TwoGrass (Pinecastle, 2003)

Eddie and Martha Adcock's latest is just like their live performances: quirky. Eddie's place in bluegrass history is assured by his early years with the Country Gentlemen, and he is as skilled with a guitar as he is the banjo, but you can't fit their music into a niche.

They sing as a duo (much like the Bellamy Brothers) on all of many of their songs, and without any cutting edge of vocals associated with much of bluegrass. Their sound leans more towards folk as do some of their lyrics. The first two cuts are self-penned and, while entertaining, don't fit the bluegrass mold at all. Even on an old standard like "Nobody's Darling But Mine" they've taken a more mellow approach than most artists. They include what's becoming a standard for them, "Gold Watch and Chain," but the only two cuts that sound much like bluegrass - aside from Eddie's banjo - are "I Am A Pilgrim" and "Uncle Joe."

They've given us an entertaining CD with top quality instrumental work, but certainly much different for those who still associate Eddie with the Country Gentlemen and who like their bluegrass with a bit of raw edge.