Search - Adie Grey :: Grandpa's Advice

One of Life's Little Mysteries...

Random McNasty | 01/09/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"...is why this album, and Adie Grey, has never achieved any significant commercial success. In fact, three years ago this album was practically unavailable except from Hey Baby! Music directly. Webster's Unabridged should consider "Adie Grey" as its definition for "under-appreciated." And that's a crying shame, because this is an excellent album. Adie is not only an outstanding musician, but a clever songwriter and lyricist. It would be easy to just kick back and enjoy the dulcimer, mandolin and guitar lines that predominate in these pieces except that Adie's sense of humor, in particular on "It Ain't the Money" and "Grandpa's Advice," keeps hooking you in. And her wit shines not only in the lyrics but in the wry smile you can hear in her eminently pleasing voice. When someone is having this much fun making music, you just have to enjoy yourself listening to it. While the overall tone of the album is old-fashioned Nashville, it deftly avoids any pat categorization. Adie blends an engaging Irish folk influence with her soft country for "The Grape and the Grain," gives us a little wistfulness on the Grand 'Ole Opry styled "The Easiest Thing," and even flirts with a chanteuse/country style on "I'm With You in My Dreams" for a surprisingly charming effect. Surprising except for the fact that here is an artist who puts craftsmanship before commercialism and pride before profit margin. Only a couple of missteps (the obviously personal but unfortunately maudlin "Tell All the People You Love" and the unexciting "Now That He's Not In Love") keep this album from a five-star rating. But do yourself a favor: if you like country, country-folk, or just old-fashioned entertaining music, pick up a copy of this album. It's a true gem far too long overlooked."