A Crack In My Armour (Junction, 2001)

Prior to the release of this solo album, Randy Kohrs was best known as one of the best Dobro players around, a vital part of major contemporary bluegrass bands like Continental Divide and most recently a sideman in John Cowan's band. Stepping out on his own, this gives Kohrs an opportunity to show off his skills as a vocalist, songwriter and guitarist as well.

Three of the 10 tracks ("I Would If I Could," "It Can't Rain Forever" and "Every Now And Then") were co-written by Kohrs, and he dips into the catalogs of writers like Jim Lauderdale ("Anyway") and Judy Rodman (title track) for much of the remainder. With help from friends and former bandmates like Scott Vestal, Rickie Simpkins and Stuart Duncan, it's no surprise that this is an instrumentally scintillating disc, but Kohrs also turns out to be a more than respectable vocalist, reminiscent in some ways to Vince Gill. Not to say that he's quite in that league, but there's plenty here to enjoy. (240 Old Hickory Blvd., East Madison, TN 37115, 615-860-8687)