love: Micah P. Hinson

"Throw The Stone"

Can someone please tell me why Micah P. Hinson and the Red Empire Orchestra has yet to be released in the States? Hinson's latest, released in July in the UK, is not his most intense record, but certainly his most enjoyable, as evidenced "Come Home Quickly Darling", an introductory vignette that feels like an ancient Appalachian mountain hymnal. According to WikiPedia, Micah P. Hinson and the Red Empire Orchestra will be released on Jade Tree in the States, but their is no sign on Jade Tree's site to validate, as Micah's artist page hasn't been updated since September of 2007.

Regardless of distribution methods and availability, ...And the Red Empire Orchestra has become one of my favorite records of 2008 (Godspeed RapidShare). Hinson's old soul sketches have evolved from unfortunate, homeless, battered and bruised poetics into stunning Nashvillian symphonies, best exemplified in the orchestral arrangements which act like a puppeteer, physically moving Hinson's stories through song, as best exemplified by the plucked rhythm and swooping melody on "I Keep Having These Dreams" and the classical strings on "We Won't Have To Be Lonesome", which sounds like Townes Van Sandt locked inside a Dusty Springfield recording session in Memphis. For those in need of Micah's foreboding baritone and minimalist folk, don't worry, as "Throw The Stone" and "When We Embraced" exist in Hinson's gothic Abilene. Micah P. Hinson and the Red Empire Orchestra is a complete record with mountains and lush valleys of hope and despair, culminating with "Dyin' Alone", which perfectly melds Hinson's dark country folk with Kentucky chamber strings for a most beautiful tale of a man afraid of dying alone. "I'm not afraid of the sunset or the rain/ I'm just afraid of dyin' alone...I'm not afraid of the suffering or the pain/I'm just afraid of dyin' without findin' you."

Micah P. Hinson & the Red Empire Orchestra- I Keep Havin' These Dreams
Micah P. Hinson & the Red Empire Orchestra- Dyin' Alone

Micah P. Hinson "The Fire Came Up To My Knees"