In 2006, Bluegrass Now magazine called Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain s debut album, One phenomenal hard driving project and one of the strongest debut releases ever heard. You may be assured Hassler will be a prominent me... more »mber of the next generation. The album went on to spend 11 months on the coveted Bluegrass Unlimited (BU) Top 15 Album Chart reaching #5; two chart singles on the BU Top 30 Singles Chart; the #1 song on SIRIUS RADIO, Top 5 song on XM Radio, Top 20 track on Bluegrass Now Gospel Truths Chart and is still charting into 2008 ! XM Radio s Kyle Cantrell said, Carrie Hassler brings a new energy and freshness to Bluegrass that I haven t heard in years.
The band has certainly made a huge impact on the bluegrass and acoustic country music scene and was also chosen by the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) as a 2007Showcase Artist.
Now almost 2 years later Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain have delivered their second album, titled CHHR 2 , again produced by Mountain Heart fiddler and Grammy ® nominated Jim Van Cleve and features the new single I Can Go Back Anytime written by Jennifer Strickland, who also wrote the CHHR hit Going On The Next Train from their debut album.
And though backing includes appearances by Jim Van Cleve and Mountain Heart bandmate, (Josh Shilling), along with Steve Gulley (Grasstowne) and Andy Hall (Incredible String Dusters) the members of Hard Rain more than carry their weight with strong vocals and instrumental work that are exquisitely matched to each song.
CHHR 2 surrounds Carrie Hassler s bold, mountain soulful alto with a seamless blend of hard drivin bluegrass and pure country touches that reflect both her range of influences and her love for bluegrass. Highlights include the wealth of songs written and co-written by Hard Rain member Josh Miller such as; Second Chances , Faith And Hope , Fickle Heart , If These Wall Could Talk and a CHHR crowd pleaser Devil s Den . Also of special note, is the anthem song Country Strong , and a new twist on a classic rock favorite Turn The Page (performed with Mountain Heart lead singer Josh Shilling), and the powerful heartfelt Stranger In His Mind an Alzheimer themed song written by Mark Brinkman.
Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain are back with a new album and a major national tour. And CHHR 2 will further showcase their wide range artistry and help define their unique and powerful sound as they continue to take the bluegrass & acoustic music market by storm!« less
In 2006, Bluegrass Now magazine called Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain s debut album, One phenomenal hard driving project and one of the strongest debut releases ever heard. You may be assured Hassler will be a prominent member of the next generation. The album went on to spend 11 months on the coveted Bluegrass Unlimited (BU) Top 15 Album Chart reaching #5; two chart singles on the BU Top 30 Singles Chart; the #1 song on SIRIUS RADIO, Top 5 song on XM Radio, Top 20 track on Bluegrass Now Gospel Truths Chart and is still charting into 2008 ! XM Radio s Kyle Cantrell said, Carrie Hassler brings a new energy and freshness to Bluegrass that I haven t heard in years.
The band has certainly made a huge impact on the bluegrass and acoustic country music scene and was also chosen by the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) as a 2007Showcase Artist.
Now almost 2 years later Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain have delivered their second album, titled CHHR 2 , again produced by Mountain Heart fiddler and Grammy ® nominated Jim Van Cleve and features the new single I Can Go Back Anytime written by Jennifer Strickland, who also wrote the CHHR hit Going On The Next Train from their debut album.
And though backing includes appearances by Jim Van Cleve and Mountain Heart bandmate, (Josh Shilling), along with Steve Gulley (Grasstowne) and Andy Hall (Incredible String Dusters) the members of Hard Rain more than carry their weight with strong vocals and instrumental work that are exquisitely matched to each song.
CHHR 2 surrounds Carrie Hassler s bold, mountain soulful alto with a seamless blend of hard drivin bluegrass and pure country touches that reflect both her range of influences and her love for bluegrass. Highlights include the wealth of songs written and co-written by Hard Rain member Josh Miller such as; Second Chances , Faith And Hope , Fickle Heart , If These Wall Could Talk and a CHHR crowd pleaser Devil s Den . Also of special note, is the anthem song Country Strong , and a new twist on a classic rock favorite Turn The Page (performed with Mountain Heart lead singer Josh Shilling), and the powerful heartfelt Stranger In His Mind an Alzheimer themed song written by Mark Brinkman.
Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain are back with a new album and a major national tour. And CHHR 2 will further showcase their wide range artistry and help define their unique and powerful sound as they continue to take the bluegrass & acoustic music market by storm!
