Search - Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain :: Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain

This album represents this band's lunar launch

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 12/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 33:53 -- Rural Rhythm Records' recent emphasis on "New Traditions" has resulted in their signing Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain. Produced by Jim Van Cleve, rough mixes of the early sessions were sent to the label's president, Sam Passamano. "From the very first song we heard, which was `Seven Miles from Wichita,'" remembers Passamano, "everyone at the label was just blown away by the power, beauty and diversity of Carrie's voice. Her ability to move with such style and grace from hard drivin' bluegrass to traditional country to gospel to an emotional ballad is simply amazing." I heartily agree. The up-and-coming artist from Pikeville, Tn. started out singing at an early age but never found her "true place" until she sang her first bluegrass song and the sound, warmth and feeling that bluegrass gave her. The band's first single, "Seven Miles from Wichita," has memorable melody and lyrics. Carrie fronts the band with her magnetic and somewhat sassy voice telling us tales about life. "Love is our business, and business is good" is one of her hooks.



Carrie has a preponderance of songs about broken hearts or being somewhere enroute running hither and thither. I guess my only recommendation would be to look for songs with new creative themes ... topical material and messages we don't always hear in bluegrass and country music. Then again, maybe they just want to play it safe on their debut. The band covers drivin' material from Jennifer Strickland, Lisa Ray, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and others. They're very good songs. The title cut, from Mark Houser and Jimmy Bilbrey, talks of loosening "these chains in a big ol' town and drivin' to Kentucky in a hard rain" to rediscover country roots. Acoustic country repertoire includes a cover of Webb Pierce and Wayne Walker's "Leavin' On Your Mind" and Morgane Hayes/Rory Lee's "Now That She's Gone." The instrumental "Sensabaugh Tunnel" begins in 6/8 time before being propelled into a fiery breakdown tempo. It's followed by the quartet's a cappella "Least That I Can Do," from the pen of Tammy Griffin. Like the label she's now on, Hassler's contemporary bluegrass pays considerable respect to sound roots tradition with a cover of Carter Stanley's "Our Last Goodbye."



From the first notes on the album, the band's strong drive also features Josh Miller's banjo, Josh Swift's dobro, Kevin McKinnon's mandolin, Keith McKinnon's guitar and Travis Anderson's bass. Guest musicians include Clay Jones, Adam Steffey, Darrin Vincent, Steve Reece, Jim Locke and Katie Kerkhover. Carrie has worked with Dave Peterson and 1946, Mountain Heart, Lonesome River Band, Fritts Family, Rhonda Vincent, Shadow Ridge, Lovell Sisters, Cumberland Gap Connection and Kentucky Wind. Josh has been engaged in bluegrass to funk music, appears on the Lovell Sisters' debut album, and has also recorded with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. Born and raised in southwest Virginia, Kevin McKinnon had toured with Jeanette Williams' Band before joining Carrie's in late-2005. His brother, Keith, is not only a great guitarist but a very solid fiddler as well. While exploring other musical styles, Travis stays in touch with bluegrass roots by playing with the Bottom Dollar Band and his family band that now includes two younger sisters on fiddles.



Carrie Hassler says she's blessed with all the love and support she needs to keep moving on. Besides a husband and young son, she also now has the band of her dreams - one that is exciting, innovative, stimulating and astute. Young folks are restless, and they keep on the move. Will this group be a revolving door to bigger bands? Is this band just a one-hit wonder, or are they committed to continued growth and reaching even higher goals with their bluegrass music? They've got the talent and potential to go plumb to the top. In her opening cut (written by bandmates Miller & Swift), Carrie sings of being "off to California one more time with the breeze, tryin' to catch your breath somewhere in between." That sentiment could easily characterize this band's lunar launch, as well as their busy days ahead. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

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Energetic & beautiful

Claire | East coast, USA | 12/21/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm so glad I accidentally stumbled across this album. Top songs for me -"Restless State" & "Seven Miles". Smooth, memorable lyrics. Musicians are incredible - wonderful sound and Carrie's voice sets a beautiful tone - a bit of Alison Krauss with a kick.



This album is a good reminder of why I love folk and country so much. It gets you back to the roots. Love it! Good luck Carrie and band!

"

How good can "Good" get?

Mark J. Fowler | Okinawa, Japan | 07/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think that when Bill Monroe died in 1996 there was a lot of concern among bluegrass fans about what would happen to the music in the years to come. We shouldn't have worried. Though based on musical traditions older than the hills, Bluegrass music is enjoying salad days unlike anything in the music's storied past. Right now there are probably a dozen bands that sing better and play better than almost anything that existed during Mr. Monroe's lifetime. For the first 70 years of recorded Bluegrass a hot and new talent would come along every five or ten years, it seems like. Since the break-up of the prototypical band - the one with Monroe and Flatt and Scruggs, how many BIG bands came to prominence in the next several decades? The Osborne Brothers.... Jimmy Martin.... J.D. Crowe.... The Country Gentlemen.... The Newgrass Revival....



When Alison Krauss came onto the scene our heads turned. Same with Nickel Creek. Now my head gets turned a few times a year! Who the heck ARE these guys? Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain are all talents previously unknown to me, yet they have recorded an album of blistering bluegrass and heart-wringing country ballads that aren't just good. These tunes shake your bones and get under your skin. Take a listen to the opening track "Restless State of Mind". If your toes aren't tapping and your body swaying call for the undertaker.



Seriously - Carrie Hassler has serious game as a bluegrass/country vocalist. Hard Rain has serious chops - joining the Infamous Stringdusters as a band with so many instrumental options that you just can't WAIT to hear the next hot break from the next hot player. Check out the instrumental "Sensabaugh Tunnel", opening like a wonderful cross between an Irish Fiddle tune and a syncopated Jazz riff, then evolving into a full speed bluegrass breakdown.



I wish Bill could have lived to hear what is being played today. This CD is as good as it gets."