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| Richard Bennett; New note | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Sunday, 10. July 2011, 18:39 (4,104 Views) | |
| qjamesfloyd | Sunday, 10. July 2011, 18:39 Post #1 |
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Richard Bennett only seems to post an update on his site when the seasons change :P Anyway, here is a little part of what he has written, Its the part about recording with Mark: Just returned from a fantastic couple weeks of recording with Mark Knopfler in London at his brilliant British Grove Studios and as expected, the songs are great. I've always felt Mark's songwriting was overshadowed by his guitar-god status. He certainly is a genius guitar player, but his songwriting is staggeringly good to me and is what comes first. We recorded a whole bunch of them in two weeks, getting through them in the least amount of time I can ever recall. The musicianship from every corner of the studio was seriously top drawer capped off by MK's guitar-god thing. It's easy to play when you have great songs. I'm a lucky guy to be part of it, to go to London and record in what has to be the finest studio I've ever been in my 40+ years of playing on records, surrounded by the finest engineer, musicians and friends. At the end of each day we'd wander to the pub for a few pints, many bags of crisps and loads of laughs. That was usually followed with a memorable meal...Thai, Indian, Vietnamese, Italian, fish and chips or a darn fine burger from GBK, the Gourmet Burger Kitchen. |
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"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy" Mark Knopfler. | |
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| suprlinda | Monday, 1. October 2012, 15:44 Post #2 |
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Good morning, James. I noticed you had added the Band Member Topics under Dire Straits, calling out John, Guy, and David, and now Pick Withers. But how about doing that here on Mark's site? Maybe Guy should be here also and add Richard Bennett as separate topics? Richard will be running another tour diary just as Guy does, and maybe this area will be a good place to discuss those things. When I posted this originally, I forgot to mention that Richard has mentioned he is currently working on a new album. Not sure how far along he is with it - this touring business sure screws up recording! What do you think? :unsure: Maybe I should have put this query under the Suggestions topic? |
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| qjamesfloyd | Tuesday, 2. October 2012, 08:16 Post #3 |
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Hi Linda, I was unsure weather or not to give Richard Bennet his own forum, but I guess as he has made a few of his own solo records, and writes a tour diary, and as you say is making a new album, I guess he should have his own forum :) I put the Guy Fletcher forum in the DS members section because he was originally a Dire Straits member, before being a MK solo member. |
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"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy" Mark Knopfler. | |
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| qjamesfloyd | Tuesday, 2. October 2012, 08:21 Post #4 |
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Actually Linda, I have had a rethink about what I just posted, maybe it would be better, to have members who were only in Dire Straits, in the DS member list, and as Guy is a full and active member of Mark's solo band, he should be in that section :waytogo: |
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"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy" Mark Knopfler. | |
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| suprlinda | Wednesday, 3. October 2012, 05:41 Post #5 |
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That's great, James. I thought so, too, but you are our head guru, so I'm glad we are in the same groove. I forgot to mention before, but if I remember correctly, I believe Guy also has a new album he is working on. It has been a while since he mentioned it, but for some reason, it comes to mind that he mentioned this year. Of course, with Mr. Bob, that target date probably has changed. |
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| 3Strats | Wednesday, 3. October 2012, 20:50 Post #6 |
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I'll just drop a note in here to say that Richard's rhythm playing just blows me away, whether its his metronomic acoustic strumming on guitar or bouzouki or the tasty one stroke to the bar tremolo chords. I wasn't too taken with his first 2 albums, (particularly the Jazz one) but I like what I've heard of Valley of the Sun. When I started playing I just used to strum chords while my brother played lead, and listening to Richard made me realise just how bad I used to be! My wife was quite taken with him on the last tour when she described him as looking "like a little old bloke (man) with a beard throwing rock poses"! She actually thought he was cool. :dielol: |
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When you point your finger 'cause your plan fell through, You've got 3 more fingers pointing back at you. I reserve the right to change my opinion at a moment's notice - Why should it just be a woman's prerogative? | |
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| suprlinda | Wednesday, 3. October 2012, 22:07 Post #7 |
