Del McCoury

This single-disc rendering of 2009's Celebrating 50 Years of Del McCoury box set features 14 of McCoury's most beloved recordings. Hand-picked by the family to best represent the songs that receive the most frequent audience hoots and hollers, the appropriately titled By Request (McCoury never brings a set list to a gig), relies on the band's more recent recordings. With the exception of "Nashville Cats" from 1999's Family and "All Aboard" and "1952 Vincent Black Lightning" from 2001's Del and the Boys, By Request is a collection of all new recordings. Del, along with sons Ronnie and Rob, take on Ola Belle Reed's "High on the Mountain," Bill Monroe's "Bluest Man in Town," Wilbur Jones' "White House Blues," Red Lane's "Black Jack County Chains," David Olney's "Queen Anne's Lace," and a handful of originals with the usual mix of rugged charm and impeccable musicianship, resulting in a delicious appetizer for those unwilling to dive into (or drop money on) the 50-song buffet from which it's derived. ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide