Rick Shea Sawbones CD

This is only Rick Shea's third solo album in a decade, but the first since becoming a full-fledged member of Dave Alvin's Guilty Men band. Consequently, there's a slightly tougher feel to this release, likely inspired by Alvin's approach, yet Shea remains a unique voice in Americana music. Using his acoustic guitars, mandolins, and pedal steel as a backdrop for an eclectic stroll though stripped-down country, folk, blues, and swamp rock, Shea exudes class, dignity, and a heartfelt devotion to this music, which exudes from every track. Twelve of the 13 songs are originals (the only cover is an unplugged version of Lefty Frizell's "Saginaw Michigan"), and all are deeply ingrained in the honky tonk, hardcore country and low-key, ominous rock & roll that inspires Shea. The title track rocks with an easygoing Stones' swagger, Dave Alvin lends his guitar to the bluesy "Piedmont Ridge," and the determined stomp-along with the catchy riff of "Black-Eyed Girl" are the album's most aggressive cuts. But it's on the crackling "Lonesome Cannonball" where the eclectic pieces fit together as a forlorn fiddle sneaks between Alvin's robust, wiry guitar, a determined simmering mid-tempo beat, and Shea's easygoing vocals. The artist's yearning, plaintive, George Jones-styled singing (which is a bit of an acquired taste) and strong storytelling songs are more effective on the slower, acoustic tracks that provide the basis for the bulk of the disc. In particular, the lilting Mexican strains of "Magdalena" (some of which is sung is Spanish) shimmer with Shea's nylon guitar and just a hint of South of the Border percussion. The production, arrangements, and especially sound is stunning throughout Sawbones. It's obvious that Rick Shea took his time and dedicated substantial thought and effort to every song here, producing an invigorating, thoughtful, and sometimes sad journey through the often dark highways and bumpy gravel roads of American music. ~ Hal Horowitz

Recorded at Tujunga Sound Studios, Tujunga, California.

Personnel: Rick Shea (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin); Brantley Kearns (mandolin, fiddle); Wyman Reese (piano, organ); David P. Jackson (acoustic bass); David Hall (electric bass); John Lee White III (drums); Don Heffington (bongos, bodhran, shaker, tambourine, percussion).

Audio Mixer: Jeff Silverman.

Recording information: Mad Dog Studios (09/07/1997-06/08/2000); Studio One (09/07/1997-06/08/2000); Sunset sound (09/07/1997-06/08/2000); Tujunga Sound Studios, Tujunga, CA (09/07/1997-06/08/2000).

Personnel includes: Rick Shea (vocals, acoustic & electric guitar); Brantley Kearns (madolin, fiddle).