IIIrd Tyme Out - John & Mary (1999/2019)

One of the first albums to feature a number of Third Tyme Out originals, John & Mary marks the band's baby steps away from tradition. The well-crafted vocal harmonies are still there (sometimes singing doo wop), as well as tight bluegrass-style instrumentation. A number of gospel classics also make appearances. The addition of Blue Highway's Rob Ickes excellent Dobro playing adds texture to about half of the songs. A few songs stand out as favorites: their cover of the Loretta Lynn song "I Pray My Way Out of Trouble" sounds spare and hopeful, and "Milk Cow Blues" provides one more turn for a song that has had a long history of interpretation. Among the original songs on the album, "Bobby and Millie" stands out (even with its somewhat precious lyrics) as a beautiful example of what this band will be capable of in the future.