Message Board Archive: Thread Number 149

Just heard a couple of songs on the radio from a '97 release by a
"revivalist" named Gerry Ricks (?sp). Any info re: good cd to buy or
overall style appreciated.

Peter Anagnostos peterka@megsinet.net

Date: Sun, 17 Jan 1999 08:50:18 -0500 (EST)
From: wirz.hannover@t-online.de (Stefan Wirz)
Subject: Feedback: Philadelphia Jerry Ricks
Message Number: 149.1

Just have a look at
http://www.rounder.com/rounder/catalog/bylabel/rblu/2636/2636.html

Date: Sun, 17 Jan 1999 09:00:57 -0500 (EST)
From: zeppa@earthlink.net (Frank Basile)
Subject: Feedback: Jerry Ricks
Message Number: 149.2

I just saw Jerry at Acoustic Roots this past Friday. I guess
'revivalist' is as good a word as any to describe him... He certainly
does have his own touch, though and some strong opinions about blues as
a living art. Which is a good thing!
His show was a bit of a historical/geographical tour up the Mississippi
River and environs, with brief detours to Texas and North Carolina.
There was one tune in A - forgot the name, with some beautiful runs.
Ricks' left hand is curiously effortless... His takes on the playing of
Elizabeth Cotten and Mississippi John Hurt are particularly great. It
was a real pleasure to have had the opportunity to see him in such an
intimate setting: a small music store on a night when the specter of icy
roads kept many people at home. I wish, for his sake, that more people
had attended but having a small and attentive audience can be a real
plus sometimes.
You probably heard cuts from his latest CD "Deep In The Well", on
Rooster Records. Here's a url:
http://members.aol.com/msjuke/ricks.html
Hope this helps,
f

Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1999 10:21:21 -0500 (EST)
From: hclewman@mindspring.com (Harry Lewman)
Subject: Agree: Jerry Ricks
Message Number: 149.2.1

Just wanted to add that Jerry is a real plus to the acoustic blues
scene. He spent most of the '80s and '90s in Europe and in the Communist
bloc since he had a terrific booking agent who sent him all over the
Soviet world.

He does not trust most record companies and his CD is the first he has
ever done. He started playing in the late '60s!

When I was in Memphis last February at the Folk Alliance conference, he
was a most gracious good will ambassador for the city, making everyone
feel at home.

Date: Tue, 9 Mar 1999 18:29:12 -0500 (EST)
From: Owner-HyperNews@ComCAT.COM
Subject: Agree: Untitled
Message Number: 149.3

I am a personal friend of Jerry's and to say he is a gifted guitarist is
an understatment. Jerry is a wonderful person and a gifted teacher for
those of us who have had the good fortune to study with him. The country
blues guitar style that most people associate with Jerry is actually
just one of the many styles he has mastered through the years. Just ask
him and he will tell you about his childhood and listening to and
learning the songs of the old country and blugrass artists of the day.
If you ever have the oppurtunity to visit with Jerry ...do so ..he is
very inviting (although opinuated) and very willing to share his
knowledge of the the music and the life style from where the music
originated. He was friends with many of the so-called "old timers" and
learned first hand to play their styles. Check out his new CD. It's well
worth a listen, especially if your interested in the country blues
sound.

                                    Brian Anderson
                                    ander@shreve.net