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Yeah, 3Strats, I fealt the same way about Richard's albums when I listened to those about 15 seconds of the songs on his site. I asked for and received Valley of the Sun for Christmas. It is really fantastic. :yay: However, since then they have been playing some of the songs from the second album, Code Red Cloud Nine on Private Investigations radio. After listening to those songs, I revised my opinion about the first two albums, which I think are more jazz oriented than Valley. I think I could get into them now, whereas I couldn't from those 15 second snippets. I don't recall if you have ever mentioned whether you have either of the Roadrunning albums with Emmy Lou Harris, All the Roadrunning and Real Live Roadrunning CD/DVD? There is one song on both the ATR and the RLR DVD (only) where I think you would really like Richard's playing. The song is I Dug Up a Diamond. It is a fantastic showcase of both Mark's and Richard's talents as master guitar players. The outro is what I would call almost a counterpoint duet. Kind of reminiscent of some of his work with Chet. And yes, on that DVD, Richard does throw some of those rock poses! Especially where he is playing lead guitar for Emmy Lou's songs. (I think he was her guitartist on her albums with them, or at least some of them.) I think his style is somewhat different than Mark's but the influence seems to be there, and they sure blend well together. |
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| suprlinda | Friday, 5. October 2012, 15:39 Post #8 |
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Just a bit of information. This morning I see that Richard has his 'Notes of the Road' up and running. He did mention where they had the production rehearsal - in a very surprising, in some ways, place, it seemed to me. Logistically, it made sense, but I was surprised the town had a facility they could use for the rehearsal. (I have been there a bit.) It seems Mr. Bob and band had been there for several days, so I am sure that is why they ended up where they did. |
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| qjamesfloyd | Tuesday, 9. October 2012, 07:57 Post #9 |
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I can see why Mark choose Richard as his rhythm section for his solo career, he can play many string instruments, and is a more than capable guitarist. Plus, Richard has said in interviews he think's Mark is one the greatest living songwriters :) I have not heard Richard's albums yet, but I hope to get them some time soon. I do like the guitar duet on the Real RoadRunning live DVD, great to see both men with Les Pauls, playing a melodic guet :) |
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"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy" Mark Knopfler. | |
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| qjamesfloyd | Monday, 5. November 2012, 15:01 Post #10 |
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Is it just me? or has anyone else noticed that Richard seems to know someone in every city they visit on this tour,lol. Some he hasn't seen in many years. It's like he's doing a friends re-united tour :) |
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"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy" Mark Knopfler. | |
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| suprlinda | Tuesday, 6. November 2012, 17:03 Post #11 |
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I had much the same thought! Both about this tour and the Get Lucky tour. I think the music business, or the portion that Richard inhabits, is kind of like a private club! I suspect that since they are visiting some different cities this time, those old friends and acquaintances come out of the woodwork when they hear Mark and crew will be coming to their town, because I got the idea Richard had lost track of some of these people. |
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| qjamesfloyd | Tuesday, 6. November 2012, 17:45 Post #12 |
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Yes, he must have, I bet he could write an interesting book about his time in the music industry. Something I hope Guy Fletcher is going to do one day, as he has hinted it :) |
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"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy" Mark Knopfler. | |
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| ElinaFinn | Tuesday, 6. November 2012, 21:49 Post #13 |
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Yes, it would be great if Guy wrote a book! I just love his style of writing and I admire the language he uses. He is perceptive, witty and laconic...and funny! :) |
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| suprlinda | Sunday, 11. November 2012, 05:43 Post #14 |
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I noticed in Richard's diary this morning that he mentioned he is working on what sounds like the last two songs for his new album. He mentions that when they are done touring, he will be recording them for the album which he believes will be available in the spring. :waytogo: |
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| qjamesfloyd | Tuesday, 13. November 2012, 08:08 Post #15 |
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I really must get around to buying Richard's albums, he is a fine player, and Mark seems to like his albums, should be worth checking out :) |
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"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy" Mark Knopfler. | |
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| suprlinda | Tuesday, 13. November 2012, 15:17 Post #16 |
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I was most happy to first hear Richard on Private Investigations radio. They first started playing his most recent album, Valley of the Sun, which I got for Christmas last year. Now, they are also playing his previous album, Code Red, Cloud Nine. It is a very cool, smooth, jazz album, reminiscent of Django Reinhardt of the '30s. Richard has written some excellent songs, and as you say, they are also played beautifully. Of course, if you are interested, you have to buy from him, just like with Guy, since they are both self-distributing. If you aren't into jazz, they are actually a good way of easing into it. No improvisational or weird about it. |
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| qjamesfloyd | Wednesday, 14. November 2012, 08:27 Post #17 |
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Thanks for that info Linda, I am not into jazz, but I have found over the years, that my tastes are similar to Mark, and I have found Chet Atkins and Mary Chapin Carpenter through him. So, I will get Richard's albums, I have heard the tracks from Django on the Metroland album, and I like them too. I have only just started listening to Private Investigations radio, but they have some great stuff on there :) |
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"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy" Mark Knopfler. | |
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| suprlinda | Wednesday, 14. November 2012, 12:24 Post #18 |
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QJF, One thing I have found on the PI radio, the non-Mark material they play tends to be played at certain time slots during the day and certain days of the week. There are several different configurations, also. The first one I will mention is a combination of David Knopfler (don't know which albums), John Illsley's Never Told a Soul or Glass albums, Guy's Inamorata or maybe Stone albums, and also Richard's Code Red, Cloud Nine. Another configuration will be John's Streets of Heaven, Guy's Natural Selection, Richard's Valley of the Sun, and sometimes the Blues Club's Rollin' and Tumblin'. All of the songs are randomized between artists, but I have noticed they must be in some sort of pre-programmed order - a chunk of about an hour or two hours - and the songs always follow the same order each time they are played. Also, I can't say for certain that every song on an album will be played, either. I can't even recommend what time to try and listen to hear these songs. I know some days it will be around 2 p.m. your time (7 a.m. here), other days my 11 a.m. (your 6 p.m.), and I have also heard them about 6 or 6:30 p.m. my time (probably about 1 or 1:30 a.m. for you). And I don't know which week days correspond to those time slots, either. Hopefully, this is helpful to you. :) |
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| qjamesfloyd | Wednesday, 14. November 2012, 19:05 Post #19 |
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Thanks Linda, that is helpful, I've checked out the PI website, and it does have a daily schedule, so, I can see what's coming up :) |
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"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy" Mark Knopfler. | |
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| suprlinda | Saturday, 17. November 2012, 16:48 Post #20 |
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This is down a different Richard Bennett road than the one we have been traveling, but I have been wanting to ask whether anyone has any insight as to why on some of Mark's band introductions, he introduces Richard, then says, "Fearless, fearless?" I wondered if it referred to anything specific or whether it was more of a case that Richard was game to try anything? :huh: |
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| Hophead | Saturday, 17. November 2012, 17:12 Post #21 |
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Probably just stating that Richard will do anything..in reference to his long-standing pun..."somebody could actually get hurt on this one". Time for some new material <_< |
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| qjamesfloyd | Sunday, 18. November 2012, 08:58 Post #22 |
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Lol, that's just Mark :) he also used to introduce Richard as the best in the west. On the A Night In London DVD, Mark introduces Richard: "The most fearless guitar player in America, Richard Bennett" |
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"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy" Mark Knopfler. | |
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| suprlinda | Friday, 7. December 2012, 14:41 Post #23 |
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I noticed this morning that Richard had put up a new post on his Notes from Nashville. In it he mentions that he will be heading into the studio to record what he believes will be the last two songs for the new album. His plan is to have it out in April, I'm assuming before the first concert of the European tour on the 25th. Oh, by the way, the song that made me think to inquire about 'fearless' - on the band intro, Mark says something about Richard being the best in the west, then, the 'fearless, fearless.' (Maybe it has to do with some of the band's libations? l I have been trying to think of some way to use this new emoticon, since I haven't joined the pub crew, at least not yet! :P ) |
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| qjamesfloyd | Monday, 10. December 2012, 08:04 Post #24 |
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Good use of our new drinking buddy Linda l Yes, good to see Richard doesn't rest for long. Also, he mentions A Prairie Home Companion, have you heard Mark's song Next Time I'm In Town from that show, I downloaded it from iTunes, It's got Mark, Chet, Emmylou and Garrison Keillor on it :) There have been a number of versions of that song now, It's almost a country classic. |
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"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy" Mark Knopfler. | |
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| suprlinda | Monday, 10. December 2012, 14:56 Post #25 |
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Yes, I'm familiar with A Prairie Home Companion, although I didn't listen to it or even go to the studio to see it. Garrison Keillor's home for many years was the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minneosta, so when I lived there, he was a home town boy. I think he has moved elsewhere, now, but for many years the St. Paul studio of Minnesota Public Radio was home to APHC. I didn't realize that Emmy Lou and Chet were on that program. I've heard two tunes that Mark did with Garrison there, PI radio plays them periodically. I have never heard the whole show, just those two tunes. At the moment, I can't think what the other one was. For some reason, I think that appearance of Mark's was maybe a promo for an album. :unsure: What I have always found interesting is that after Mark did it for Chet for the album, Chet and Johnny Cash both used it to end their live performances. I guess it struck a chord with both of them. :) |
