Moving to the Country

This second treasure trove of country blues is a wonderful mixture of older, some known but mostly forgotten, gems that had been gathering dust, and five songs written by these two artists that fit right in with the earlier diamonds, making the whole disc a wonderful way to kick back and enjoy no matter where you are. This album owes a big part of its appeal to the stunning finger picked lines that Rishell seems to lay down so effortless as to appear common place, blended with the supportive and sensitive harp work of Raines. These two are not only sharing the rich traditions of these country blues, but they are ever widening the audience with their precision playing and empathetic treatment of the music. They bring this style of music to the forefront and make it a living and vital organism. The two have a wonderful chemistry that stems from the genuine love of this music, and the joy they so obviously share with each others playing. It is serious and yet at the same time joyous. It is the quiet joy of a couple that have been together so long, and shared so much, that they can just in a look communicate the whole world to their partner. On six of the cuts they have some other musicians playing with them, and rather than lose some of their intimacy due to the intrusion of others into the mix, they seem to gain. The other musicians have no trouble letting them go and do what they do, and they stay in the background and in a most supportive way fill out the sound, allowing Rishell and Raines to use their support to reach for a fuller sound. The joy and love of their music is the very solid foundation to this disc, and the stunning musical mastery of their instruments is the result of long hours of playing. Listen to Rishell's delivery of the vocal on "My Washerwoman's Gone." He has the intonation that is needed for this bawdy song, then pause long enough to listen to what he is playing on his guitar and how effortless it sounds. That is a sound they achieve by the consequence of both love and dedication to their craft. This is a gem on many levels. ~ Bob Gottlieb|