A Breathtaking New Team

Dailey and Vincent (Rounder Records)

Dailey and Vincent

By Bob Mitchell

Dailey and Vincent introduce a powerful new ensemble steeped in bluegrass and country music traditions. The project is loaded with hardcore drive, phenomenal talent and charisma. Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent have already had a profound impact on the industry via their work with Doyle Lawson, Ricky Skaggs and Rhonda Vincent. Stepping out on their own for the first time, Dailey and Vincent make breathtaking music.

Robert K. Oermann's liner notes say, "Even before one note of their stunning record had been heard, the pair earned a standing ovation at the 2007 International Bluegrass Music Association convention and were booked for more than 100 shows. Now that the album is here, the advance accolades are completely understandable. This is music that can stand side by side with any of the most revered bluegrass discs ever made." I could not agree more.

Vincent's initial instincts were confirmed the instant he and Dailey sang together. "When I first heard our voices blend, I said, 'There's something special about that .. Then I looked around and Sonny stopped playing in The Osborne Brothers. Jim [McReynolds] from Jim & Jesse passed away. All of a sudden, there weren't any duos in bluegrass anymore. I thought, 'This is going to be a lost thing if we don't form a duo.' It just made sense." Indeed it does!

This release will be one of the best releases of 2008 (if not the best). Some of the many highlights include exhilarating arrangements of "Sweet Carrie" and "Poor Boy Working Blues" as well as three exceptional gospel numbers "My Savior Walks With Me Today," Place on Calvary," and "I Believe."

On a five-point scale of excellence this release merits a sizzling six.

For more information go to www.rounder.com.