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| Rick Ruskin "Words Fail Me": Independent Review
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Rick Ruskin
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Review of "Words Fail Me"
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By: Mark O`Donnell
ick Ruskin, like Fahey, Lang, and Kottke, is a skilled acoustic guitarist
who writes his own tunes. The difference, however, is the application of a
singular style and viewpoint developed over decades. One of the approaches
that distinguishes Ruskin from his colleagues is his defining use of the
bass, which, on several of the tunes contained herein, provides a
significant accompaniment to the treble melody. This bass accompaniment can
be found on Model Railroad, and Glass Guitar" as well as on Hey There,
Baby. Many of these songs evidence a pleasing, jaunty feel with low-key
funky basslines that keep the melodies moving. Lullaby, by contrast, is as
the name implies a soft, lilting, hummable tune perfect to sending a child
off to sleep. Ruskin has quite a nice way with a melody, as is most readily
apparent on Art By Accident, where the treble lines and accompanying bass
complement each other and provide a memorable balance. Satchel, too, is a
great, catchy tune which again employs a great funky bassline, as well as
some nicely underplayed drumming/fingersnapping. Some of the tunes are
almost like old friends---there being something familiar in the tune;
Gratitude and Places To Hide come to mind here. Ironically, given the album
title, implying an all-instrumental effort, there are two songs with
Ruskin's heartfelt vocal accompaniment. These also happen to be the only
two tunes with other instrumentation and, frankly, neither works well. The
break in instrumentation only serves to jar the mood created by the
intimate recording of the unaccompanied acoustic guitar on the other songs.
Despite Ruskin's pleasant voice, as in Words Fail Me, ultimately, the songs
do not work in the overall context of the album. Still twelve out of
fourteen is not bad. Rick Ruskin is one of those artists with subtlety and
skill who deserve a much wider audience. One can only hope that NPR or the
like will find this recording and give it a national airing. Ruskin
deserves to be heard, as does this well-recorded and generally quite
intimate recording.
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©
Mark O`Donnell / Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange
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