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| qjamesfloyd | Monday, 10. December 2012, 18:35 Post #26 |
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Yes, I am sure Mark was very honored that the great Mr Cash played his song live :) do you happen to know if that live version is available on a CD anywhere? |
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"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy" Mark Knopfler. | |
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| suprlinda | Monday, 10. December 2012, 19:19 Post #27 |
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I googled JC's Next Time I'm in Town, and this is what I found from last.fm: Johnny Cash – The Next Time I'm in Town – Listening & stats at Last ... Info Johnny Cash Next Time I'm in Town Johnny Cash – Next Time I'm in Town appears on the album American Outtakes. Johnny Cash, born J.R. Cash, (February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) ... Other than that, there appear to be three UTube live clips, all done in 1994. I would guess a live version was never recorded to CD, unless it is a live version on the American Outtakes album. |
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| qjamesfloyd | Tuesday, 11. December 2012, 11:43 Post #28 |
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Thanks Linda, I did some more digging myself, it seems that Johnny Cash album is not an official release, so I can't get the track from the like of iTunes etc. which is a shame, but hopefully one day it will be available, there have been a lot of his out take albums released. |
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"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy" Mark Knopfler. | |
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| suprlinda | Sunday, 16. December 2012, 13:08 Post #29 |
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I thought I would add to the "New Notes" on Richard we have going here. I think we kind of got side tracked over on the "Best Guitarist" thread with some things that probably should be here, so I will add some more notes that go along with that conversation here, instead. I went back to Richard's website, as I thought I remembered a few good intereviews and articles to be found there that seem to have some bearing on our discussion of guitarists. We were discussing the fact that Richard isn't a flashy player, but was definitely a great rhythm player. I think this first artle gives some insight on the issue of flash. It was done in 2004 and appeared in the Tennesseean, just after Richard's first album Themes From A Rainy Decade came out. The start of the article goes like this: Known for guitar solos, Bennett goes solo for a change by Peter Cooper, Staff Writer Richard Bennett worked for decades to make sure nobody knew who he was. That's not to say he didn't make a name and reputation for himself. It's just that the name could signify so many different things that it ended up signifying little in particular. "Richard Bennett" was the guy playing buttoned-down Los Angeles sessions with Peggy Lee. "Richard Bennett" was Neil Diamond's lead guitarist, and the guy who co-wrote Forever in Blue Jeans. His guitar work was the low, rumbling twang on Steve Earle's Guitar Town, or it was the choogling acoustic rhythm on Rodney Crowell's Stars on the Water, or it was a thousand other things on a thousand other stages and sessions. Richard Bennett was (and is) an integral part of Mark Knopfler's band. "It's a bit like musical whiplash, and I never myself knew who I was," said Bennett, sitting in the basement music room of his Nashville home, amidst gorgeous old guitars and ancient albums that are played too often to grow dusty. "As a studio player, you take pride in being a jack of all trades. I think I've only recently come to shake hands with who I really am, and this new Themes From a Rainy Decade album (Bennett's first solo release) is the first time I've been able to show that to other people." Which begs the question: "Who, then, are you, Mr. Bennett?" Here is a link to the whole article: Themes The second article was done in 2005 by Guitar One Magazine. Here is a bit of the article I thought was revealing about Richard and Mark. Interestingly, the road from jack-of-all-trades to country specialist was quite natural for the guitarist. "Some of my earliest musical memories are of hillbilly music," he says. "It's always been some of my favorite music. When I moved to Nashville in the '80s, the people there hadn't quite come out of country, so they thought I sort of reinvented white bread!" Guitarists known particularly for their picking - Mark Knopfler, Marty Stuart, Vince Gill, and Duane Eddy - regularly call Bennett to enhance their creations. When he first began working with Knopfler, Bennett remembers asking, "What am I going to bring to this party?" But he quickly found the answer: "It's Mark's spotlight, but there is some pretty creative second-banana-ing going on, too. Sometimes it's only adding rhythm guitar, but that's my favorite thing to do." Here is the complete article: Guitar One The third article is from Guitar Player Magazine, and came out after Richard's third album, Valley of the Sun, was released. Here is its link: Guitar Player I thought each of these articles gave insight in Richard's playing and attitude. :rockon: |
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| 3Pints | Monday, 17. December 2012, 05:08 Post #30 |
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Thank you so much for these links, Suprlinda!! I've just spent a very pleasant half hour reading each of these articles about Richard, as well as a few others on-line. I already knew a fair bit about his musical history as I have quite a few of the albums he's played on for other people over the years, but I still found it very interesting indeed to hear his own comments and reflections on a career in music. |
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Cheers, 3Pints "It’s a quiet life from here on in, You’ve dropped your poisoned cup The telephone is ringing, but you’re not picking up" | |
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2:19 PM Jul 11