"File Under Bluegrass" barely scratches the surface of this
Mark J. Fowler | Okinawa, Japan | 03/10/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Missy Raines has been voted bass player of the year seven times by the International Bluegrass Music Association. She is most closely associated with her superb work with the Claire Lynch band and duo projects with 2-time IBMA Guitarist of the year Jim Hurst.
She felt an urge to step out as a band-leader, and The New Hip is the excellent result. Missy was just signed to multiple grammy winning Compass records and "Inside Out" is their truly hip first disc.
The back label instructs music store employees "file under bluegrass", but like many of her Compass colleagues, Missy's music doesn't squarely fit into any size or shape container. If you mixed this CD in with Dave Brubeck, no heads would turn. If you played it between the Cowboy Junkies and Michelle Shocked, astute listeners would think "yeah - that fits". Nine of the ten tracks feature drums, which would immediately prompt a bluegrass purist to declare "THAT ain't bluegrass!" But as Alison Krauss and Robert Plant proved with Raising Sand (with its six grammies) - the boundaries of roots music are still stretching and reaching. The New Hip are musicians who perfectly complement their talented and innovative leader.
Missy's earnest, breathy vocals expertly propel and carry several of the more excellent tunes. "Basket of Singing Birds" is maybe the most bluegrassy tune on the recording, and sounds like a lost recording from the Cowboy Junkies Trinity Session, with a comfortable but driving rhythm and vocals that demand attention. More perfectly than any recording I ever heard before, "Magnolia" captures the feel of a laid back Sunday sitting on a porch swing, feeling the luscious flavor of the gentle breeze. "Tattoo" is a bittersweet piece that talks about the imprint we make on each other.
The title cut and "Duke of Paducah" are jazzy numbers that would sound right at home beside Brubeck's Take Five. "Pootie Tang" is a bluesy funk instrumental that makes me move. "Ides of March" is a careful, deliberate instrumental ballad anchored by Raines' precise and meaningful bass work, with featured work from Hip-mates Dillon Hodges on guitar, Ethan Ballinger on mandolin and mandola, and Michael Witcher on resophonic guitar. The up-tempo "Stop, Drop and Wiggle" is led with Witcher's slide resophonic and sounds like the music the musician's wanted to play when they finished recording the theme song to "Hawaii Five-O". "Angeline" is the most up-tempo of the instrumentals, but it sounds less like Flatt and Scruggs and more like David Grisman Quintette. "File Under Bluegrass" the label proclaims, but this debut recording joyously marks new and exciting territory.
I had the privilege to interview Missy and she said in part: "I've been thinking about the formation of this band for years but I think I had to really come around to the point when I was ready for it. I felt like I had reached some place inside that said, 'this is it, this is the time'. I'm not sure if there was any one factor that contributed to it, but all the ingredients were coming into place for me. I had found a great booking agent who was ready and willing to commit to the journey, same with a manager. And I found some great players who also wanted to commit to it."
Indeed - the time for Missy Raines and the New Hip has begun.
"
Mixed-bag -- bluesy Americana and mellow newgrass instrument
Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 02/14/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"As a bandleader, bluegrass bassist Missy Raines tilts towards the funky and melodic... This disc alternates between vocal numbers (which are very sweet; she has a really nice voice) and easy-listen-ish instrumental numbers... Fans of Bela Fleck and Nickle Creek will dig it. I prefer the tracks where she sings, which fit in nicely with a wide variety of folk/Americana styles. Worth checking out! (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue Music Guide)"
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1