The David Mayfield Parade - Go Big and Go Home (2025)

NOTE! tracks: 2,5,8,10 are to 24bit/44.1kHz.

This is an upbeat collection of blue grass with the accent on vocals & exceptional banjo, guitar & mandolin picking throughout the 10 showcased tunes that are simply musical trips that Go Big and Go Home. The set was produced by Tim O’Brien (fiddle/bouzouki/baritone vocal) & recorded in Willis, VA.

The opening tune, “Time’s Winding Up,” is an energetic song decorated in a well-designed display of vocalizing. The tonality is not muscular, but they do have character. “Face Your Life” is played with a variety of sounds, including fiddle that’s appealing in its exchange. There’s a friendlier sound in this type of performance than mere country typicality. It’s appealing while not being commercially oriented. Some songs also have gospel seasoning.

Introducing a more acoustic guitar laden “Daytime Moon,” the song is quite danceable & the vocals, while more on the high end of the range, maintain a generous drive as opposed to a vintage experienced vocal tone. These are young people with enthusiasm & lots of high-octane instrumental velocity. None of these were phoned in.

Sound-wise, the ensemble has a country-tint that was evident in the Epic recording band West (“Six Days on the Road,” “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues”) crossed with Mason Profitt. But it’s the bluegrass richness that digs deepest into a listener’s ears. “At Your Throne” is impressive.

Overall, the sound is faithful to vintage traditions more than modern-day mainstream significance. What this music does is not compromise its spirit. None of the songs are lackluster – they have focus, melody & invoke happiness.