VIDEO: The Del McCoury Band - Misty

[wamubluegrass]

Here is The Del McCoury Band performing Misty for the WAMU's Bluegrass Country YouTube channel.

That's Del McCoury on guitar, Alan Bartram on bass, Jason Carter on fiddle, Rob McCoury on banjo, and Ronnie McCoury on mandolin.

[fredfrank]

Too cool.

[AlanN]

As only Del can do. I love it.

[bagpipe]

That was great - unexpected material too. I love how musicians like the McCourys can make it all look so effortless.

[grimer]

Awesome, awesome band. I love Jason Carter's playing.

[Ivan Kelsall]

This was released way back in 1975 - Larry McNeely doing the honours on banjo :- http://youtu.be/nVhUpCy8Th8 I have the original 45 rpm disc.
Grimer - If you like Jason Carter's fiddle playing,if you haven't got it already,buy his CD ''On TheMove'',it's terrific & has a lot of stuff with a very trad. Bluegrass style feel to it,
Ivan

[Dobe]

[QUOTE=Ivan Kelsall;1279656]....If you like Jason Carter's fiddle playing,if you haven't got it already,buy his CD ''On TheMove''......

Yeah great album. I think from the liner notes, the story goes something like: 'Jason decided to learn fiddle and he wanted to be in Dels' band someday. 4 years later, he made it . Talk about determination (and talent) !

Ronnie's looking more like Dad every year.

[AlanN]

Thanks for the Ray Stevens link, Ivan. Figured Del and them patterned their thing more after a country chart than the Errol Garner. Great, regardless.

[Ken Olmstead]

I want a whole album of it Del!!!!

[stevedenver]

wow, that's something I wouldn't have thought of......cool
vocal is well, fresh.........LOL

[Ron McMillan]

Great fun. The unexpected song choice only added to the fun.

[Ivan Kelsall]

That song, done either by Ray Stevens or Del's band is fun all the way !. It has a lovely,'even paced' swing to it - terrific !. This last cople of weeks,i've watched a few high quality YouTube vids.of Del & the boys, & Ronnie's Gil is awesome. I can fully understand why he's sidelined his 'Loar',
Ivan

[Bernie Daniel]

That song, done either by Ray Stevens or Del's band is fun all the way !. It has a lovely,'even paced' swing to it - terrific !. This last cople of weeks,i've watched a few high quality YouTube vids.of Del & the boys, & Ronnie's Gil is awesome. I can fully understand why he's sidelined his 'Loar', Ivan

Unusual for sure. Del sounds like Del not matter what he sings -- very distinctive voice. Misty might just be one song I can't really see as bluegrass one -- but everyone makes their own mind on that. Still one of the best bands ever --IMO!

That link to Ray Stevens was very cool -- clearly the band was influenced by it!

Oh and about Ronnie's mandolin -- now Ivan there is a whole thread going on proving no one can tell the difference between instruments if you can't see the the inlay first! (LOL!!).

[Ken Olmstead]

Misty might just be one song I can't really see as bluegrass one -- but everyone makes their own mind on that. Still one of the best bands ever --IMO!!!

By my definition its not bluegrass. However, my definition of bluegrass is pretty narrow. I view this as a "string band" treatment of an old standard. Much more enjoyable if you take bluegrass out of the equation here!

Agreed, one of my favorite musical groups no matter what genre they are classified in!

[Bernie Daniel]

By my definition its not bluegrass...[but]...Much more enjoyable if you take bluegrass out of the equation here! ...

Good way of looking at it! I suppose someone could have said the same thing about Vincent 1952 also!

[FLATROCK HILL]

Good way of looking at it! I suppose someone could have said the same thing about Vincent 1952 also!

Well, true Bluegrass or not, I think Del's version of Vincent 52 is a brilliant adaptation. It's perfect because it works.
As much as I love Del and the boys, I can live without Misty.

[Charley wild]

As much as I love Del and the boys, I can live without Misty.

I agree. The idea that it isn't Bluegrass bothers me not. I just don't think it works well.

[brent1308]

I get it, of course. But there's something kind of hilarious about the bluegrass police handing a ticket to Del!

[Ken Olmstead]

I get it, of course. But there's something kind of hilarious about the bluegrass police handing a ticket to Del!

[Bernie Daniel]

I get it, of course. But there's something kind of hilarious about the bluegrass police handing a ticket to Del!

Yes that would certainly be hilarious! Thinking more about it I think my issue with the video is not Del's fault -- I'd say that no matter who does it "Misty" is just not a song that appeals much to me for some reason. Just to be clear Vincent '52 is indeed one of my favorite tunes by the band.

[Ivan Kelsall]

When any Bluegrass band plays tunes such as for example,Del's 'Misty',they don't intend it to be taken as a serious Bluegrass song. As was mentioned above,it's a lovely song (IMHO) & they've given it 'their treatment',something i've seen & heard other bands do in concert,& most often,it's refreshing to listen to as a change from Bluegrass 'proper' all the way. I've heard bands playing old Rock'n Roll numbers from Buddy Holly to Chuck Berry & others, & it's great to listen to. I can't say that the song "Vincent Black Lightning '52' is a favourite of mine,the tune & words don't seem to 'flow' for me,but i accept it for what it is,
Ivan

[ralph johansson]

It's certainly bluegrass. It's also an atrocious treatment of the song. As I recall McCourye attempted something similar on I Remember You, with greater success.

[Jeff Budz]

I loved it, i think its cool to see bands push beyond standard repertoire. The appearance of the bluegrass police is predictable, but this kind of song don't bother me none.

[montana]

I love it and will learn to play it. It' shot more than three chords. Yea!

[ralph johansson]

Yes that would certainly be hilarious! Thinking more about it I think my issue with the video is not Del's fault -- I'd say that no matter who does it "Misty" is just not a song that appeals much to me for some reason. Just to be clear Vincent '52 is indeed one of my favorite tunes by the band.

I suggest you check out a few of the versions available on YouTube. Among vocal renditions the one by Sarah Vaughn (live in Sweden) is particularly noteworthy. There is also a sensitive version by Stan Getz and Bob Brookmeyer (in the key of Db ...).
And a live version by Erroll Garner's trio, that leaves the recorded version in the dust.