Rick Fielding's Upcoming New CD

Subject: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Jul 99 - 07:36 PM

So, Rick, this is yet another attempt to embarrass you with crass commercialism. What's going to be on this new CD you're recording?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Peter T.
Date: 20 Jul 99 - 10:45 AM

As an acolyte at the TEMPLE OF RICKYWOO I can reveal that the vicious atheist refers to God very directly and conspicuously on his CD.
yours, Peter t.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Jul 99 - 01:25 PM

Well, I guess the title is the same as that "Dreamer" song Rick played on the radio yesterday. C'mon, Rick, tell us more about the new album!
Rick, did you really used to drive an American Motors Pacer? I guess I can picture that....
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 20 Jul 99 - 04:30 PM

Not only did I drive it, but the first day I owned it, I went on tour and stopped in Cincinatti (sp) for an oil check. They couldn't find the dip stick! Neither could I and while these two big garage guys snickered, I mumbled something about it being my wife's car and, and,...'course I wasn't married at the time. Humiliating!
Peter is refering to the cover, which has a mild little joke on it courtesy of DaVinci and C.F. Martin.
Went to Borealis this morning to sign a contract (trusting aren't they, considering we started recording it several months ago) and it'll probably be out in mid-August.
rick

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Peter T.
Date: 20 Jul 99 - 05:40 PM

DaVinci, O Great Master??????
yours, Peter T.

Subject: Review: Rick Fielding's 'This One's the Dreamer'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Oct 99 - 10:17 PM

After the FSGW Getaway, I toured the Virginia Outback for four days. I got six CD's from Sandy and Caroline Paton to keep me company, and one of those was Rick Fielding's This One's the Dreamer. I played it four times, so I think I can honestly say that I really like it. When I was at his concert in Washington in March, I got the feeling that Rick betrayed his vast knowledge of traditional and folk music by leaning a bit too heavy on the singer-songwriter stuff. I think he's got a good mix on this album, even including a couple of songs that have their roots in Child Ballads.
Rick's version of "The Wind and Rain" sounds a bit like I imagine Gordon Lightfoot would do it, but I guess it's natural for a kid who grew up in Canada in the 60's to have a bit of influence from El Gordo, eh? Besides, it's a good, suitably spooky rendition of the song, whether it sounds like Lightfoot or not. I like Rick's unusual arrangement of "Salty Dog" - it's refreshingly different from the version everybody else sings.
Rick wrote a gospel song for the CD, and he did a good job of it. He calls it "Sing with the Angels":

I'm gonna sing with the angels
When my time comes around
This earth is just rehearsal
For when I'm heaven bound
I'll be well prepared to take my place
with harmony and rhyme
And sing with the angels when it's time.

I have a soft spot in my heart for those inspiring anthems that pluck at your heart strings. Rick's got two of those on his album. One is Rick Speyer's "There Comes a Time":

There is light at the end of the tunnel,
There is always hope in the face of despair
There is freedom at the end of the struggle,
Hold on to your dream if you find it out there
There is peace in the song of the wild wood,
Love is best when it blooms on its own
there's a road that beckons us to follow,
Always a trail that leads us back home.

The last song on the album is another anthem, "When We Gather Once More," by Rick Fielding and Holmes Hooke, which has a nice chorus and a terrific last verse:

Be well, be safe, be kind, be strong
For the times will test us sore
And to gladden our hearts,
Our bodies, our souls
Oh, be here when we gather once more.
Oh, be here when we gather once more.

Now if I find a resting place
Before I'm back this way
Or if the road be just too long
And my feet have turned to clay
If from tonight you do recall
Just one line from this song
Then even if our roads do end,
This song will travel on.

Good work, Rick.
-Joe Offer-

P.S. "Catspaw's Rag" is just right, a suitable tribute to our remarkable friend.
Both of Rick's CD's are available at Folk-Legacy Records (click).

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 18 Oct 99 - 12:06 AM

Thanks so much Joe. I truly appreciate the good review.
When I was a teenager, although I did listen to a great deal of traditional material (as I've mentioned before, "Horton Barker" - recorded by our own Sandy, is still perhaps my all time favourite record) as well as political stuff, I loved the early songs of Gordon Lightfoot. I got to know him when I moved to Toronto and I think I learned a tremendous amount from him. He edited himself seemingly without ego - throwing out 90 percent of what he'd written and keeping only the songs he thought would stand the test of time.
Actually, my version of "Wind and Rain" comes from hearing Kilby Snow's autoharp, and some of Mike Seeger's text. Over the years I've inadvertantly messed with verses (occasionally vertantly as well) but I'm not a traditional singer anyway - just a city boy who loves traditional music.

Funny thing, although I've often professed to be the quintessential agnostic - I love Gospel music. Also, though I at times despair at humanity's chances for survival, a song like Rick Speyer's "There Comes A Time", (there is light at the end of the tunnel) makes me feel positive and hopeful.

Rick

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Oct 99 - 12:43 AM

Well, I forgot to say the main thing I was going to say. All of the songs on the CD are songs I'd enjoy singing myself. I guess one of the main reasons I listen to recordings is to help me learn songs.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 18 Oct 99 - 01:48 AM

Our shipping department is ready for the flood of orders, folks. We'll even put on extra staff, if necessary, to handle it. Order through Mudcat and make a contribution at the same time!

Just kidding, of course, although Joe's right. There are a bunch of good, learnable/singable songs on this CD, as there are on Rick's first one - Lifeline. I've always felt that providing good new song material to those who like to sing 'em for themselves is an essential function of Folk-Legacy.

