Red Camel Collective’s “Roll on Mississippi”

Red Camel Collective’s “Roll on Mississippi” recasts Charley Pride’s 1981 hit as a bluegrass song with dazzling results. It’s a triumph for the four members of Red Camel Collective, Heather Berry Mabe, Tony Mabe, Johnathan Dillon, and Curt Love undoubtedly enriched by their membership in the Junior Sisk Band. The Virginia/North Carolina-based band is an offshoot of the Sisk Band, yes, but the new single finds them immediately forging an identity all their own. Covering this relatively obscure Pride single is the first clue.

Their interpretative powers allow them the latitude to move between traditional county and bluegrass without betraying any hesitancy. The band’s three-headed vocal center of Heather Berry Mabe, Tony Mabe, and Johnathan Dillon blend seamlessly throughout “Roll on Mississippi” with each singer shining bright. Heather Berry Mabe, in particular, commands the respect of veteran performers and has been mentioned in the same breath as time-honored luminaries such as Mother Maybelle Carter and Emmylou Harris, among others.

Johnathan Dillon’s mandolin playing is one of the song’s highlights. His fleet-fingered work on the instrument veers into virtuoso territory without ever overshadowing the other musicians. He hails from a school of thought that eschews flash for flashes’ sake alone and values serving the song. Tony Mabe’s banjo and guitar work is a perfect match for Dillon. His lines intertwine with Dillon’s playing without losing an airy effervescent that keeps the track light on its feet. Curt Love’s bass playing provides a crucial bottom-end anchor for Mabe and Dillon’s musical exploration. It plays to traditional strengths without ever striking a paint-by-numbers vibe.

The song is longer than many typical bluegrass tracks. However, Red Camel Collective never bites off more than they can chew, and the duration is reflective of their efforts to faithfully render Pride’s original version. The pop-country sensibilities of that original remain present in Red Camel’s take albeit filtered through a bluegrass consciousness. It results in a performance with one foot in each camp, and they straddle these seemingly incompatible styles with sure-footed skill.

Red Camel Collective’s “Roll on Mississippi” likewise excels thanks to first-class production values. The bell clarity of the instrumentation and vocals help make this a standout performance, and the balance struck between each instrument never fails the band. Their experience as ongoing members of the Junior Sisk Band fortifies them for this endeavor, and the obvious chemistry translates well onto the recording.

Red Camel Collective has all the necessary promises to be a standalone act in its own right rather than just a lark connected with the Junior Sisk experience. The previously mentioned chemistry these four musicians share is a sturdy building block for whatever they want to try. They have a bracing amount of daring threaded into their musical character, and it comes across throughout the entirety of their single “Roll on Mississippi”. It’s an auspicious five-star way to begin the band’s existence and promises outstanding moments to come. Red Camel Collective appeals to more than just bluegrass aficionados; they have a sound that crosses arbitrary genre boundaries and invites you to listen.  

Mindy McCall