Randy Lee Riviere – Farmhand Blues
Wilderness Records
15 songs time – 65:39
Singer-songwriter-guitarist Randy Lee Riviere combines noisy rock sounds and elements of Americana. His songs and his gruff vocalizations are hardly memorable. He is one of four guitarists here, so you don’t know who is playing what where, as their track contributions aren’t listed. The guitars are the highlight of this recording. Tom Hambridge produced and played drums. The songs are either written by Randy or Randy with Tom Hambridge.
The guitars charge hard on “Downtown” and a bit of harmonica by Michael Saint-Leon. Randy doesn’t always enunciate well. “Big On A Bender” is a rather ominous discourse the subject. It has a somewhat honky-tonk country feel to it”. Sometimes the devil don’t make a sound”. The guitar attack continues on the title track, “Farmhand Blues”. The ringing guitar is set off by a chiming keyboard riff by Mike Rojas on the slow and pondering “Bird Watchin'”.
His voice, delivery and guitar playing get Neil Young-ish on the slow-paced “Linden Lane”. Pounding drums and slide guitar blend well on “Moonlight”. The guitar cacophony on “Cynical” is good noise. “If I Were King” is a Neil Young vocal and grunge guitar display that includes a soft piano moment. Piano again softens up the vibe on “Mother Lee”.
“December 1980” is about John Lennon’s assassination set against a beautiful churning guitar and slide guitar assault. Things slow down to a tender pace for “You Ain’t No Loving Woman” with ringing and haunting guitars. The specter of Neil Young once again about his horse “Pecos”. The guitar fest continues on “On My Way Down”. Things ride out on a slower and quieter pace with “Dovetail Joints”.
From intense to introspective an interesting listen is provided. Much like life you probably won’t like everything, but there are many enjoyable moments. If you are a fan of guitar pyrotechnics, you’ve come to the right place.
