Old Road New Again
Pinecastle, 2020
8/10
The folk-rock legends The Dillards return with their first new music since 1991, and they make it worth the wait where Rodney Dillard, George Giddens, Beverly Cotten-Dillard, Tony Wray, and Gary Smith are accompanied by some heavy hitting guests across their country and bluegrass ways.
“Earthman” starts the listen with warm strings as soothing vocal harmonies enter the cautious landscape, and “Save The Last Dance For Me” follows with a playful and upbeat approach as Sharon and Cheryl White contribute stunning harmony vocals.
Near the middle, “Funky Ole Hen” benefits much from Tim Crouch’s fiddle as a more forceful bluegrass emerges with much melody, while the indeed sweet “Sweet Companion” features Sam Bush on mandolin as the Dillard’s harmonize with seeming ease. “Tearing Our Liberty Down”, an album standout, then brings Ricky Skaggs into the mix on the quintessential country influenced bluegrass setting.
The last two songs resonate well, too, and include Don Henley’s precise contributions of the highly rhythmic “Old Road New Again”, and “Take Me Along For The Ride” exits the listen with string acrobatics and raw yet tuneful vocals from Rodney’s soulful pipes.
The Dillards have an impressive career that goes back to the ‘60s, and this strong album proves that their talent and passion hasn’t waned one bit as Old Road New Again is packed full of proficient and timeless song craft.
Travels well with: Robert Hale- Blue Haze; Lindley Creek- Freedom, Love And The Open Road