Andy Rau..RR..Higher Ground

Andy Rau Band
Higher Ground
Anchovy Artists Records
BY JOE ROSS

The Andy Rau Band celebrates 20 years in existence this year (2006), and "Higher Ground" is their fifth album. Shortly after being introduced to their music in the early 1990s, I invited them to Oregon to perform at the Myrtlegrass Festival. They were a nice addition to the lineup to illustrate the many brands of bluegrass and related music. I have great respect for musicians who live in the future, mavericks like Rau who write their own music and follow their own muse. A banjo-player, singer and songwriter, Andy Rau creates modernistic music. Because they don't have Appalachian roots, these musicians use bluegrass instruments to create their own enchanting and cohesive repertoire with folk, rock and pop influences. One immediately notices that the 5-string plays a more subordinate and supporting role than it would in driving bluegrass music. Guitar and mandolin also complement the lyrical messages, and there is more of the former than latter.

Since I don't really consider his music to be bluegrass, some of Andy's songs (e.g. "'Til I Found You") could also use percussion, saxophone or fiddle in places for added embellishment. It's probably just my personal preference for a little more in the instrumental department. I'd like to see them take things a bit further on their next album. Knowing no sideboards, they have great opportunity to explore and innovate. Using Scruggs tuners, the instrumental "Warren's Ride" is a driving number that would've really hit me like an express train with a few more instruments featured. Of special note on this project is the strong duet, "The Best I've Found," sung with Elaine Upton.

The Andy Rau Band is Andy Rau (banjo, guitar, lead vocals), Les Johnson (guitar, vocals), Evan Anderson(mandolin, vocals), and George Boravich (bass, vocals). Andy likes to address the themes of nostalgia, broken promises, aging, mistreatment, rejection and deception. The bridge in "It Didn't Surprise Me" states that "Everytime I walk in these shoes, I feel like I was born to lose. Every time I open my heart, someone reaches in and tears it apart." There are times when Andy's songwriting reminds me of Richard Shindell, Scott Miller or maybe even Tom Petty. I'd like to see what a rock band could do with some of his songs.

Whether crazy, troubled or sane, "Suzie" is certainly a wild one who has an affectionate place in Andy's heart. It's the only track that includes Les Johnson's drums. The title cut asks, "If the river's overflowing, wouldn't you move to higher ground? That's you to me . You're my higher ground." Besides his interesting lyrics, I like the rhythms and dynamics that the band incorporates. The resourceful Andy Rau Band has its own identity with an acoustic style built primarily to interpret Rau's thoughtful songs. And they're genuine. BMP