Missy Raines & Allegheny, fronted by Grammy-nominated bassist and vocalist Missy Raines, have announced their upcoming album Love & Trouble, due May 2. The project is introduced by the lead single, “Anywhere the Wind Blows.”
The song brings together four generations of prominent female bluegrass musicians. Co-written by Kathy Kallick and John Reischman in the 1970s, “Anywhere the Wind Blows” was originally part of the repertoire of the Good Ol’ Persons, a pioneering West Coast bluegrass band featuring Kallick and fiddler Laurie Lewis. Although Raines, then a teenager immersed in the mid-Atlantic bluegrass scene, discovered the band later, their influence left a lasting impression.
Joining Raines on the track is Allegheny’s fiddler and vocalist Ellie Hakanson, who grew up in Oregon inspired by Kallick, Lewis, and the Good Ol’ Persons. Now collaborating directly with her musical heroes, Hakanson describes the experience as “an honor.”
Missy recalls: “I first heard recordings of the Good Ol’ Persons in the early 80’s but it was rare to get to see them on the East Coast. That all changed when I started playing with Eddie and Martha Adcock in 1985, giving me a chance to travel to the West Coast a few times a year. As a woman, it was incredibly empowering to see and hear Laurie and Kathy on stage. And the songwriting! They were/are such great writers. When I heard ‘Anywhere the Wind Blows’ I knew immediately that I wanted to sing that song with Ellie. It spoke to me. Then we got the idea of having Kathy and Laurie sing it with us won the record. I am so honored that we were able to make this happen!“
About the song, Kathy shared: “John Reischman and I were pondering the old approach/avoidance dance, how the grass is always greener, and you can’t always get what you want, but then you don’t miss your water ’til the well… and came up with this song. What a thrill to hear Missy and her great band reinvent this, and then be invited to sing along!”
Laurie added: “I have always loved Kathy’s song, “Anywhere the Wind Blows,” and it is an absolute kick to hear this updated version with Missy Raines & Allegheny. It is icing on the cake to have been asked to be a little part of it. Such a great groove!“
Missy Raines & Allegheny have made a significant mark on bluegrass with their distinctive mix of traditional roots and innovative musicality. Fronted by Missy Raines, one of the most celebrated bassists in bluegrass, the band is known for its tight arrangements, heartfelt harmonies, and deep ties to mid-Atlantic bluegrass traditions.
Author: World Music Central News Room
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