| Row of Doors - Rick Devin | |
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Reviewed by Kathy Coleman
In the various marriages of one genre of music to another which have been rampant across the airwaves so much lately, Rick Devin has surely managed to discover one of the more unusual combination of sounds available to present with his new disc, Row of Doors.
The music on this disc doesn't seem to be really sure where it belongs. It creates an interesting new sound by combining a series of truly western themes and pure western lyrics with contemporary smooth jazz sounds. It's unusual; it's creative. It's certainly a good showcase for Devin's brilliant guitar playing. But I'm not sure if it's really country music. Still, it could certainly appeal to the right audience.
Devin is a very capable songsmith, writing most of the songs on this disc, including the title track "Row of Doors," "The Quilt," and "Spotted Eagle's Prayer" (which may arguably be one of the finest Native American folksongs I've heard in a while); He also does a few covers, both of which are startling with Devin's unusual style -- "Ghost Riders in the Sky" and "Night Rider's Lament." In the latter, Devin shows a nice skill for classic Western yodeling; however, the contemplative lyrics are delivered with a crisp, sharp-edged quality that seems strongly out of
place for the song.
This is a most unusual disc. Certainly Devin is an excellent guitar player, and a very good lyricist. It's a brand-new approach to a sound, certainly; where the tunes are not laid-back jazz or even big-band sounding tropical (showing a hint of Michael Nesmith influence, I'm thinking), they are more strongly reminiscent of some kinds of folk (notably mid-60's to 70's style, ala Jim Croce or Gordon Lightfoot). It's certainly not the cowboy or swing that one would expect from just looking at Devin's pictures; certainly not from the titles of the songs. "Mama, I'm a Cowboy" would be quite at home as a jazz number, despite the rodeo lingo. It's not an unpleasant shock, but it's a shock nonetheless.
Devin seems to be poised to make his place with other notable "we don't know what kind of music they sing, they just sing it" writer/performers, such as John Hiatt and John Prine. The live tracks that close the disc, "Shoebox Memories" and "Give It My Best," are the best pieces on the disc, showing Devin to also be one of those "better on stage than in studio" performers, but there's nothing really wrong with that. Being able to perform (you know, actually just play and sing) well live is a dying art. The live tracks have a vibrant spark that seems to be somewhat lacking in the studio tracks.
I'm not sure where I fall with Devin. I do like an unusual musician, and he is most certainly that. I've also demonstrated a fondness for songs around the "tropical campfire." So if you like to explore with your music a little bit, then by all means check him out. It may be he's just what
you're looking for.
Song List:
Album cover and sound clips courtesy of Red Cloud Records.