Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out Album Release: at The Station Inn (Nashville, TN) Thu. January 10, 2013

Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out Album Release

Bluegrass

Nashville Scene Critic's Pick …

Timeless Hits From the Past Bluegrassed is the latest album from Russell Moore & III^rd Tyme Out, and their first released through Cracker Barrel. While there might be a couple of curious choices on a setlist aimed at Cracker Barrel’s country-leaning customers, there’s nothing curious about the inclusion of the group’s own “John & Mary” — remade here with Pam Tillis freestyling leads and harmonies alongside Moore — nor their stunning arrangement of doo-wop fave “Only You.” Bluegrass heroes in the ’90s who went through a fallow stretch before springing back to the top — Moore’s won the IBMA’s Male Vocalist title for the past three years — the quintet remains timeless, polished in all the places they need to be (harmonies, arrangements, instrumental virtuosity), and comfortably homespun in all the rest. And while Moore deserves to have his name out front, the rest of the group keeps right up with him.

—JON WEISBERGER