Fines, RickOut of the Living Room1998IndependentRAF002

Fines, Rick - Out of the Living Room - 1998 - Independent - RAF002

Written by John Taylor

Blues fans tend to be a clingy bunch. If an artist records a blues album early in his or her career, we tend to embrace them as "one of us." And with that, sadly, comes an expectation that he or she will remain firmly in the blue end of the spectrum for all time.

Perhaps it's simply that our music is marginal at best, and we're left with little choice but to be possessive and protective of it. But art knows no borders, and artists, to remain vital and interesting, must follow their own muse.

Rick Fines first made a name for himself as the leader of Peterborough's Jackson Delta Trio, who gleefully mixed covers of old blues standards with Rick's own period-perfect compositions over several delightfully old-timey outings. But since launching his solo career, he's refused to limit himself to 12-bar convention. And those whose tastes encompass more than the same-old-same-old are the better for it.

That's not to say that Fines has left the blues behind. It informs all his work, whether directly or indirectly. But there are equal measures of ragtime and folk in the mix - borders weren't as rigidly defined in the music's earlier years - with the result being a sound decidedly old-fashioned yet utterly timeless.

Fines has also established a reputation as one of Canada's finest finger-pickers. He's working here with the likes of bassist Alec Fraser (who helped produce the project), Willie P. Bennett (mandolin), and Chris Whiteley (trumpet). Old friends Rob Phillips (keys) and Alan Black are here, as is Rick's brother Matt (a fine guitarist in his own right) and the tragically underexposed Roly Platt on harmonica.

With talent like this, it comes as no surprise that performances are utterly impeccable, every note a polished gem. Unexpected, though, is the warm intimacy of the sound. Recorded over the course of three days in three different living rooms, it has the feel of an informal gathering of friends whose greatest joy is simply to make music together, as comfortable as an old couch and as comforting as a cozy blanket.

Rick wrote all but a handful of the tunes, his outlook usually a quirky take on life's follies and foibles. There's the sweetly cheerful My Baby Knows, the cautionary yet never preachy Careful What You Want, the quietly contemplative Where Birds Sing, and the wryly amusing Proud Papa. 2000 Miles Back Home is a tale many Canadians can identify with, a story of Fines' adventures while snowbound; the title track is a bit of a throwaway, but it rides a nice bluesy groove.

The melancholy Back In The Backwoods features a gorgeous melody enhanced by Phillips' homespun background vocals. Coffee One Cream sounds like something from the '30s, yet it's not the least bit dated. Fines' Howlin' Wolf-style growl is just right for the sardonic Same Boat, with it's air of almost claustrophobic menace. (Elsewhere, Fine's voice has just a slightly nasal warmth similar to James Taylor's).

Covers include Brownie McGhee's That's How I Feel and Mississippi John Hurt's Richland Woman Blues, both of which showcase Rick's excellent fretwork; also included is the Stones' No Expectations, given a dark, moody treatment to close the disc.

Few would choose to live in a monochromatic world; the colours of the rainbow add immeasurably to life's rich tapestry. Fines has chosen to broaden his palette beyond the blues, yet his music is so heartfelt, so sincere, I'd guess most blues fans would find much to like. Those who pass it by do so at their peril; Out Of The Living Room is an utter delight from beginning to end.

Highly recommended!

Copyright 2004. Review by John Taylor.

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