CD Reviews
Turn the Page, was Awesome Live, Can't wait to hear the Cd
Jacks Daddy from N.C. | Winston-Salem, N.C. | 07/30/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Turn the Page (Bob Seger song), Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain do their Bluegrass version on their new cd, it is awesome. Buy this Cd, The boys and Carrie rock you will love this Cd !!"
Best country album of the year!!
Anonymous | Country Music, USA | 07/29/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wow...this is the best country album that I've listened to. I am a hard critic for one, and I must say, that Ms. Hassler out did herself on this album. The songwriting, singing, music, etc. was incredible, and the entire production was stellar. I have her first album as well (which was excellent too), but this new album, in my opinion, is as good as country music gets (or ever will)."
Great songs and performances, but...
R. Mason | West Virginia | 05/05/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"As a voracious addict of modern bluegrass (hey, there are worse things to be addicted to), I stumbled onto CH&HR on Youtube, of all places. While the recording sucked (as most youtube videos do), I was blown away by these players! Fiery, tight, great songs, incredible playing... hey, what's not to like?
Right away I bought both CD's, and couldn't wait to pop them in to listen.
Again, I was blown away, for even in a studio setting they were just as fired up.
Now for the bad news. As a recording engineer and musician for many years, engineering, mastering, and overall sound play a big part in how I evaluate a CD. This CD (and the first one too) sounds like the engineer was more accustomed to recording rock bands, rather than acoustic music. Everything is highly compressed, and sounds (to my ears) just a bit too "edgy". Keep in mind, I'm comparing to recordings like those of recent Alison Kraus and Union Station - which are not just pristinely recorded, but retain the subtle qualities of acoustic instruments, the intricate nuances of each instrument that make them really sing. Engineers who are great at this know that this is what makes the music "breathe".
So, I'm giving this one 4 stars, but I want to stress - NOT because of the writing or performances, but because after listening to the entire CD, my ears hurt (just a bit)."
Carrie Hassler Keeping It Real with "CHHR2"
T. Yap | Sydney, NSW, Australia | 02/09/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Prime Cuts: If These Walls Could Speak, I Can Go Back Any Time, She's a Stranger in His Mind
Times of refreshing are upon bluegrass fans of late. Instead of traditionally being depicted as old time music for retreads, the genre has benefited from the flourish of contemporary youngsters such as Melonie Cannon, Kristin Scott Benson, Donna Ulisse and Sierra Hull. Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain are the latest addition to this emerging genre of progressive bluegrass. Crafting from a sonic palette that is fresh and daring, "CCHR2" consists of newly written material (with the lion share coming from the pen of band member Josh Miller) and a few surprising covers (including one from Bob Dylan). All of which are done with class and sensitivity, thanks to producer Jim VanCleve of the Mountain Heart fame. Further, Carrie Hassler, who handles the lead vocals, has a penetrating soprano that exhibits the tenacity of a Lee Ann Womack as well as the depth of a Dolly Parton.
Breaking out of the gate on full sprint is the nostalgic lead single "I Can Go Back Any Time," led by some white hot banjo flurries. To defy anyone who ever accuse bluegrass of being too laidback, "One Way Track to Nowhere" is a high powered broken hearted romp that is energized by some potent picking and a spirited performance. Feeling bad has never sounded so good. While Hassler dons an attitude as she kisses her no good paramour good riddance with "Second Chances" with some assertive banjo filigrees seconding her decision. Geared towards country radio is the Jennifer Hanson, Tony Martin and Mark Nesler's uptempo "Country Strong." Despite being written by Nashville's A team of writers, it has an artificialness to the whole tune; it tries too hard to fit radio that it becomes bland.
Nevertheless, the linchpin that actually sets "CCHR2" apart from most CDs out there is the group's ability to tackle topics too often difficult to articulate. While few would even put to ink what it feels like to contract cancer, on "I Don't Want to Wake Up" Hassler deals with this subject head on. "I Don't Want to Wake Up" is told with such a mournful honesty that it is truly a slice of life captured within song. Never eschewing the toils of life, "If Walls Could Talk" gives testimony to the struggles of a single mother with Hassler's vocals as affecting as the lyrics. The crippling effects of Alzheimer's disease is the theme of "She's a Stranger in His Mind;" while the spiritual "Faith and Hope" sounds like the panacea to all of these woes.
"Fickle Heart" and "1,800 Miles," on the other hand, are your standard bluegrass fare attendant with some excellent playing. They are passable without being exceptional. Regardless, "CCHR2" (which may not be the most catchy album title) finds its pride of place in some well crafted tunes that speak to the lives of people. And Hassler and her team are to be congratulated for not afraid to address touchy issues in a way that is heartfelt as well as hopeful.
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1