The HillBenders Live at the Grand Ole Opry Vol. 1
Short is sweet, they say — and with Live at the Grand Ole Opry Vol. 1, The HillBenders prove that brevity can still leave a strong impression.
Across just three tracks, they offer the first glimpse of their upcoming BeatleGrass project, and it’s an enticing preview. Their lively renditions of “I Ain’t Gonna Work Tomorrow” (The Carter Family) and the Beatles’ “Lady Madonna” — that famously cheeky 1968 tune — work surprisingly well in a hillbilly frame. As someone from Liverpool, hearing Paul’s classic reimagined with such warmth and wit was a genuine pleasure.
The original number, “One Fine, Sweet and Sunny Day,” briefly had me thinking it was a Dylan cut until the lyrics revealed otherwise. It’s a solid tune, and like many live songs, I suspect its full charm lands best when you’re in the audience — ideally at the Grand Ole Opry itself. Next time, send an invite and I might enjoy it even more.
What shines throughout is the musicianship and the sheer warmth of the performance. It’s easy to see why The HillBenders connect so well with listeners.
As a taster, Live at the Grand Ole Opry Vol. 1 opens the door to their world and hints at exciting things to come with BeatleGrass. Any music that makes you feel good can’t be a bad thing — and this certainly does.
Find more information and links to listen here on their website: https://thehillbenders.com
The album was produced by The HillBenders, engineered by The Grand Ole Opry house crew, and mastered by Doug Nugles. Musicians on the album are Jody Bilyeu on vocals, mandolin, and keyboard; Jimmy Reā on vocals and guitar; Gary Rea on vocals and upright bass; Andrew Morris on vocals and banjo; and John Anderson on drums.