Live Reviews
"Thanks for your great set - it was fab" (Sail Loft Folk Club Zoom Concert, Horndon on the Hill, Essex, UK).
"Thank you for a great evening, thanks also
for keeping music live." (Rita Mawson
-Consett Folk Club, Co. Durham, UK)
"Many thanks for yet another great evening at the club." (Brian
Cole -Bromley Folk Club, Kent, UK)
"A really gifted performer…who has an original and inventive touch…" (The
Who'd Have Thought It Folk Club, Devon, UK)
"Thanks for a wonderful set Rick." (Hoy
At Anchor Folk Club, Leigh On Sea, Essex, UK)
"Keep playing, singing and writing in style…" (Brian
Morgan, Songs'n'Tunes'n'Roots'n'Roll, Wye Valley Radio, UK).
"You really deserve so much credit for bringing your voice and music to
places so much in need of it. A real service to the community and all
those people whose lives you touch." (A Fan).
"Velvet voiced presenter of Radio Essex's folk programme and a fine singer/songwriter in his own right. This is Rick's
second appearance at the Sweeps and we are sure he will delight everyone with his sensitive songs."
(Rochester Sweeps Festival, Kent 1997).
“I just want to say a very big thank-you for your music during the last 18 months, and for all the effort you’ve put into creating
such a peaceful and happy atmosphere on Wednesday evenings at Bunjies. The very best of luck for the future-wherever you perform.
There is great emotional impact in your music, and exceptional sincerity, I think, in your style. Your songs deserve to gain every success”
(Bunjies Folk Cellar fan)
"Thanks for making Wednesday evening something special"Thanks for making Wednesday evening something special"
(Dagi at Bunjies Folk Cellar, 27 Litchfield Street, London).
"Can we book you again - we need some sunshine!" (The Somebody Cares Club, Maldon, Essex)
Album reviews
It's About Time
"If you need an advert for folk clubs, you
can't better this CD. Rick has played everywhere, from intimate folk
clubs in the south of England to transatlantic jets, and his warm voice,
thoughtful arrangements (the accompanists are hand-picked for each
song), sympathetic original material and inspired choice of cover songs
make for a very attractive release. I initially suppressed a groan on
noting the inclusion of such staples as 'City Of New Orleans' and 'The
Fields Of Athenry', but Rick's treatment reminds the listener of just
why they are much covered - they're good, thoughtful and memorable songs
and Rick breathes new life into them. He also obviously has a love for
vintage rock and roll - there is a cover of The Everly Brothers' 'Love
Hurts', very similar to their style, and his own 'What Goes Wrong' is
pitched midway between Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran; his version of The
Cascades' 1962 hit 'Rhythm Of The Rain' lends itself beautifully to
Rick's Americana treatment. " (Norman
Darwen - R2 Rock'n'Reel)
"It's About Time is an excellent CD."
(Doug Welch Radio - Kent Folk Show)
"Rick ensures his pick of standards (The Fields Of Athenry, Love Hurts)
benefit from the same emotional content as his tuneful originals
(Haunted By The Memory, The Things I Didn't Say)." (Keith Ames - The
Musician, UK)
"Rick has the kind of voice that can adapt to all manner of songs and
the choices here reflect that…Hellraisers And Trailblazers by Ross
Barlow is great. Rick's own compositions all reflecting life and the
trials and tribulations that beset us all at times. An enjoyable album
from a man and his friends, all of whom obviously enjoyed playing and
recording it." (Kathy & Bob Drage -
Around Kent Folk, UK).
" It's been a while since Rick has released an album so, for his fans,
the aptly entitled It's About Time will be very welcome. The striking
cover picture is of the wide American west which gives a strong clue to
the atmosphere of the music you will find on the CD, being mainly
Americana, both in arrangement and choice of material. Amongst the
thirteen songs, you will find familiar titles like City Of New Orleans,
Late Nite Radio, and Rhythm Of The Rain, alongside five of Rick's own,
well crafted compositions. The backing is provided by Rick's well picked
acoustic guitar and a small team of musicians and include harmonies,
banjo, bass, concertina, violin and cello, amongst others. The overall
feel is punctuated once by the more electric sound of the Buddy Holly
inspired What Goes Wrong (Rick's own), which rocks along. So if you've
seen Rick live and want to hear some more of his warm voice, then buy
this CD and imagine yourself cruising along in the American west, or
better still, make sure you have it with you to listen to if you find
yourself driving in Arizona for real." (John
Ward - EFN Essex Folk News).
Loose Association
"Twelve tracks of evergreen folk, country, and rock and roll…Great
stuff." (The
Musician, UK)
Looking For Signs
"Rick's second LP release a wiry, mature
set of songs that stand comparison with any named artist that you'd care
to mention." (Geoff Wall -Folk On Tap,
UK)
"This album has been a long time coming but has been well worth the
wait…my personal favourite is the hauntingly beautiful "Why Did You
Phone Me On Friday…" (Alan Glazer -Essex
Folk News, UK)
"Rick has delivered an album that should get him the acclaim and
interest he desires and deserves…" (Sean
McGhee Rock 'n' Reel, UK)
"Rick's songs bear a strong rural American influence in his portraits of
longings and loves lost and found…" (Stanley
Greenthal -Victory Music Review, USA)
"A very talented singer/songwriter…I've enjoyed listening to your
beautiful songs…" (Raymond Swennen -Radio
Atlantis, Belgium)
"Touching very real emotions and happenings in the game of love and
life…" (Carol Newman -KMUN Astoria,
Oregon, USA)
"I really enjoyed listening to your album and songs, they're
excellent." (Claire Hudson, Round Tower
Music)
"There's a gutsy dulcimer spin round a dance tune, St. Mary's Waltz, and
a lone gritty reading of Jean Ritchie's pop folk Black Waters which has
some redoubtable fiddling from one Mick Graves. A musician with poetry
high on his list of priorities…" (Simon
Jones -Folk Roots, UK)
The Open Road
"Superb!…I enjoyed this album immensely. The overall quality of the
recording is excellent."
(Dave Youngman - Essex Folk News, UK)
"The delivery is pretty faultless, and the required harmonies throughout
add to their attraction." (Rock 'n' Reel,
UK)
"These 3 performers have in-depth experience in various aspects of the
music business and have come up with a very professional album." (Rob
Scrase -Folkwrite, UK)