By Captain Barry R. Willis

As I listen toEddie Adcock play the banjo I am intrigued by the endless variety of licks, his endless attention to the tone and separation of notes which comes from his instrument and the disbelief that he hasn't won awards for Banjo Player of the Year repeatedly. I don't want to take away from the tremendous skill and drive exhibited by recent winners but I think Eddie's playing should be recognised more often. His personal performances leave me astounded by the intricacies of his playing and the variety of the different styles in his musical vocabulary. Quite simply, he's one of the 20th century's best musicians. I could go on but I'd like to suggest that you, the listener, make your own analysis of Eddie's presentations to us. Listening to Eddie Adcock play the banjo and guitar is the main reason I like his projects. But there's more to the sum of his music: There's the unfailing rhythm guitar of his wife Martha and her award-winning vocals. She adds an element of maturity to lyrics when she tackles a song. She doesn't belt out a song but she finesses it to fit their music. And, as you've already suspected, there's a lot to their music.

This duo is loaded with talent and, in addition to having their own style of music, project their music to us inan endless variety of ways. It's always interesting to see what they're going to do next. These two projects give us ample opportunity to sample their wares. "Renaissance Man" is mostly instrumental and features Eddie on the banjo. That's why I like it so much.

"Spirited" is a collection of non-secular-inspired tunes which don't fit gospel or religious music exactly, but fits their holistic outlook on life: professing a belief in God and Jesus but with a humanistic touch. At least that's the impression I got from "Spirited." The song "Don't Do It and It Won't Be on Your Mind" is a moral lesson which sort of led me to the thought Eddie and Martha are not religious by nature yet still follow the teachings of "the good book."

In a conversation with Eddie, he confirmed this thought. He told me, "We're religious, but in our own way. We can't rely on a religious preacher to teach us the truth-the universal truth. In our own way we need to find it for ourselves." The song "Open Book" ismuch the same, professing good moral character without being religiously preachy. Their approach to what the Bible teaches is actually quite refreshing while being unique at the same time-this is sometimes difficult to do. Tastefully done here. Eddie's "Narrow Road" guitar/banjo instrumental is haunting. It's a "don't miss." Both compact discs are on Pinecastle Records. They feature artists such as Jim and Jesse McReynolds, Alan O'Bryant, Ricky Skaggs, Mac Wiseman, Missy Raines and Buck White.

These CDs can be ordered from Pinecastle at P.O. Box 456, Orlando Florida 32802 or write to at pinecast@inspace.net or http://pinecastle.com.

Happy listening! I hope you enjoy these recordings as much as I do.

Barry R. Willis Write to
Tel: 808-325-0321
73-1400 Hamiha St.,
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
author/publisher of America's Music: Bluegrass www.pinevalleymusic.com

1st Dec 2000