I’d wager that if you asked ten people about the banjo, nine of them would say it’s a hallmark of bluegrass music, or adds highlights to some of the indie-style acoustic music that’s been popular the last couple of decades. But if you go back to the 50’s and 60’s it was an integral part of the folk music scene, from the legendary Pete Seeger to Dave Guard of The Kingston Trio and Erik Darling of The Weavers. Current Austinite, but upstate New York-raised, Rita Bliss is turning back the pages to that style of folk on her new album One More Winter. Enlisting some of the cream of the Austin acoustic musician crowd, including Dom Fisher, Noah Jeffries, and Billy Bright, she delivered a record like you probably haven’t heard in a long time.
One of the things Bliss has a knack for is an easy-going tempo and lyrical style that delivers the feeling of a lazy, sunny afternoon. All My Days is a love song stitching together snippets of a life together, from planting a garden to asking forgiveness for leaving the coffee on the burner too long. Just as sweet is Aimlessly, beckoning to “let’s watch the sunlight fading, and have conversation aimlessly.” Some Say is admonition that, regardless of your beliefs, if heaven is the place where good people go you should act like you believe in it. Come Along is Bliss’ take on a road trip song where “we’re going down to Texas.”
On several songs Bliss takes things in her own hands, with no accompaniment to her vocals other than her banjo and harmonica. Empty Houses uses that to give a reminiscent feel in an admission that while she doesn’t miss the winter storms, “I miss that northern sky ever since I’ve been away.” Sometimes She Sings is a love song about all the things she holds dear about partner, including that “she talks to the moon, hugs her favorite trees.” Honey takes the simple solo performance to a deeply personal place where “once I had a habit that cost everything I had” before her lover rescued her.
With so many things in our daily lives spiraling out of our control it feels important, necessary even, to help admire the problem and make it known where we stand on issues. But like doomscrolling the news on your phone, all that time focused on what’s wrong can leave you mentally exhausted. It’s good then to step back and observe a few of the better things around you. On her new album, One More Winter, Rita Bliss has done that in spades. Full of gratitude and appreciation for some of the simpler things in life, it’s a 30-minute respite from all the turmoil and I can just about guarantee listening to it will leave you in a happier place.
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.