Del McCoury Band ~ High On A Mountain [Live 1986]

[DictionRedaction]

Terrific band in all respects and great tune.

[esauerkraut]

Not everyone is born with a talent....Del McCoury was. Here's the right guy, doing the right thing. In my book, it doesn't get any better than the Del McCoury Band.

[hrspwr]

Jeff Gordon plays a mean mandolin.

[JimmyPagesSoloLover]

Thinking to myself....John Duffy would'a done this song to the utmost of perfection. Oh Dear!

[GodStarRevisited69]

they were incredible this year atRockygrass, as always, he took requests , i wanted to hear city of stone but we got this one, yeah Del, 2011!! love him and his band, Json Carter is a sick player..

[rocmaven]

love the bluegrass. hot. going to see ricky skaggs in watseka illinois on aug 26

[chadddapimp]

WOW

[TruegrassBoy]

This is a fantastic version of this song and I don't know if anyone could get that traditional high-lonesome sound better than Del and his band. One thing you should listen for in addition, though - Jerry McCoury's bass playing. Man, he is rocking the band out of its shoes. Tremendous job all round. Gives me goose bumps just listening to this.

[tarjammer420]

chills down my spine!!!420

[procrastinator66]

I just had the privilege of seeing Del, and even shaking his hand, in March, 2011. he played this song, and I think it has even more energy now than it did in 86. If I had known way back then what I know now about bluegrass!

[yldann23]

To this day, he always, always wears a suit and tie to do a show. I wish they'd play more of him on country stations instead of the silly pop songs they play now.

[Master100Mind]

What was the first song? BTW: great performace!

[starboydc]

Oh yeah! This is IT! Young Ronnie an' Jerry on bass. I first saw Del in '71 at Shade Gap PA - came out on stage to join Jerry, who was playin' bass for Reno and Del & Jerry did a duet on True Life Blues - oh man, the livin' end!

[19wael96]

0:01 look at that guy go !!!!

[curbshoppin]

Del still sounding good.....he has the high lonesome sound..........

[alexbluegrass]

This is what we call TRUE BLUEGRASS WITH SOUL my friends!!! Can't be beat in my opinion. Del's the man!!!!!!!!

[hillbillyslone]

I love this tune and Del McCoury is one of the very best. Great sound and style man! Whew! Eeeeee!

[dupecoop]

Great clip. Just saw them play tonight in NYC. Del's still got it.

[jtizz711]

Is that bela fleck on the mandolin?

[alapoet]

@jtizz711 that's a young ronnie mccoury on mando

[triad203]

@jtizz711: bela plays banjo, not mando

[onewomanandsomesongs]

This dang video gives me goosebumps. Love it! 

[HerbaMusic]

who's the banjoplayer?

[inajcj]

I so appreciate being able to hear this. So nice.

[brodank]

Jerry McCoury on bass!!!!!!! 1:20 - 1:24

[skatekidd77]

This is some kick butt music. Thanks for posting this............

[chrisricker]

I think Rick Campbell could be Gabe Witcher's daddy, they hold the fiddle the same and have funky hair! :D

[62BOWTIE]

marty stuart sucks much! dales the man

[roscoemorganmusic]

Marty never saw a day when he could match the feats of Del McCoury. He did figure out how to make money, though.

[howtoplanaparty]

@roscoemorganmusic I think he is an agent of the vatican.

[fayeroe1009]

I'm only speaking of what I feel. Nothing more, nothing less.

[fayeroe1009]

Marty Stuart does it much better! Much~

[alapoet]

@fayeroe1009 I disagree.

[LCFlowercandy]

@alapoet - Me too.

[Samoht126]

@alapoet Yea, Marty Stuart is too sold out for me.

[rabbidCOON1]

@fayeroe1009 y r u smokin dope man dels the best

[TruegrassBoy]

@fayeroe1009 I disagree also

[MilesPittman]

@fayeroe1009 You must be talking hairstyles

[cactuscrust]

@fayeroe1009

If anybody did it better, it's Ola Belle Reed

[mammascallywag]

@fayeroe1009 idiot

[miw309]

Man...I always come back to this video when I'm feeling rough. It's the best medicine there is.  Thanks for posting.

[alapoet]

@miw309 I totally agree! There's nothing better.

[MultiBunnyhunter]

this is the bluegrass of today. if you can't replicated it, don't call yourself youwnder mountain, or underpants, just play instruments.

[NDiDom]

Yonder gets down just as hard as Del. Show some respect! Even Del acknowledges the YMSB boys as amazing.

[Bluegrassgopher]

That voice was an acquired taste for me, but once it finally sank in, I realized just how perfect it is for the genre (-:

[zerogravity724]

@Bluegrassgopher It's the epitome of a bluegrass voice. When I think of bluegrass, Del McCoury comes to mind.

[TruegrassBoy]

Originally Del was a banjo player - but Monroe already had one so Del was hired as lead singer and guiter player instead. A role he never went back on.

[sullyvsearth]

This is great, I hope people give it to the 30 sec when the song kicks in. Sooooo high on a mountain.

