Rik delivers the goods
Sean Pearson | Upstate NY United States | 03/12/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I think Rik went back to the woodshed for this one - specifically, a shed built in the 1970s. Many of these tunes have a very 70s flavor in their arrangement, and there's a lot of soul here:"Unconditional Love" - Fun uptempo track to start this album, complete w/ mariachi background and a trumpet solo
"Butterfly Lullaby" - Jazzy guitar and a cyclic progression, with a sweet flute playing the fills and solos, make this song both light and catchy, much like a 70s folk tune played by top jazz musicians; you'll find yourself humming the chorus a few hours later
"Only A Fool" - Reminiscent of the songs on "The Spiral Notebook", the lyrics will make you listen and think while the music carries you along. Another catchy song, you'll be humming along by the second chorus.
"Wicked Miss" - Contains the great lyric "Happy ever after is just one more charming lie" amidst a lot of great lyrics over a Billy Joel-style keyboard and jazz guitar. But what really lights up this song, even with the great lyrics and beautiful chords, is the flugelhorn part. If the arrangement didn't already proclaim "1970s!", that horn takes me back to my childhood - and the lyrics remind me of the bitterness which comes with being an adult.
"Beacon Street Hotel" - Lifted from the songwriting style dominant on "Swing Shift", this song is Rik's story about a hotel he remembers from his younger days. It's a nice jazzy piece, gentle yet with Rik's smirk evident in the lyrics and vocal delivery.
"Way Back Home" - Featuring his daughter Shannon on flute, and playing beautifully. This one takes you back to the "Absolutely"/"Ipso Facto" recordings; the halftime progression in the chorus is classic Rik. Great stuff.
"Moment Of Truth" - Rik takes a turn writing a Country tune. Slide guitar. Soulful singing, personal lyrics. Yep, you gotta admire his spirit. Probably my least favorite track here.
"Break Away" - Rik excels at the personal inspirational songs and this is another great uptempo addition to his classics, with a bridge progression that gives me chills.
"Ask" - Slower, very soulful song. It's a nice piece but not especially memorable. But you gotta put it in context - on anyone else's recording, this would be a standout track; here, it's just a nice piece.
"Spare Change" - Strong adult contemporary song, the kind that sounds good when the summer's just getting started and you open your car windows for the first time in months. Upbeat, strong major progression. A feel-good piece.
"True Hearts" - Rik finds his Celtic roots in this jig with rock sensibility! The chorus is an automatic drinking song, and you'll end this tune with a big grin plastered on your face. It's a great piece to end the album, very inspirational and dynamic.This is the kind of songwriting I love to hear from Rik. He doesn't cut loose with a lot of rock, blues, or classical runs, and even the jazzy playing is more subdued than the last few releases. But the writing is strong and his delivery is 100% solid. This may his best album yet, and that's saying a lot for a guy whose decades of great recordings set a standard few other musicians can match. Add this one to your collection!"
Stunning album
Sean Pearson | 01/23/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is Rik Emmett's greatest solo album so far. The guitar playing is fantastic (as always) and all the songs of the highest quality. This is one of the best albums I've heard in recent years. If you like melodic, intelligent rock music of the highest quality, then look no further!"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1