Hank, Pattie & The Current: “Letters” (2022) CD Review

Hank, Pattie & The Current are a bluegrass band led by Hank Smith and Pattie Hopkins Kinlaw, offering original material that combines bluegrass with folk, soul and jazz elements. This band has its own particular sound and vibe, certainly not tied to any rules of what bluegrass is supposed to be. The band is based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is made up of Hank Smith on banjo and vocals, Pattie Hopkins Kinlaw on fiddle and vocals, Billie Feather on guitar and vocals, and Stevie Martinez on bass and vocals. Work on this new album began when everything was shut down at the beginning of the pandemic, and the songs were developed remotely over that time. So when they did get into the studio to record them, the songs were ready. The album features all original material, with all four members contributing. The theme of this album seems to be perseverance, the message that we will make it through.

The group kicks off the album with its title track, “Letters,” which starts with a good groove on guitar. There is immediately something catchy about this music, and then the chorus has a bright energy, all of it working to raise our spirits. “I took the wrong way/Now the right way seems so far away/Send me a letter when you get there.” This song was written by Stevie Martinez, Billie Feather and Pattie Hopkins Kinlaw. That’s followed by “First Time,” which was written by Billie Feather. This one begins with the vocals before the song’s groove is established. “Walk me down to the edge/I feel the moss between my toes/Your voice whispers deep below/Like sunlight through the leaves.” There is a good deal of passion to the vocal performance. This one is over all too soon. There is another strong vocal performance on “Sunset Neon Lights.” I love that delicious jazzy vibe on this song’s chorus. This track also features an interesting instrumental section halfway through, taking us to a rather contemplative place, giving us the space to breathe. And the piece then builds again from there. This one was written by Hank Smith, Pattie Hopkins Kinlaw and Billie Feather.

“Grady’s Song” eases in, with Pattie Hopkins Kinlaw plucking the strings of her violin, and soon builds in a beautiful way, creating a strong sense of atmosphere, of possibilities. There is warmth and love at the center of this song. “When you think you have it all/You can reach and never fall.” That’s followed by “Interlude – Sandbox,” an instrumental track that is absolutely delightful. I love the way this music transports us, the instruments sometimes like characters that you want to spend time with, characters that draw us to them, making us want to immerse ourselves in their world. I especially love that work on violin. This one was composed by Stevie Martinez. “Lost in my thoughts, lost in my dreams/Where nothing is as it seems,” Pattie sings in “Steady,” another track taking us to an unusual and interesting place. This track features some great stuff on banjo, and I love that instrumental section in the second half, led by the violin and banjo.

“Why Don’t You?” begins gently in the folk realm. “Why don’t you hear me when I talk aloud/The words seem meaningless, like shouting in a crowd.” Then there is this incredible moment when the song gains in intensity, grabbing us just as Pattie sings, “Take me in your arms.” There is a gorgeous power, especially on violin. This is one of my personal favorites. Then “Hold On” moves at a good pace, and contains a positive message. “Dark clouds gonna come/We’ve got to hold on/We can overcome/We’ve got to hold on, hold on.” That’s followed by “Down The Hall,” a song that seems to reach out to us in an uncertain world. “Did you find what you were seeking?” Then “Interlude – The Rüetschi Forge” is the album’s second instrumental track, this one featuring some excellent work on banjo. It was composed by Hank Smith, and is a piece that has a good energy, a track that is able to transport us.

“The Freedom We Seek” is a pretty song, with a pleasant, dreamlike vibe at moments. “Call to me/Whenever you’re ready/To be anything/You missed from the start.” That’s followed by “I’m Going Out.” In this song, they sing, “I’m going out tonight/Some place I feel free.” It seems a simple statement, but for a long time none of us was going anywhere. And even now the pandemic is not over, and going out carries with it a certain risk, as well as a certain joy. The lines “Don’t you worry/Everything will be all right” are repeated until we believe them ourselves. There is a good energy about this track, and more good work on banjo. The album concludes with its third instrumental track, “Postlude – The Pub At The Gate,” this one with more of a traditional sound, feeling like a dance.

CD Track List

1. Letters
2. First Time
3. Sunset Neon Lights
4. Lullaby
5. Grady’s Song
6. Interlude – Sandbox
7. Steady
8. Why Don’t You?
9. Hold On
10. Down The Hall
11. Interlude – The Rüetschi Forge
12. Take Time
13. The Freedom We Seek
14. I’m Going Out
15. Postlude – The Pub At The Gate

Letters was released on June 3, 2022 on Robust Records. By the way, on the band’s website, the band mentions that fans are encouraged to record the concerts and share those recordings. A lot of artists allow recordings, but I can think of very few that actually encourage it. Very cool.