Search - Dillard Haynes Band :: There Goes the Neighborhood

Bluegrass for the whole family

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 06/15/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Perhaps it's no surprise that Rodney Dillard and Bruce Haynes would come up with an album full of bluegrass and country music that would sound at home on the Andy Griffith Show. Dillard, of course, appeared on the Griffith show as a member of the fictional Darlings (and a member of the real-life Dillards). In addition to his current musical duties, he hosts a syndicated radio program called "A Tribute to Mayberry Values." Haynes is best known for his Christian Contemporary work. The combination couldn't help but produce some fun, family-friendly lyrics sung in tight harmony and backed by solid picking.Dillard's bluegrass roots (dating back to his mid-50s radio work with his brother, Doug) are at the heart of the Dillard Haynes band. Though not as driven as the early work of the Dillards, the presentation follows the purer acoustic road they trod early on. The presentation plays up traditional guitars, mandolin, fiddle, banjo and plenty of vocal harmony.Dillard's and Haynes' new songs are very Mayberryesque, providing plenty of front-porch philosophizing, like the light social commentary (and reverse snobbery) of "There Goes the Neighborhood," and general life contentment of "Wicker Rockin' Chair." Haynes tunes are often winkingly funny, but take a serious turn in consideration of a trucker's life on "I'll Be Coming Home."Covers include a sing-a-long worthy rendition of "I Shall Not Be Moved," a hot-picked version of the Beatles "We Can Work it Out" (a song that doesn't particularly lend itself to a bluegrass rendition), and a wonderfully melodic take of "A Satisfied Mind." The latter winningly swaps a country fiddle and close harmony singing for the gospel approach taken by Bob Dylan on his "Saved" album.The Dillard Haynes Band provides an amicable meeting ground (not unlike a favorite fishing hole) for a bluegrass titan, and a respected and talented songwriter. The result is a winning blend of their talents.3-1/2 stars, if Amazon allowed fractional ratings."

A Hoot & A Holler

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 10/13/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

""There Goes the Neighborhood" is a great teaming of Rodney Dillard and Bruce Haynes. Together they produce a CD of flawless bluegrass and country. Tim Crouch's fiddle & mandolin shine on the title track with great harmonies, "When they mowed all the yards, they found our old cars." "Wicker Rockin' Chair" makes you feel like you're down home, sittin' on the front porch. "Talkin' Out of His Heart" is on the sentimental side about a guy who loses his loved one to disease. "Dooley" sounds fresh, a complement to the Dillards' original version. The traditional "I Shall Not Be Moved" feels like country church on Sunday morning. The standard "A Satisfied Mind" is given a good country reading with a cast of thousands on backup vocals. Haynes' "I've Had All the Good Times I Can Stand" is an ironic country toe tapper, "I remember feeling dizzy from a little too much wine, and I relieved myself on the 50 yard line." The pace slows for the gorgeous ballad "I'll Be Coming Home to You." The Dillards recorded John Lennon & Paul McCartney's "We Can Work It Out" on their 1979 LP "Decade Waltz." This version shines and works well in the bluegrass setting, a must for those of us who love both the Beatles & bluegrass! The CD concludes with the zippy instrumental "Finger Pickin' Good" which sounds like the title. With a couple standards that have already been recorded by the Dillards, the musical choices may not be quite so adventurous. With only 10 tracks & less than 32 minutes of music, the CD is too brief. However, those flaws don't outweigh the stellar musicianship and the great fun Dillard & Haynes generate. Don't miss it!"

A Homer & Jethro for the new millennium

Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 02/04/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Some peppy bluegrass from Rodney Dillard and Bruce Haynes... A few duds (mostly the slower, more serious numbers) but mostly a fine album for some old duffers to make. The title track (a good-natured, anti-yuppie singalong) is the real gem on here, followed by Haynes' "I've Had All The Good Times I Can Stand" and the zippy instrumental "Finger Pickin' Good." Drifts a little, but the title tune's a classic. I guess Haynes is more from the contemporary Christian/Southern Gospel side of the tracks, which might explain the slow pacing and profundity of a couple of the tracks on here... There are only two religious songs on here, though, and one of those is a nice, mid-tempo instrumental version of "Just A Closer Walk With Thee.""