Time – 37:37 -- Over ten years have passed since I worked with The Rarely Herd on an article for Bluegrass Unlimited magazine (February, 2004). At the time, they had released two albums, secured a contract with Pinecastle records, and won numerous band contests and awards. Always stressing entertainment, the Rarely Herd had become nationally known for a unique sound characterized by strong musicianship and smooth harmonies. From Athens, Ohio, the band was originally formed in 1989 by Jeff Weaver and brothers Jim and Alan Stack (who formerly had a band called Frog and the Greenhorns). Fiddler Alan Stack is apparently no longer with the group, and Jeff Hardin now saws those strings. In 2002, original band members Dan Brooks (dobro) and Calvin LePort (banjo) returned after a four-year absence. The Rarely Herd is back with a vengeance, and “Return Journey” seems to indicate that the band may be sacrificing some traditionalism in order to create a more commercial, contemporary signature sound built around the nucleus of Jim Stack’s engaging lead vocals. In all fairness, however, they also lay down some nice arrangements of Black Eyed Susie, A Hundred Years From Now, I Still Miss Someone, and I Could Cry. With songs of many moods, the band covers material from Harley Allen, Don Reno, John Schwab and a trio of splendid numbers penned by Bill Castle (Old Church Bell, Lonesome Town, Don’t Lay Down the Sword). “The Waving Girl,” opens the album on acoustic country note and tells the sad story of Florence Martus, a jilted woman waiting earnestly for her sailor to return. A statue of her waving to ships stands on the shore of Savannah, Ga. today. Of their original material, “Always Wanting More” sings about too much push-and-shove. “Miss Me But Let Me Go” is a catchy bluegrassy piece that puts to music a loving poem from an Ohio River fisherman to his family. “Dream All Thru the Night” documents the dream of Jeff Weaver’s five-year-old boy about a beautiful dark-haired girl in a pink dress. I like well-written novelty tunes, and “Next Thing Leaving Town” does the trick. Weaver collaborated with Ronnie Reno to write “Arizona John,” and Reno plays guitar on this track about a tall, dark, desperate (and woman-stealing) man. There’s even a 16-second bonus “goodbye” track in full harmony. Jeff Weaver once told me that “It takes three things to succeed in bluegrass and that’s good talent, good management and entertainment.” The Rarely Herd’s “Return Journey” shows that the band has all three, and their solid enduring foundation is also built around hard work, persistence, drive and commitment. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)