Rick Vito – Slidemaster
This new set gets off to a rollicking start with “Vegas Jump,” from Grammy-nominated guitarist Rick Vito, in this 12-track all-instrumental endeavor. Yeah, yeah, yeah, there are no vocals, so what? Use your imagination for a change & as a real sonic treat, use headphones, earbuds & close your eyes to let the slide guitar tell its story.
The accolades from famous musicians such as Bob Seger (where Rick soloed on his “Like a Rock” track), Steve Miller, John Mayall & Bonnie Raitt are all impressed by the bluesy slide guitar playing of Mr. Vito (guitars/acoustic & electric bass/keys/percussion). It’s a compilation of many of his finest performances & includes some classic stuff like Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green’s “Albatross,” & “Supernatural.” Sam Cooke’s classic “A Change Is Gonna Come,” & several other masterful takes.
The last time I enjoyed an all-guitar solo album (“88 Elmira Street”) was by the late Danny Gatton. I’m going to have to place this Rick Vito jewel beside that one. The wiry guitar playing has a strong sound presence & “voice” that’s exceptional throughout the self-produced Slidemaster (Dropped April 3/MoMojo Records/40:07).
A little more retro is “Red Hot Baby,” which, while not sounding like Duane Eddy or Lonnie Mack, has their commercial identity & vigor cruising along this exhilarating number. Followed by Peter Green’s lovely (almost Hawaiian in nature) instrumental “Albatross,” which was a minor hit during Green’s years with Fleetwood Mac. This type of guitar music, while a little of that Martin Denny exotica splashed through the notes, is full of images of blue skies, sandy beaches, calm water, & warm breezes with golden bodies like Annette Funicello.
Some creative guitar surfaces on “Slide the Blues,” & the tight inventive drum fills by Rick Reed preside over the melody with gratifying skill. His percussion never intrudes but frames the slide guitar luxuriously. It’s quite an impressive piece.
Guitar aficionados will definitely appreciate Rick’s playing approach on this showcase. From the wilder solos to the subtle, gentler touch of “A Change Is Gonna Come.” Sometimes it isn’t so much the “impressive” playing as how the picking & the sliding are applied to “create” a personality to the music that emanates from the player’s fingers. There are many good slide-guitar players, but it’s when they manage to spill some of their soul from the resonating strings that it perks up eyebrows. “River of Blues” is a proponent of that elegance.
Highlights – “Vegas Jump,” “The Big Beat,” “The Danger Zone,” “Red Hot Baby,” “Albatross,” “Slide the Blues,” “A Change Is Gonna Come,” & “River of Blues.”
Musicians – Rick Reed, Lynn Williams & Chares Johnson (drums), Charlie Harrison (electric bass), Mark Horwitz & Kevin McKendree (organ).
Cover photo by Hub Wilson. Color image courtesy of Rick’s Bandcamp. CD @ Bandcamp & Apple + https://www.rickvito.com/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: At Mick Fleetwood’s Tribute To Peter Green, Rick Vito Had The Best Spot