By Brian Harman, BiTS—Blues in the South
In the past, Randy equally divided his twin passions: music in Nashville and the Montana wildlife, now as a retired wildlife biologist, he focuses solely upon his music.
Here, with this new album he continues his recent collaborations with Producer and Drummer Tom Hambridge. Joining Randy, vocals, guitar, are guitarists; Doug Lancio, Bob Britt, and Michael Saint-Leon (also on harmonica), Mike Rojas; keyboards, and Robert Kearns; bass.
The music is mostly whisky soaked, rocking Americana and blues, ‘Downtown’, is scorching, guitar laden mid-paced rocking tale of Saturday night good times.
The prowling ‘Big On A Bender’, explains the possible perils, such as; going to the toilet when handcuffed by the police.
The foot-tapping, rolling, ‘Farmhand Blues’, explains the backbreaking hardships of working the Californian land.
The mellow, sweet guitar and vocals on ‘Birdwatchin’’ amply illustrates the benefits of being an ornithologist, whilst the burning, burring fuzz-guitar on ‘Alabama’ leans enjoyably into Americana. ‘Linden Lane’, is a lyrical, sentimental southern tale of age, manners and hardiness.
A sleazy slide drives ‘Moonlight’ recalling a tale of two people enjoying a single night of passion and a prowling ‘Cynical’, pleasantly mixes psychedelic guitar work with a slow burning slide.
Another slow burner is ‘If I Were King’, which mixes, soul searching and slide guitar. ‘Mother Lee’, introspective, swirling, guitar laden emotional confusion.
‘December 1980’ is a mournful, shuffle upon the demise of John Lennon and ‘You Ain’t No Loving Woman’ is a burning ballad, recounting the emotional effect of shallow love. ‘Pecos’ is a country rocker focused on the cowboy and his faithful, trusty steed. A true cowboy love.
‘On My Way On Down’, is a burning, wailing tale of a life sinking to its lowest and ‘Dovetail Joints’ is a gentle, slow paced guitar piece which salutes the ignored, honest, industrious working-class.