[lovinSpoonful]

Nobody can sing bluegrass better than this. I wonder if he learned from Ralph Stanley - sounds just like him. That's real authentic bluegrass singing.

[deckardthepale]

He learned to sing from Bill Monroe...... He sounds alot more like Dr. Monroe then Ralph.

[lovinSpoonful]

I'll have to go listen to some Bill Monroe - I just love the way he bends those notes.

[rjfpace]

Awesome

[DresAwakening]

great video

[miw309]

Just wanted to say thanks for posting this incredible video. It truly doesn't get any better.

[rachwms]

i like the way this bass player does this song! cool!

[asher1112]

when i hear del mccoury, i think about my roots and generations of my family from the hill of kentucky. I love music that can connect you to the past

[TruegrassBoy]

Yes, there are only 12 notes, but there is also rythm, timing, syncopation, chord choice, backbeat and a host of other things that make up a style music. "Feeling" is a good example - how do you define that. Anyhow, of all the music genres I think bluegrass has the most of it. I get downright emotional when I listen to a video like this. You rock, Del!

[tooleydeviljuice]

i agree about12 notes.its proof of the interconnectedness of everything!you can take A440,but then you have everything from how the wood molecules of the guitar vibrate through the temp, humidity, and materials of a room, to how the dust on a string sits in between the fingerprints of the individual whos mental/emotional state is dictating the force applied through the string back down to the wood of the guitar! as soon as you pluck a note, you are everything in the universe at that moment!

[lovinSpoonful]

Such a cool description of a totally delightful experience. Thanks for saying that. : )

[justinstan2susan]

By far my favorite blugrass band, i live in bristol,va. Its right on the border of VA and TN. there is a street downtown and it is called "state st." one side is va the other is tn. we have the annual "rythem and roots" festival on that street. .there are usually 4 stages plus all the bars are open till 4am. we have had alot of good ole american bands play, including Del, quicksilver, railroad earth, ras alan and way too many others to list. if you are close by,September 17-19, i think.

[453609]

I was brought up on this stuff. Music comes and goes, but to this old Louisville boy it seems like the old time bluegrass always endures.

[sprogo2]

Music to my ears, Thank You for posting and God Bless America

[hardmod777]

Thanks for posting!

[WarBeer]

Show me ONE artist/genre that doesn't "borrow" from something. There's only 12 notes...it's ALL about borrowing. For those who mention a musics (roots)....why stop there? How about the "roots" of those "roots"..and so on...until we hit "caveman Bob"....lol. This is 100% American music...whether you like it or not. Just like jazz:)

[453609]

Pure bliss. Pure American bliss. Pour youself a good Kentucky bourbon and enjoy. It don't get any better than this.

[Figgywithit]

They are still at the peak of their powers...

[78shovlehead]

gotta love that high lonesome sound

[littlejunior17]

I saw Del for the first time in 85 over here in Europe! Ronnie just started to go on tour with Del! Takes me back in time!

[slopbucket74]

Del's voice always gives me the chills.

[GeoffreyAndersen]

This reminds me of the good old days at Sunset Park listening to Ola Belle Reed and the boys. Great job!

[tangerine1490]

Ha, I don't care whose country has "better music"! This is smokin'! And wow, what were they playing before this tune, flying all over the frets that way? So good.

[ShueMandolinPicker]

Some of you may have not known but Del Started playin banjo with Bill Monroe!!

[nikorando]

really nice show

[vocalist1952]

Dont get carried away chaps Irish music especially from the Chieftains who Del collaborated with can certainly beat the Americans or should I say that the Americans took this Celtic style from the Emerald Isle, before mixing it with Applachian influences.

[JuneauActor]

You are certainly correct that Appalachian music derived from Celtic and English music, but it is hardly a fact that Celtic music "beats" American music.

Matter of opinion, I love them both, but I have a deep affinity for Appalachian music and generally get more enjoyment out of it than I do Celtic music.

One is not any more "real" than the other. They both speak to a regional experience.

[rmstudio]

I couldnt agree more. :) Its shaped the music of side of the ocean.. They were instilled with the Celtic music and made it their own while being some what to themselves in the mountains. Both styles are incredible and moving. It has fascinated me since I was a little boy.

[FunBoy15]

this obviously has celtic roots but it doesn't really sound much like it. its had hundreds of years to develop on its own and mix with other styles of music. for instance they never had the banjo back in ireland. it's a true american instrument developed by the african slaves. this is american music, not celtic

[clean3]

Finally to hammer home this scolding, I don't think you'd find Del McCoury speaking in terms of 'beating' anyone......McCoury; sounds a little celtic dosen't it?

[estelle715]

This music makes you glad to be an American!Nobody can beat us at music,they all want to copy us.But you have to be "country" to sing like this!Listen to this song,it says it all. Thank you so much for finding this tape and posting it!

