The new CD from Dwight McCall just landed in my mailbox over the weekend. The CD is titled Never Say Never Again, taking it’s name from the second song on the recording. Today is the release date for this recording, so it should be available now. It’s released on the Rural Rhythm label.
Dwight has been playing mandolin and singing with J.D. Crowe’s band The New South for several years now. Fans of Dwight’s first solo recording, Kentucky Peace of Mind, will want to get this new CD.
The recording includes a total of 14 songs ranging from the traditional Blue Eyed Boston Boy to the more contemporary feeling title cut written by Wayne Winkle and Craig Market. One track I’m especially excited about is Logan’s Crossroad written by Mike Evens and published by Brinksongs. This is a great Civil War song telling the story of a long battle that saw the loss of “many good men.” I’ve loved this tune since I first heard the demo a year ago.
Another cut worth mention is the classic Michael Martin Murphy tune Lost River. I remember this cut from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and it’s always been a favorite. Dwight’s version begins with an incredible mandolin kick-off from mando master Alan Bibey, and the rest of the track lives up to the standard set by Alan. The ending solo section, split by Alan’s mandolin and Ron Stewart’s banjo, is sure to bring to a smile your face. This cut was a highlight for me.
Two of the 14 songs are gospel, one written by Jon Weisberger and the other penned by Dwight himself. The later, He Never Turned Away, is one of the more uptempo songs on the CD and one I would list as a favorite.
The traditional tune, Little Bessie, is the last song I’ll mention. The harmony singing on this tune is excellent, featuring Dwight on lead and baritone vocals, and Rickey Wasson filling in the low tenor. It’s also my favorite mix on the entire CD with the solos out front and the rhythm pounding.
Overall this is a strong outing for Dwight, which finds him surrounded by stellar musicians on each track.
The artists featured on the disc include:
- Dwight McCall: mandolin and vocals
- Alan Bibey: mandolin
- Ron Stewart: banjo, fiddle and mandolin
- Harold Nixon: bass
- Brian Stephens: guitar
- Randy Kohrs: dobro
- Lou Reid: vocals
- Ricky Wasson: vocals
- Steve Gulley: vocals
- Missy Werner: vocals
I couldn’t find any audio samples online, but you can take my word for it, this is a great recording.
