Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain

Carrie Hassler, Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 26, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rural Rhythm
• ASIN: B000HWXRE2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #221,384 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How good can "Good" get?, July 9, 2007

By 

Mark J. Fowler "Let's Play Two!" (Jacksonville, Florida) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain (Audio CD)

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Energetic & beautiful, December 21, 2006

By 

Claire (East coast, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain (Audio CD)

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!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hot bluegrass, great sound!, October 5, 2007

By 

Michael D. Crowder "A Fan's Fan" (Chattanooga, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain (Audio CD)

I love bluegrass, but I'm not by any means a member of the "Bluegrass Police," those people that consider themselves the guardians of the true bluegrass sound. I consider this to be a relatively traditional recording, but it has a tight and punchy sound that lends a modern feel. The picking and singing is great throughout, and the arrangements are first class. I only wish that more of the record had been recorded with the real Hard Rain instead of the studio giants that appear on about half the cuts. Why do people do that?