Me / And / Dad

Billy Strings

Released on 2022-11-18 by Rounder
Main artists: Billy Strings
Genre: Country

Available in

24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo

Unlimited Streaming

Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps

Start my trial period and start listening to this album

Enjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription

Digital Download

Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.

Me/And/Dad is an instant classic; you can simply feel that it's an important record that will be essential in Billy Strings' discography. The bluegrass protegé—né William Lee Apostol—teams up with his stepdad, accomplished guitarist Terry Barber, for a celebration of the songs they've played almost their whole life together, and a love letter to their father-son relationship. "Terry raised me and taught me how to wipe my ass, tie my shoes, and play guitar. That’s my fucking dad," Billy has said. (Barber raised the acoustic guitarist from the time Billy was three, after the boy’s birth father died of a heroin overdose.) Their harmonies are chillingly perfect on tracks like "John Deere Tractor" (made famous by another familial duo, the Judds) and a spirited cover of Doc Watson's "Way Downtown"—boosted by lightning fast-picking, a piercing fiddle solo by Michael Cleveland and yet another show of family ties: mandolinist Ronnie McCoury and banjo player Rob McCoury, the sons of towering bluegrass guitarist Del McCoury. Speaking of guitars, Barber plays his old Martin acoustic on the album; he had pawned it years ago for money to support his family, then Billy eventually tracked it down and brought it home. ("I've never been so dumbstruck in my life," Barber has said.) Strings' voice is as bracing as the water from a cold, clear stream on songs like "Dig a Little Deeper (In the Well)," while "Little White Church" showcases Barber's rough-hewn beauty. "Wandering Boy" is a heartwrencher in his hands, given the knowledge that Billy, like his parents, once struggled with alcohol and drug abuse: "Where is my wandering boy tonight/ The boy of my tenderest care/ The boy that was once my joy and light/ The child of my love and prayer." There are jailhouse laments (George Jones' "Life to Go"; "Stone Walls and Steel Bars," made famous by the Stanley Brothers), instrumentals (Celtic traditional "Frosty Morn" and a crisp, clean cover of Doc Watson's "Peartree") and, across-the-board, honey-rich dobro from Union Station legend Jerry Douglas. Opening traditional "Long Journey Home" has a tone as bright and shiny as a new penny, and closer "I Heard My Mother Weeping" expands the circle to include vocals from Billy's mom and Barber's wife, Debora, the one who really deserves credit for bringing together this unified pair. © Shelly Ridenour/Qobuz

More info

Me / And / Dad

Billy Strings

You are currently listening to samples.

Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.

Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.

From kr133,33/month

Long Journey Home