Hayseed Dixie
Album: Hair Down To My Grass
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.hayseed-dixie.com

I must begin with a confession….. Stadium Rock Power Ballads by the likes of Journey, Europe, Survivor, Bon Jovi and Twisted Sister are not something that I listen to very often, if at all [although I must own up to possessing a compilation titled "Seventies Power Ballads"]. However, my view of this sometimes maligned genre of music has now radically changed, thanks to Hayseed Dixie. Let me explain.

For those unfamiliar with Hayseed Dixie, they are the originators of a new style of music which they call "Rockgrass". Basically, this involves taking heavy rock music and fusing it with bluegrass. Hayseed Dixie replace the pomp and circumstance of heavy metal and turn it into good ol' country music. In place of screaming guitars, thunderous drums and tortured keyboards, they have fiddles, banjos, and mandolins and in their hands power ballads become simple folk songs. You may ask yourself -does this work ? In reply, I will say, yes, it does. Brilliantly.

Many of the twelve songs that Hayseed Dixie have reconstructed for this album will be familiar to listeners but their "Rockgrass" versions breathe new life into them. Thus, the opener, Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'"becomes a banjo and mandolin-led romp in true bluegrass tradition. Tremendous stuff!

Survivor's familiar "Eye Of The Tiger" takes on a whole new life as Hayseed Dixie mash the tune up with Ennio Morricone's Spaghetti Western Theme from "The Good, The Bad And The Ugly" and the Marty Robbins hit "Ghost Riders In The Sky" to dazzling effect.

Europe's equally familiar "The Final Countdown" gets a Gypsy Jazz treatment, courtesy of some great fiddle from John Wheeler [aka Barley Scotch].

One song which works particularly well in a "Rockgrass" setting is Bryan Adams' "Summer of 69" but it always was a rather good tune. John Wheeler is in fine voice and his fiddle playing is again superb, as is the banjo of Johnny Butten and mandolin of Hippy Joe Hymas.

"Wind Of Change" was a 1990 hit for German rock band Scorpions but here Hayseed Dixie perform it in its original German as "Wind der Veranderung", which is a little bit different.

One of the bravest covers is that of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" from "The Wall".I never imagined that anyone would attempt a bluegrass version of this 'Floyd classic but Hayseed Dixie have done it, and not only have they done it, but they have done it brilliantly.

The album ends with another classic tune, this being Blue Oyster Cult's superb "Don't Fear The Reaper", which has always been a favourite of mine [I still have the 7" single]. Needless to say, Hayseed Dixie do it full justice with excellent vocals and fiddle from John Wheeler.

In conclusion, this is a masterful album from Hayseed Dixie who have taken a bunch of classic old stadium rock songs and turned them into something fresh and interesting. Guaranteed to make you smile.

Peter Cowley