Call It a Day

There's always been a certain connection between neo-traditionalist country and contemporary bluegrass. Both draw from earlier styles, but nonetheless make concessions to present-day tastes. Darin Aldridge is a case in point on Call It a Day. He surrounds himself with a crack bluegrass band, but often uses his tenor for smooth leads that have little to do with Bill Monroe. This approach brings the right touch to songs like the title track and "How Could You Go," showing that Aldridge is fully capable of filling a sad song with heartache. He shows his kinship to his country counterparts by covering Vince Gill's "Pretty Words" and Skip Ewing's "Coast of Colorado," and also delivers a good version of Tim O'Brien's "Late in the Day." Aldridge, however, doesn't mind digging deeper into tradition either, nor does he mind adding a bit of that high lonesome sound. He includes religious material like "Stain Glass Tears," "Crying Holy," and "Will You Be Ready," and interestingly, it's on the latter songs that Aldridge gets closest to his bluegrass roots. Call It a Day also displays Aldridge's talent as a songwriter, from the instrumental "Abigail's Reel" to the jaunty title track. Call It a Day should please listeners whether they enjoy Top 20 bluegrass or long for the good old days. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford Jr., Rovi