Melissa Carper Releases Reimagined Odetta Classic “Hit Or Miss”
Singer/songwriter and upright bassist Melissa Carper has released a reimagined version of Odetta’s 1970 classic “Hit Or Miss” the latest from her forthcoming LP due out on November 18th via Mae Music/Thirty Tigers. The video for “Hit Or Miss” features Carper performing the song with legendary swamp funkster Shinyribs.
“I hadn’t realized until more recently how much of a figure Odetta was in the American folk music revival and also what a pioneer she was for female artists,” Carper says. “I would never have thought of trying to sing this song because I am frankly intimidated by the power and attitude Odetta sings it with. Someone suggested I record ‘Hit or Miss,’ so I decided to give it a try. I recorded a demo of it and, listening back, quickly realized that I would have to sing this song like I meant it or I was never going to pull it off. I gave it my best shot and tried to embody her attitude,” she continues. “The morning before we recorded it, I listened to Odetta sing it 50 times over to get pumped up!”
“I’ve always admired Shinyribs’ musicianship and his highly entertaining stage presence. I knew he would be really fun to work with and super groovy on a song like ‘Hit or Miss,’ so I was excited when he said yes to doing this video,” she explains of performing with Shinyribs, the solo project of artist Kevin Russell. “I have a tendency to be too serious when I’m performing and every time I looked over at Kevin, he just made me laugh. It was a blast making the video and he even showed me a couple dance moves. Plus he gave me socks with flames on them! They are my favorite socks now.”
TOUR DATES
11/9 – Baton Rouge, LA @ Red Dragon*
11/10 – Baton Rouge, LA @ Red Dragon*
11/11 – Taylor, TX @ Black Sparrow Music Parlor*
11/12 – Fischer, TX @ Devil’s Backbone Tavern*
11/13 – Galveston, TX @ Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe*
11/17 – Dallas, TX @ Poor David’s Pub
11/18 – Little Rock, AR @ White Water Tavern
12/1 – San Antonio, TX @ The Lonesome Rose
12/2 – Austin, TX @ State Theatre
12/3 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
12/4 – New Orleans, LA @ Cafe Istanbul
12/7 – Asheville, NC @ The Grey Eagle
12/8 – Decatur, GA @ Eddie’s Attic
12/9 – Nashville, TN @ Station Inn
12/10 – Knoxville, TN @ Boyd’s Jig & Reel
12/11 – Berea, KY @ Rebel Rebel Studio & Lounge
* w/ Kelly Willis & Brennen Leigh
