the other hand, a tortured tale of love gone bad and sorrow settling in to stay.

The closing cut, “Christmas At The Old Homeplace” (Rick Lang and Bill Whyte) is steeped in the sweet nostalgia and idyllic imagery of a traditional yuletide celebration. Here, once again, Cindy Baucom turns in a lovely vocal reading.

For the better part of five decades banjo master Terry Baucom, a multi-IBMA Award winner, has had a dynamic presence on the bluegrass scene. He was a founding member of Boone Creek, Doyle Lawson’s Original Quicksilver, The New Quicksilver and IIIrd Tyme Out. Along the way, he’s been a member of several other high-profile bands.

Since 2015, he’s headed his own outfit, The Dukes of Drive. And on the group’s latest album, “drive” they do. The picking throughout is gripping, precise and finally nuanced. When called for on tracks such as the desperate “Thumbin’ Down” (written by Dave Carroll) and the powerhouse “My Baby On My Mind” (Edgar Loudermilk) the arrangements are churning and super-charged. 

On other selections like the introspective “The Table” (Jerry Andrews and Bruce Winges) the band dials it down into soulful tenderness. Baucom’s wife Cindy turns in an excellent lead vocal on this latter cut.

“Here In The Country,” the opener (cowritten by Jamie Dailey and Devin McGlamery), is a moving paeon to the joys and virtues of clean country living. On the flip side, “Lonesometown” (Tim Stafford and Rick Lang) paints a somber portrait of the dreariest of dreary crossroads that’s good for nothing except getting out. Here and elsewhere lead vocalist/mandolin player Will Clark shines.

“If I Don’t Lose My Fire” (Eric Gibson and Trey Hensley) is a passionate and determined statement about keeping the faith in the face of all obstacles. “Hello Blues” (Mark “Brink” Brinkman and Aaron Bibelhauser) is, on the other hand, a tortured tale of love gone bad and sorrow settling in to stay.

The closing cut, “Christmas At The Old Homeplace” (Rick Lang and Bill Whyte) is steeped in the sweet nostalgia and idyllic imagery of a traditional yuletide celebration. Here, once again, Cindy Baucom turns in a lovely vocal reading.