Never Say Never Again (Rural Rhythm, 2007)

Rooted in traditional bluegrass ("Little Bessie"), but with nods to a modern sound (the title cut), Dwight McCall's second solo CD is solid bluegrass. This isn't surprising considering his several years' experience with one of the bluegrass masters, J. D. Crowe.

The instrumental work is superb, including musicians like Ron Stewart, Randy Kohrs, Alan Bibey and McCall. The vocals are a shade off the norm for bluegrass with McCall overdubbing most of the harmony vocals, but he does have help on some cuts with masters like Lou Reid and Rickey Wasson joining him.

McCall reaches for heartstrings on tunes like "Goodbye My Friend" and includes driving gospel ("He Never Turned Away"). There is a lot of good music here, and traditionalists should find this a very satisfying CD. If there's a surprise it's the lack of an instrumental number, but that doesn't detract from the overall effect. McCall is well on his way to establishing his own place in bluegrass in addition to being a valued sideman with Crowe.