Though it may have been a long time coming, The Promised Land is surely worth the wait, and for more than one reason. In contrast to the string of groundbreaking albums that preceded it, the new set finds the Del McCoury Band dialing back its usual musical breadth and exploration of edgy material in favor of a deeper drink from the well of bluegrass tradition. From the joyous drive of the banjo that kicks off the celebratory opener, “Canaan’s Happy Land,� to the impeccable Scruggs style fingerpicked guitar of the closing “The Lord Is Writing Down Names,� the music here quietly asserts that no matter how far the group has roamed in the pursuit of creativity, its mastery of bedrock bluegrass is as good as—make that better than—ever