Randy Lee Riviere – Blues Sky
Old world country with a modern edge & textures of Johnny Bond (“Hot Rod Lincoln,” “X-15”). The guitars bite & the groove is steady & well-chiseled. The music is rooted in blues/rock & recorded in Franklin, TN. Riviere (guitars/vocals) is more narrator than singer on “America Redoubt,” & that’s the gist of the drive in this jaunty tune. The second track continues in a vibrato mesh but this time it’s a saucy J.J. Cale swagger in “You’re So Kind.” I like this guy. He sounds like other things but isn’t. He takes some old tricks from the ’60s recording studios & refurbishes it to sound fresh for today’s ears.
But it’s his voice that has a danger zone in the more piercing songs that see-saw on country grunge. His showcase does indeed feature some beautiful songs – the soulful “Cold, Cold River.” The tune is excellent with the honey-dripping backup vocals of the McCrary Sisters. Other tunes veer more closely to Steve Earle with a Johnny Paycheck attitude.
Well-produced by Grammy-winner Kevin McKendree (guitars/keys/vocals) the 11-cut 39-minute journey through Riviere’s territory is as daunting as walking open-toe sandals on a rattlesnake trail. Blues Sky (Dropped Oct 20–New Wilderness Records) provides good performances throughout. Some will go down like a martini & others will be more whiskey with a beer chaser.
Highlights – “America Redoubt,” “You’re So Kind,” “Do or Don’t,” “Spit Shine,” “Just One More Time,” “Old Country’s Son,” “What Do You Know About Pain?” & “Cold, Cold River.”
Musicians – Kenneth Belvins (drums), David Santos (bass), Ann, Regina & Freda McCrary (vocals).
Nice die-cut laminated CD package. B&W image courtesy of Randy’s Facebook. CD @ Amazon & https://www.randyleeriviere.com/
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