Rickey D Hayes – Story of the Blues
Self Released
https://hayesproductions.com/story-of-the-blues
11 songs, 44 minutes
Gary Moore was one of the pillars of Blues Rock. The Skid Row and Thin Lizzy guitarist blended British Blues, Stadium Rock, Heavy Metal and a real deal understanding of the Blues into a unique style. Cincinnati based multi-instrumentalist and musical renaissance man, Rickey D. Hayes has created a fitting tribute to Moore in his Story of the Blues. An album originally conceived of as a collaboration with his friend and vocal foil Dennis “Willie D” Williams, Story of the Blues grew into something else after Willie D’s untimely death after recording only one song. What emerged is a set of standard Blues fare given a Stadium Rock sheen that truly embodies Gary Moore’s hard rockin’ aesthetic.
Rickey D. Hayes is truly a musical Swiss army knife. He made his bones playing mandolin in The Gibson Brothers’ Bluegrass band. He has his own recording studio and production company; recording, mixing and mastering this album himself. Hayes makes all his own guitars, including all the ones he played on this record. Rickey played all the drums and bass as well and sings 2 tracks. Bob Kennedy provides the keyboards with Mike Johnson and the Cincinnati Horns punctuating the music with brass and wind. The bulk of the singing is done by Lizzie Swann who has a powerful upfront voice and delivery. Willie D’s posthumous performance is only on the final title track.
The material on Story of the Blues is pretty standard. “I Put a Spell on You” and “Fever” are well worn. “Walkin’ By Myself” gets an interesting interpretation as does “Looking Back.” The three Gary Moore tunes definitely stand out and snap with a different electricity: “Cold Day In Hell,” Cold Black Night,” and the title track.
What makes Story of the Blues unique is the Hair Metal lens that Hayes uses to interpret this music. Dedicating this album to Moore, Willie D and Eddie Van Halen, it’s not surprising that each of Hayes’ lead guitar performances crackle with Van Halen power. This is David Lee Roth Van Halen just to be clear. There is a fiery energy that makes one want to thrash their long hair back and forth, and in fact Hayes is pictured with very long hair that goes well down his back. This album is also mixed and mastered like one of those 80’s records. The sound is compressed and up front, in your face, making the listener “hot for teacher.”
Story of the Blues is not a quiet listen. It’s not a meditative Country Blues or Hill Country hypnotic boogie. It is music for a loud Summer BBQ volleyball tournament. If you like your Blues rocking and with well executed loud crunchy guitar, pummeling straight forward drums and soaring power vocals, this is for you.
