Back To The MAC (Rounder, 2001)

"More!" will be the first thing you say when you listen to IIIrd Tyme Out's return to the Mountain Arts Center CD for another live outing. Great musicians are almost a given on bluegrass recordings, and this band has some of the best. They are also blessed with one of the best lead singers in bluegrass, Russell Moore.

This CD features older songs, some standards, some lesser known. They plumb the depths of emotion with an Osborne Brothers' tune, "Medals For Mother" and set your blood pumping with a hot fiddle on "Lost John." Their sound is excellent, especially for an album recorded live. The song selection is very good, reflecting a wide range of emotion and versatility. Listen to Ray Deaton's (vocal) bass line on "Drifting Too Far From the Shore" and you'll gain a new appreciation for this old standard. They include a couple of pure country songs, "Dim Lights, Thick Smoke" and "A Little Unfair," as well as the George Jones' tune that was a Bill Monroe favorite, "Old, Old House" and make them great bluegrass.

Bluegrass just doesn't get better than this.