Shape Of A Tear (Rounder, 2003)

One of the best bluegrass bands going, the Lynn Morris Band gets better with every album. Led by a former IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year, the LMB features husband Marshall Wilborn on bass, Jesse Brock on mandolin and Ron Stewart, one of today's greatest pickers, on banjo, fiddle and guitar.

The song selection is great and helps Morris show why she's considered such a great singer. Favorites include, "Gonna Have Love," featuring Junior Brown on vocals and pedal steel, "I Wish It Would Rain," "Don't Neglect The Rose" and the touching, "Shape of A Tear." Wilborn sings lead on "I'll Take Them With Me," and Hank William's "Move It On Over." Stewart offers the driving instrumental "Road Rage," and his amazing banjo playing guides the group through "Shoulder To Shoulder." "I Know What Your Talking About," is a pleasing Louvin Brothers gospel number that longtime fans may recognize from a previous Morris recording. Rounding out the record is a PSA for pet neutering, "Spay Your Pet." This bonus track works well as a bluegrass tune and reflects a cause the LMB is working to champion.

It's easy to take performers like Morris for granted, as she's been doing it so well for many years. But as this album shows, she and the LMB still have the energy and the passion to produce terrific bluegrass music.