"Bohemian Life" is Richard Ray Farrell's fifth, and first American recorded and produced, release, the others having been recorded in Europe, where he has been based since 1974. To celebrate this, Farrell (guitar,harp,vocals) has surounded himself with some of the finest musicians on the blues scene today, the band featuring Steve Gomes (bass), Robb Stupka (drums), Bill Heid (piano), Benjie Porecki (Hammond organ) and Jerry Portnoy (harp).
The set opens with Portnoy's harp leading the band into a classic Chi-Town shuffle, "Fine Little Number", fine ensemble playing allied to Farrell's unpretentious vocals, lending the number a strong Jimmy Rogers feel that is recreated on "Mean Case Of The Blues". Portnoy is again in outstanding form as his harp warbles behind Farrell's Delta styled guitar and vocals on "Blues All In My Home", a number that is fashioned on Muddy's Plantation' recordings.
"Bad Intention" is a brooding blues with feral Elmore styled slide and cascading piano from Bill Heid; Farrell's slide going into "fuzzed out" mode on "Jealous Man", where his droning vocals and Gomes' pulsing bass lines enhance the Hound Dog feel that permeates this blues.
Farrell is not confined to Chicago blues, displaying his dexterity with some fine finger-picking on the bouncing Piedmont styled "Oh Sunny Day" and the laid back "The Hard Road"; melding soul and C&W on"Natch'l Man", with it's haunting harp (Farrell) and tantalizing piano fills by Porecki's lingering Hammond; whilst his smooth vocals and Porecki's jazz inflected Hammond ride the relaxed swing the band generates on "My Heart Beats Just For You".
Whilst listening to this set, I was reminded of Billy Flynn, a feeling that was perpetuated when I heard "Jitterboppin'", a surf styled number, with shimmering guitar, reminiscent of the instrumentals that Flynn loves playing so much; and I can pay Farrell no higher compliment than to make that comparison about a set that will appeal to blues lovers of all persuasions.
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16 tracks, 54 minutes. Excellent. Of the hundreds and hundreds of CD's that are released by independent blues artists and bands here in the US each year, many are solid works deserving much wider recognition. Of the countless discs that landed here in the past six months, Bohemian Life by Richard Ray Farrell stands near the top of the list. Aided by a tight and recognized band consisting of Steve Gomes and Robb Stupka anchoring the grooves, Bill Heid delivers piano and Benjie Porecki adds swelling organ, giving Farrell plenty of room for his greasy harp and stinging guitar, and as muscular as his playing is, his voice works as an incredible weapon. Influences are evident throughout the disc's sixteen cuts, but with everything penned by Farrell, the originality stands out. Jerry Portnoy offers his stellar harp to Fine Little Number, Blues All In My Home and Mean Case Of The Blues, but Farrell's own playing and singing make this work. From his Muddy-infused Bad Intentions with buzzing slide to the New Orleans flavored School Of Hard Knocks, or the Guitar Gable crunch in Jitterboppin' - all cylinders click making this a focused and gripping effort. Jealous Man is a lowdown acoustic piece with brilliant lyrics and Oh Sunny Day contains deft fingerpicking recalling Mississippi John Hurt, both of these adding a nice twist to this set of mostly-amplified blues. Get a taste of the Bohemian Life.
Craig Ruskey
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There has been a great surprise to listen to this excellent CD recorded by Richard Ray Farrell, a singer and guitar player born in Niagara Falls, N.Y. forty-nine years ago and who has been living in Spain for some time. As the CD title says, Richard has always been a bohemian, a tireless traveller who has visited half Europe and after some years staying here and there, has finally decided to come back to the United States and try to get the reputation he really deserves. Specialized media and popular blues artists have spoken wonderfully about him as an excellent singer and musician. For this CD Richard Ray has a very special guest, Jerry Portnoy, who performs harp on three tunes, and the contribution of Benjie Porecki on organ and Steve Gomes on bass. Sixteen Farrell's original tunes that will certainly surprise listeners and delight all blues fans. GREAT.
Vicente Zumel "La Hora Del Blues" - Radio Barcelona, Spain
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Bohemian Life (Blue Beet 100001) is a dazzling demonstration of writing and performing skill. The 16 originals display tasty harmonica and guitar, no-jive singing and range: "Cold Heart" hits with a martial drum pattern and crisply staccato guitar lines, "Bad Intentions"
is pure Muddy Waters, "Blues All In My Home" could be Brownie McGhee & Sonny Terry (that's Jerry Portnoy on harp),
and "Mean Case Of The Blues" and "Fine Little Number" are Chicago-style blues. "My Heart Beats Just For You" is a cool shuffle driven by Benjie Porecki's organ and Robb Stupka's drums (most of the Severn house band is here, with Bill Heid on piano). Pop-blues? "Natchl Man". Deep soul? "I Was Wrong." Garage surf? "Jitterboppin'." Spare, minor-key coctail blues? "Lawfully Wedded Wife." Outstanding.
      Tom Hyslop, Blues Revue Magazine
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