[clean3]

This music originates from tunes brought to a pre United States by settlers from Europe, particularly the British Isles. Why has it got to be about 'beating' anybody? Oh and lots of people live in the country all over the world; whilst there's good reason to be proud of one's culture, music at it's best is a universal language that brings everyone together.

[banjite]

Give Estelle a break. She's just proud to be American. Since when did that deserve a scolding? I'm with you Estelle.

[clean3]

Given the tone of Estelle's posting, I thought my reply was fairly restrained and even handed; I also pointed out that it was fine to be proud of your culture, I am too, but who's copying who? That's fairly meaningless when it comes to traditional music.....everything is as a result of what came before.

[estelle715]

of course,I know that the Appalachian area was settled by ppl. from the Isles.,and that is where the 1st country music came from.The area was the most economically depressed area in the U.S. They were proud ppl but poor.They had traditions from their ancestors,but it is still American country! What's stopping all the "other countries" you mention from having their ownNashville,own Hall of Fame,etc.They don't really b/c the genuine article is Here!The 1st country music family are from the U.S.!

[vocalist1952]

Estelle waken up and smell the coffee. Country music originated in Ireland and was ferried across the great Atlantic Ocean to settle in the great Americas. Listen to Logue&McCool on Youtube and hear two Irish lads singing country music a darned sight better than most Americans.

[estelle715]

I still say that isn't the only influence. You cannot discount the melting pot that only the USA had to offer. Gospel,jazz,and blues also contributed to it.Besides where is Ireland's Grand Ole Opry? And bluegrass is American. I agree it might have started there but it took the USA to make it famous! It's not just music from Ireland but rather a collective from others as well! Besides,I[ve never like coffee! LOL!

[FunBoy15]

maybe it's better to you, nobody is stopping you from holding that view... but this is american music in feel, themes and style. you seem to totally discount all the other european and african influences that blended together to create country and roots music. anyway, this discussion is irrelevent cos the people here just wanna listen to this outstanding music, which is completely unique.

[buffalobilly]

epic video, you can feel there's something goin' on

[ChomFa]

This is fantastic....thanks so much for posting it. We don't get a lot of bluegrass here in Oz, so I've never heard much of Del....this is special!

[VTActor007]

I just saw them live at the Flynn, one word, AWESOME!!!!!

[pandeirobrass816]

Thanks so much for posting this! These guys are incredible to see live.

[tjbigdog64]

Smooth! Ola Belle Reed is also a longtime resident of Rising Sun Maryland.

Her family could be seen & heard on any given Saturday / Sunday singing playing @ New River Ranch, Sunset Park and Gloryland. What a treasure these folks have been. ;)

[54spiritedwill54]

Awesome Video

[boobletuble]

Del, glad I caught up with ya!

[jonneeTV]

It's easy to spend all night here.

[Mar10Guitar]

Del is the man, the best high lonesome voice in bluegrass.

[tangerine1490]

Wow, this is really really great. I love love love that voice. It's soothing and fiery at the same time somehow. This might sound strange, but it reminds me of some Pakistani/Northern Indian singing, bellowing out over the mountains and whatnot, hehe. The musicians are untouchable!

[alapoet]

Hi Jennifer Ann! I recorded this and the other Del videos digitally by hooking my Mac up to the cable box via a Plextor converter, which was under a hundred bucks.

I understand similar equipment is available for Windows machines.

[highonbluegrass]

LOVE IT! This is an excellent idea...I couldn't even count the VHS tapes we have of various bluegrass acts...I better get rollin'

Just curious, is there a way to record them digitally or do you have to just tape the TV screen?

Pick on!

Jennifer Ann

*mulefactory*

[jezx21]

He's got quite the vocal range. I think his voice is awesome. I got this tune on an old bluegrass greatest hits CD.

[austinitesince1979]

I really REALLY love this song and my current YouTube version is really pathetic, but I can sing it way better and louder and clearer now ever since I stopped trying to imitate Del's voice and do it in my own voice. I'll record a new version sometime when I get ahold of a camera again. Olla Bell Reed wrote it, is that right? I found the song on an album called 'High on a Mountain' by Del McCoury and the Dixie Pals, 1972, and the vocals and picking on that recording are absolutely untouchable.

[flailingerman]

Ys, written by Olla Belle Reed from West Jefferson, NC. She also wrote "I've endured" that Tim O'Brien covers.

[lcooke]

This is a great version of the song! Thanks!

[rosecity44]

Nobody does it better!

[chburt]

Unbelievable Post!! Way to keep the VHS!!

[thpeter]

Hey cool! What a great find! I agree Ronnie McCoury smoking on the mando!

[fettec]

Ronnie McCoury is excellent on that mando! Love the hair and stash!

[BanjoBoyMatteo]

Y'all hear that Jerry McCoury on bass!!

[ilovefreedom80]

Thanks for posting this :)

[festivalpreview]

Wow! Great performance! If you're interested, we have a new video interviewing Del McCoury about his new festival.

[8StringPlucker]

Awesome Video, I have seen you guys at a festival in California and am a big fan of yours. Glad to see that you have kept the family together through the years. God Bless!