From the first note of track one to the last of song 11 this CD is a burner: Excellent playing throughout, high quality recording, very balanced band and beautiful compositions. There is a nice mix of instrumentals (6) and songs (5)which feature Adam on lead vocals. His mandolin playing is tasteful and melodic but shows a modern touch (I'm not too fond of old time playing) and his voice has a beautiful warmth which complements the melodies. The musicians in the band all add to this perfect sound with high level playing and nice harmony vocals. It is a very rounded CD of contemporary bluegrass music. favourite tune: Pitchn' wedge

If you’ve enjoyed listening to Alison Krauss & Union Station over the years you’ve no doubt enjoyed the wonderful mandolin playing of Adam Steffey. On his new recording Grateful, Adam steps out as both a singer and writer. The recording opens up with Adam’s clean, crisp lines on the self-penned Pitchin’ Wedge, where Tim Stafford, Barry Bales, Randy Kohrs and Ron Stewart join him. From there you hear Adam’s soulful, deep baritone voice on tunes like Leaves That Are Green and Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down. Adam has a sweet spot for bluegrass gospel tunes too with 3 gems that would warm up any Sunday morning gospel show. But for me, the real standout is Adam’s authoritative mandolin picking. The best example of this is a high-speed romp through the classic Daybreak In Dixie. Here he displays the three T’s of musicianship-taste, tone and technique and all at 168 beats per minute! Although Adam Steffey is no longer playing with Union Station, you can also catch him with Mountain Heart and a variety of session recordings such as Knee Deep In Bluegrass. So if you’re fan of great, modern mandolin picking I urge you to check out Grateful, you’ll be grateful you did! (by Pete Goodall, Bluegrass Programmer, KBCS Radio, 91.3FM Bellevue, WA)