In the Blue Room, released on Sugar Hill in 2000, is a solo project from Alan Bibey, the mandolinist best known at the time for his work with IIIrd Tyme Out. Bibey's playing had always been marked by a clean, singing tone and a disciplined sense of melody that served the ensemble rather than the spotlight, and the album gives him room to show what that control sounds like out front. He drew on a deep bench of guests — Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, Terry Baucom, Kenny Smith, Sammy Shelor, and Del McCoury among them — for a record that balances original songwriting against instrumental showcases, sitting in the middle ground between a picker's album and a band record. Throughout, Bibey's craftsmanship and his grounding in the traditional bluegrass of the Carolinas are plain. It is the work of a musician confident enough to lead without needing to dominate.
Tracklist
- 1 In The Blue Room 2:11
- 2 Save Your Heart Source Recording 2:42
- 3 Evening Prayer Blues alt version 2:03
- 4 I'll Be Alright Tomorrow 2:05
- 5 Wild Fiddler's Rag 1:29
- 6 Lee's Reel 3:10
- 7 County Fool Source Recording 2:25
- 8 Stumptowne 2:45
- 9 Close By Source Recording 2:32
- 10 Amanda Lena 2:46
- 11 Busy Fingers 2:17
- 12 What I Am 4:04
- 13 Sure-Fire 2:20
