Search - Darin Aldridge :: Call It a Day

A Bluegrass Home Run!

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 08/31/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 49:02 -- Pinecastle Records is to be commended for their willingness to support young bluegrass artists, and the label has helped to launch quite a few careers for up-and-comers in the music's next generation. At the same time, they are also introducing younger audiences to the excitement of contemporary bluegrass music and perpetuating the genre's future success. Mandolinist and singer Darin Aldridge is a full-time musician and teacher who is a member of Charlie Waller's Country Gentlemen. Aldridge's solo project, "Call it a Day," is the next major accomplishment in a long list of successes for the native of Cherryville, NC. who was born in 1977.



Aldridge's attraction to musical instruments dates back to his early grade school days when he played drums, piano, and guitar. He learned to clog dance, and by high school Darin was also playing saxophone and winning awards for his musical abilities. In 1994, the banjo and mandolin were added to his instrument arsenal. Some of his previous band work has been with Carolina Crossfire, Dr. Bobby Jones' Band, and Acoustic Syndicate. "Stain Glass Tears" and "Will You Be Ready" are cuts on this album that were co-written with Bobby Jones. In 1998, Darin started doing six shows a day with others at Tweetsie Railroad Theme Park until the call came from The Country Gentlemen on New Years Day in 1999. Three times nominated for SPBGMA Mandolin Player of the Year (2000, 2001 and 2002), Darin Aldridge is clearly a talent to watch as he rises to stardom. His first solo album, "In Time," was released in 2000 to much critical acclaim.



Appearing with Darin on this latest solo album are Tim Stafford, Jaret Carter, Billy Gee, Greg Luck, Shawn Lane, Jason Burleson, Greg Corbett, Amanda Smith, Lou Reid and Chris Bryant. Together, they pack a supreme wallop. With the support of Pinecastle's national distribution, the skilled musician will be moving quickly to greater career heights.



A couple of his major influences include Vince Gill (who also wrote this album's opening track, "Pretty Words") and Skip Ewing (whose song, "Coast of Colorado" appears at track 3). Other covers are drawn from Bruce Carroll, Kenneth Rogers and Clara Lambeck, Michael Burgess, Tim O'Brien and Vernon Doyle Wood. A masterful songwriter in his own right, six of the songs on "Call it a Day" were written by Darin's own pen. A couple favorites are those he worked up in collaboration with Bill Stroupe called "How Could You Go" and "Where I Am Bound" and the title cut, "Call it a Day."



With his own 5-piece band, Aldridge plans to book concerts and radio shows to promote "Call it a Day." The last I heard, The Darin Aldridge Band includes Jaret Carter, Jeff Fincham, Billy Gee and John McMillion. With youthful exuberance and energy, Darin has just hit a home run with this album. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

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