IIIrd Tyme Out (Rural Rhythm, 2009)

One of the best bands in bluegrass, IIIrd Tyme Out, delivers again. With material from a variety of writers, including three songs by Russell Moore and an instrumental by band-mate and ace mandolist Wayne Benson, they offer a variety of songs. Edgar Loudermilk now plays bass while Justin Haynes continues on fiddle and long-time member Steve Dilling is on banjo.

Russell has one of the best lead voices in the business and drives a song hard. Hard Rock Mountain Prison is a prime example of his style. But he handles ballads just as easily, as evidenced by the timely Prayer For Peace. My Angeline has the lilt of a reel while Knee Deep In The Blues is a half-century old song recorded by such diverse artists as Marty Robbins and Fatboy.

And what's a good bluegrass album without a gospel song? The band offers a beautiful rendition of The Eastern Gate to close the album. This CD has everything you expect from a top bluegrass band and proves IIIrd Tyme Out hasn't lost a step through the years. It just doesn't get better.