Dixie Bee-Liners – Self-Titled

Considering what a musical melting pot New York City is, its not remarkable that a promising bluegrass band like the Dixie Bee-Liners would assemble there. New York was actually where Kentucky native Brandi Hart first began performing the music of her home state. She splits the sextets songwriting and vocals with Buddy Woodward, a leader of the country-rock collective Nitro Express. Hart is the stronger of the two vocalists, with a reedy, girlish lilt, but Woodwards tenor, if a tad stilted, is plenty adequate for these sharply written, well-executed songs. The Bee-Liners moniker is a nod to a Kentucky highway, and the bands all-too-brief debut (eight songs total) expands upon the traveling theme with the saucy, trucking-meets-romance album opener Davy (Youd better brake it just to get around my curves alive). Slinky upright bass, sporadic handclaps and sweetly delivered blues melodies make Lord, Lay Down My Ball And Chain the most memorable track.