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Final mastering and CD prep by The Gate Music Services, Berkeley, CA
Produced, recorded and mixed to digital audio tape by Rick Harper
Tracks 2, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23 premastered by Phil Cohen at Phil Cohen Recording, Bay Harbor Island, FL
Tracks 2, 15, 18, 19 originally issued on Demo Teasers (cassette) 1991
Track 3 Jangleband. Rick Harper: vocals, bass, acoustic guitar, harmonicas, tambourine. Ken Gimmer: electric guitar. Don Lubitz: piano. Tom Staley: drums.
Tracks 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 24 originally issued on Boat Drill; Demo Teasers 2 (cassette) 1994
Tracks 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 17, 20 originally issued on Ca$h Poor; Demo Teasers 3 (cassette) 1996
Track 21 Breathers. Rick Harper: vocals, bass, acoustic & electric guitars, bass harmonica, tambourine, bells. Erich Overhultz: Casio organ. Bob Zohn: harmony vocal. Tom Staley: drums. Bill Lloyd: electric 12-string guitar.
Track 22 Breathers. Rick Harper: vocal, bass, acoustic guitar, bass. harmonica. Hoze Fleming: electric guitar. Erich Overhultz: organ, piano. Tom Staley: drums.
Track 23 Breathers. Rick Harper: vocals, acoustic & electric basses; acoustic guitar, percussion. Erich Overhultz: piano, clavinet, Farfisa organ. Bob Zohn: electric guitar. Tom Staley: drums
User Album Review
Equipment: Tascam 424 Teac C-3X Furman RV-3, Shure SX-50 mic, Korg S3.
Rick's song, "Every Night I Hold You" was recorded on a 4-track while he was gigging on board a cruise ship. He's done a very nice job. This is another great example of what can be done with a 4-track, and in this case, I assume in a less-than-perfect recording environment. Have you ever seen a cabin on a cruise ship? They're usually tiny and not exactly designed for great acoustics. For those of you listening on Playback, check out the bass and drums. Nice and punchy. The acoustic guitar doesn't sound amazing, but it's certainly good. The mandolin is right where it should be and the harmonica sound is surprisingly good. Rick asked me in his cover letter for any constructive advice that I might give him. Only one thought: Whatever Rick's doing is exactly what he should be doing. My only advice would be to move up to more tracks and keep up the good work. Summary: All things considered, this is a "10".
A lot of things have been said about Rick Harper's music in reviews over the last two decades. Not all of it has been accurate. To appreciate Rick's music, you must first find the girl of your dreams, touch her, exchange testaments of love, plan the next thousand years together...
Then you must lose it all. You must know what it is to be alone, to have Nothing! as Lord Buckley would say. Rick knows the pangs of unrequited love. He also knows how to record some great music.
Starting his recording career in the 1970's, Rick has played with the likes of Jerry Reed, Micky Clark, Kris Kristofferson and Billy Swan. In South Florida in 1981, he formed The Breathers and, in 1983 their lp The Sunshine Rockers was critically acclaimed. Rick was already being singled out as a songwriter to watch. A decade and a half later, this CD shows the continuing distillation and refinement of his music.
"Coffee Table" begins the musical maelstrom on Rickenharper with ringing Byrds-esque guitars. From there the CD barrels through many should-be pop classics, like the sweet and mournful "Every Night I Hold You," "I Bring Her Down," and the local classic, "Stumble Inn," co-written with Tim Krekel of country music songwriting fame. "Almost Forty" is a must-listen, a cogent, sensitive piece.
The mood shifts with "Brand New Favorite Song," a happy romp reminding us of gems still within reach. "RFFR MN" takes a great hip turn as well...
Rick Harper has been sitting in tiny rooms for too long recording songs that should be on all-day radio. He has honed his craft and now offers up this CD. With luck, the music industry will begin to reward him for his monomaniacal dedication to love and music.
-R. L. Penick, Chance Magazine
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