Make a beeline to ‘Susanville’ with Dixie charmers leading the way

By Diana Nollen

All roads lead to “Susanville” on The Dixie Bee-Liners' first concept album.

But the Virginia bluegrass band takes many musical routes to reach that destination, each one offering a poetic glimpse into the various vehicles zipping along life's highways and byways. Some are funny, some are poignant, some are sassy and all are brilliant - even the interludes that last from four- to 10 seconds.

All are fueled by hot fiddling and banjo picking, with lovely vocals stretching from country twangs to pop harmonies. Along the way the Bee-Liners inject mandolin, toy piano, bass frog, dulcimer, bouzouki, cello, various guitars, harpsichord, piano and Hammond organ.

They crisscross the nation, with stops in North Dakota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Idaho, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Virginia, en route to Susanville, Ga.

Brandi Hart handles most of the lead vocals, wrapping her old-timey, reedy vocals around contemporary themes, beginning with “Heavy.” Word of warning: 'tis better to listen carefully to the lyrics than to try to read the liner notes. They're more frustrating than wrestling with a road map while riding shotgun.

Among the many moods are “Restless,” driving through an ominous beat; the bouncy fun of “Find Out”; the sassy sauce of “Road Hog”; the banjo-picking hoedown of “Albion Road”; the clear, clean male vocals on “Truck Stop Baby”; the ethereal tone of “Graveyard Shift”; the Liz Phair sound of “In My Pocket” and the Simon & Garfunkel harmonies on “Lead Foot.”

The most foot-stompin' fun is the homespun humor of “Trixie's Diesel-Stop Cafe.” You'll want to head on over for Trixie's signature dish, Tiger Puddin'.

The Dixie Bee-Liners make their CSPS debut Friday, May 21, 2010, just a few short days before the historic social hall-turned-artists'-haven closes for about six months of renovations. Um, dare I say make a beeline for the concert? This band won't steer you wrong.

FAST TAKEInformation: www.legionarts.org/music/Bees.htm and http://http://dixiebeeliners.com/index.html

Title: “Susanville”

Artist: The Dixie Bee-Liners

Label: Pinecastle Records

Performance: 8 p.m. Friday, May 21, 2010, at CSPS, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids

Tickets: $11 in advance at www.midwestix.com or $15 at the door