Sandy

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 18 Oct 99 - 03:54 AM

I'm very much looking forward to getting a copy of the CD. I heard Rick'd version of "In My Life" the other morning on Jim Marino's radio show (plug: "The free-Wheeling Folk Show", Saturday mornings from 10 to 12 on CFMU, 93.3 - with a distressingly local broadcast range until the new tower goes up). Perhaps my favourite Lennon/McCartney song; and I think Rick's tratment is superlative. Muchly looking forward to the rest of it.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 18 Oct 99 - 10:30 AM

Peter T, this is my take on Rick's Godly stuff.
Rick isn't a religious man. He doesn't believe the claims to salvation lie on a particular faith, nor does he believe in some form of metaphysical or supernatural reality like religious teachings or dogma, ritual or prayer. Nope, Rich Fielding is a spiritual man, one who is concerned with the human spirit, a spirit of love, compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, and a sense of responsibility to others. We may be able to do without religious men, but we will never survive with Ricks.
Just my observation
Little Neo

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Peter T.
Date: 18 Oct 99 - 11:04 AM

I certainly agree, Little Neo, we will never survive with Rick's disgusting atheistic spirituality, all that concern with the human spirit, compassion stuff. Makes you want to go out and peel the skin off live kittens. (joke, joke, joke -- ain't typos grand!!)
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 18 Oct 99 - 12:09 PM

Typo errors are horrible Peter T. horrible I meant to say, we will never survive withOUT Ricks. Thats pretty funny hugh? Little Neo

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 18 Oct 99 - 12:15 PM

Sorry about that Rick
Little Neo

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 18 Oct 99 - 12:22 PM

Neo: That was a lovely, well-written observation, and the typo was obvious. We all knew what you meant, and you are certainly right.

Sandy

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Peter T.
Date: 18 Oct 99 - 12:30 PM

O GREAT GOD RICK PLEASE FORGIVE LITTLE NEO!!! Please, O Great God Rick, forgive the natural errors of a mere mortal student!! Many a time our fingers have strayed, both upon our banjos and upon our guitars, and upon our keyboards as well. I too am a sinning student of thine, and add my pleas to those of Little Neo!! Please rain down your spirit of love, compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, and a sense of responsibility to others upon us penitential grovellers. OH IGNORE THE TEMPTATION TO DO THE BAD JEHOVAH WITH HIS FIERY THUNDERING LIGHTNING NUMBER!! We know that we have strayed from your path like lost sheep. Little Neo has not done her banjo practice. I have forgotten all my bass runs. We have faltered on our G chords. Mercy, mercy, OH RICK OF RICKS!
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 18 Oct 99 - 12:47 PM

Can I hide behind your loin cloth Peter T?
Little Neo

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Oct 99 - 02:39 PM

That must be one helluva guitar class Rick teaches....

---

Do I understand correctly that both Peter and Neo are in the class? Are there other 'Catters studying at the feet of the All-Wise Ricky?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: MMario
Date: 18 Oct 99 - 02:44 PM

I wondered what the lightning strikes north across Lake Ontario were about....

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Peter T.
Date: 18 Oct 99 - 03:39 PM

Loin cloth at the ready!! yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Peter T.
Date: 18 Oct 99 - 03:50 PM

Actually Joe, we cannot speak of the holy of holy at the heart of the Rickensian mysteries. That would mean instant death, or 2 weeks listening to Neil Diamond records, whichever comes first. I can say that before being allowed into the inner Kingston Road sanctum, one must wait outside for 3 years, with expectation rising, in wind, rain and snow. Following this, one is allowed to see the edge of one of R****'s fingerpicks, kept in a Mason jar in a shrine outside in Lady Duckboots garden. After a few more years have passed, and one has been tested, then the purification ceremony is carried out, including incense burners and extensive chanting. Having been clothed in white raiment, and following the sacrifice of a spotless heifer, one is allowed into the central chamber. There wonders are unfolded to one, such that caravans of acolytes from furthest Turkestan have never witnessed, and truths so shattering, that even to write of them here shudders the conscious mind. I can no more. I swoon.
yours in awe, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Oct 99 - 03:55 PM

Peter, I do believe that you are profoundly ill....

Is this some sort of cult, or are you two just normal groupies? As for me, I'm not sure I can imagine Rick Fielding attracting either a cult or groupies. This world is getting weirder and weirder, though.
-Joe Offer, still running for President. Wanna vote for me?-

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Peter T.
Date: 18 Oct 99 - 04:16 PM

Cult? The Rickensian mysteries are not a cult, but the truth. Be warned, blasphemer, check beneath your car; watch what you put in your garbage!!!
Hey, if Al Gore can pump Buddhists for money for his campaign, why can't we Rickensians stump for Joe Offer! My money's on you, Joe! Do you accept donations from Canadians? Can we chant for your victory?
yours, Peter T. (Chair of Transcendental Canadians for Joe Offer Campain - TCJOC) Hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Subject: RE: Rick Fielding's New CD
From: Big Mick
Date: 18 Oct 99 - 05:54 PM

Hey, Master Rick (quickly as you can...snatch the flatpick from my hand)......things have been a little slow in the temple ever since I the spud in the thong thing. I need to supplement my income.........Need a parttime keeper of the fertility rites??? I am willing to work nights and weekends, if you will work around my gigs???? And I am a helluva cook.

Big Mick