Del, Gentlemen digital reissues coming soon

Two more gems from the Rebel Records catalog are set for digital re-release next Tuesday (11/23). One each from Del McCoury and The Country Gentlemen will be available from iTunes, Amazon, or wherever you shop for audio downloads.

The 1975 Rebel debut album from Del McCoury (self-titled) showcases the current bluegrass superstar as he was first coming into his own. It was recorded with his then current touring band, The Dixie Pals: Bill Runkle on banjo, Donnie Eldreth on mandolin, Bill Poffinberger on fiddle, and Dewey Renfro on bass.

A number of songs that have become McCoury classics are included:

Rain and Snow Andy’s Honey Loggin’ Man Springtime of Life Corina Blackmail Your Heart

Rain Please Go Away Hang Your Head in Shame I Told You That If I Had to Live Without You I’ve Endured I’ve Been Away Just a Little Too Long

Rebel released The Best of the Early Years from The Country Gentlemen in 1970, but all of the tracks had been recorded in the early 60s with what has come to be the “classic” Gentlemen lineup of Charlie Waller on guitar, John Duffey on mandolin, Eddie Adcock on banjo, and Tom Gray on bass. These weren’t actually the original members, but this was the lineup that first came to national prominence.

Rebel tells us that some of these tracks have never been in digital release until now, and unavailable since the LP went out of print in the early 1980s.

The Young Fisherwoman Bluebirds Are Singing I Am Weary Heartaches Lonesome Day Katy Dear

This Morning At Nine 500 Miles Copper Kettle The Gentleman Is Blue Can’t You Hear Me Callin You Left Me Alone

Look for them both on the 23rd.

Rebel promises two more digital reissues for December: Curly Ray Cline’s Chicken Reel and Dave Evans’ Bluegrass Memories.