Dixie
Bee-LinersRipe
Pinecastle Records
BY DEBORAH DOUGLAS WILBRINK
Dixie
Bee-Liners
Ripe
Pinecastle Records
BY DEBORAH DOUGLAS WILBRINK
Rich instrumental layers soak Ripe, flavoring the
Bee-Liners’ unique bluegrass sound like the rum of an aged musical fruitcake.
Brandi Hart’s bell-like voice sings stories of love and tales of personalities,
written by her and Buddy Woodward. Jeremy Darrow, Jonathon Maness, Rachel Renee
Johnson and Sam Morrow complete the Virginia-based band. Twelve songs start
strongly with traditional sounds on a new classic, radio chart-topper, Down
On The Crooked Road. Lord, Lay Down My Ball and Chain surprises with its
jazz and blues influences. Planned jam Bugs in the Basement is tight!
Thoughtful ballads like Dixie Grey to Black and the floating poem,
Lost in the Silence, culminate in the masterful title song, Ripe. Ripe
should tempt new tasters to bluegrass as well as those who cheer on its
development and love a show of skill. BMP