Rural Rhythm
2008
Chhr 2
About This Album
Hassler's eponymous debut with her Hard Rain band stayed at the top of the bluegrass charts for almost a year and was still on the charts almost two years later. Like their first outing CHHR 2 was produced by fiddler Jim VanCleve, a founder of the bluegrass super group Mountain Heart, who managed to capture the feel and fire of a live gig. The album is balanced between traditional bluegrass and numbers that sound like they're ready made for the country charts, with Hassler's emotive alto a clear match for any country diva you might want to compare her to. With banjo player Josh Miller contributing eight more songs that are perfectly balanced between tradition and tomorrow, Hassler and Hard Rain are clearly ready to take their place in the pantheon of great bluegrass bands. "I Can Go Back Anytime" opens the album with a blazing instrumental track highlighted by Miller's banjo and VanCleve's fiery fiddling. "Country Strong" is a subtle "power ballad" that lets Hassler show off her emotional range, and sports a soaring chorus that sounds ready made for the country charts. Josh Miller's "I Don't Want to Wake Up" is another tune with chart potential, a brokenhearted lament with a soulful vocal from Hassler and understated support from the band, particularly Andy Hall's slide guitar.
Track List (try tracks 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9)

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