Cowboy music with a modern sound!
author: O. J. Sikes, The Western Way Magazine
Rick Devin has been exposed to many musical influences, and this is reflected in his work. His new CD, Row of Doors, is principally a cowboy album, containing 11 of his originals among the 14 songs. He combines cowboy standards with new material, and gives his music a modern sound with heavy percussion on most selections. He's been a musician for quite awhile, spending most of the past 7 years working with Michael Martin Murphey. O.J. Sikes - The Western Way Magazine AND Rope Burns Magazine.
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CD Review: Country Music Guide
author: 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 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.
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.
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).
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 among the best pieces on the disc.
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.
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Beautiful !!
author: Gianluca Sitta, BCMA News
Row Of Doors, “Beautiful voice, very cowboy, emotional arrangements.” Gianluca Sitta, BCMA News, Milano, Italy
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Great!
author: Don LeClere
Howdy Cowboy. Got your CD this week and just as we thought we love it. You really did a GREAT job, not that I expected anything less....It was really great seeing you while you were here in the U.S. on your Fall Tour. Happy trails, Don LeClere, Denver, CO
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