Press
NOW MAGAZINE
Rootsy, folksy mash that runs the gamut from fingerpickin' country,
tub-thumpin blues, gospel, and Texas swing. Mostly old classics, novelty originals, a surprising take on House of the rising sun. Fans of Doc Watson, Bob Wills and Hank Williams will be happy .
" Critics choice"
rating: NNNN
Toronto Star, Greg Quill
American folk and country revivalists Mr. Rick & the Biscuits are dedicated, hardworking musicians who have earned a righteous reputation in Toronto for their amusing performances and earnest determination to reinvent the sound and style of folk, country, and blues. The trio's research of lost and forgotten archives is formidable, and their reverence for history of the music they play, and for the "official" modus operandi, remarkable.
Cocktails and Cornbread
Gary Topp
Killer musicianship, and a delivery that is sexy, lazy and tough.
They've sure got it.!!!
Mr. Rick and The BiscuitsWhole Grain (Independent)What a lovely surprise! This disc just opened multiple musical doors andleft the hinges creakin'. A mélange of country swing, gyspy jazz, blues,bluegrass and a few undefined genres in-between, Mr. Rick turns Americanato Canadiana with such newcore classics as Alberta Springs and thepowerful Moonlight In Manitoba. Despite tongues planted firmly in cheeks,there's no denying the talented musicianship that lies beneath the surfaceof each of these 14 tracks as Josephus Burns (bass fiddle) and LutherWheatstraw (guitars) join forces with Mr. Rick while guests Drew Jurecka'sviolin and Robert Fenton's lap steel go a long way towards separating wheatfrom chaff. From the delicious country blues of Snap Cracklin' Pop, withJurecka¹s deep-cutting violin to the over-the-top, anthemic strains ofAlberta Springs, Mr. Rick and his Biscuits proffer a full-course meal thatmakes you smile as it satisfies. Their cover of Bad Moon Risin' alone is enough to reinstate your belief in adding something new to the art of covering over-covered covers. At the same time, Whole Grain stops time everything old sounds new again, while still remaining true to the traditions Mr. Rick stands for. Without a speck of cereal.
Mr. Rick and The Biscuits
Whole Grain (Independent)
What a lovely surprise! This disc just opened multiple musical doors and
left the hinges creakin'. A mélange of country swing, gyspy jazz, blues,
bluegrass and a few undefined genres in-between, Mr. Rick turns Americana
to Canadiana with such newcore classics as Alberta Springs and the
powerful Moonlight In Manitoba. Despite tongues planted firmly in cheeks,
there's no denying the talented musicianship that lies beneath the surface
of each of these 14 tracks as Josephus Burns (bass fiddle) and Luther
Wheatstraw (guitars) join forces with Mr. Rick while guests Drew Jurecka's
violin and Robert Fenton's lap steel go a long way towards separating wheat
from chaff. From the delicious country blues of Snap Cracklin' Pop, with
Jurecka¹s deep-cutting violin to the over-the-top, anthemic strains of
Alberta Springs, Mr. Rick and his Biscuits proffer a full-course meal that
makes you smile as it satisfies. Their cover of Bad Moon Risin' alone is enough to reinstate your belief in adding something new to the art of covering over-covered covers. At the same time, Whole Grain stops time everything old sounds new again, while still remaining true to the traditions Mr. Rick stands for.
Without a speck of cereal.
EXCLAIM MAGAZINEMR.RICK & THE BISCUITSWhole Grain By Kerry Doole Dont let the rather silly band name of Mr. Rick and the Biscuits put you off. This Toronto, ON-based trio have a very authentic old-time sound, one captured neatly on their new CD (their third), Whole Grain. The bands style effortlessly fuses country, swing, folk, bluegrass, blues and early jazz, and their understated vocal and instrumental approach creates a mellow, rocking chair on the porch vibe. Five original tunes include a couple of nationalistic odes (Moonlight In Manitoba and Alberta Springs), while they head south of the border for such well-chosen covers as The Glory Of Love and A Fool Such As I (both sweet treats), Mean Ole Frisco and Stagger Lee. A version of Creedence classic Bad Moon Rising also works really nicely. Guests on accordion, lap steel and violin (local ace Drew Jurecka shines on Inner Jazzbo) augment the fluent guitar, banjo, mandolin and stand-up bass pickings of the Biscuits. Goes well with a smooth bourbon. (Independent)
EXCLAIM MAGAZINE
MR.RICK & THE BISCUITS
Whole Grain
By Kerry Doole
Dont let the rather silly band name of Mr. Rick and the Biscuits put you off. This Toronto, ON-based trio have a very authentic old-time sound, one captured neatly on their new CD (their third), Whole Grain. The bands style effortlessly fuses country, swing, folk, bluegrass, blues and early jazz, and their understated vocal and instrumental approach creates a mellow, rocking chair on the porch vibe. Five original tunes include a couple of nationalistic odes (Moonlight In Manitoba and Alberta Springs), while they head south of the border for such well-chosen covers as The Glory Of Love and A Fool Such As I (both sweet treats), Mean Ole Frisco and Stagger Lee. A version of Creedence classic Bad Moon Rising also works really nicely. Guests on accordion, lap steel and violin (local ace Drew Jurecka shines on Inner Jazzbo) augment the fluent guitar, banjo, mandolin and stand-up bass pickings of the Biscuits. Goes well with a smooth bourbon. (Independent)
Written by John Taylor
CANADIAN BLUES.CA
Its been said that country music is just white mans blues. And western swing is arguably countrys answer to jazz. Mix all of the above, tempered with a healthy dose of sardonic humour, and you just might come close to the sound of Toronto-based
Mr. Rick & The Biscuits.
A cheerful blend of anything-that-works, Whole Grain ranges from a breezy and bright Glory Of Love to the tongue-in-cheek Alberta Springs, an original ode to the restorative powers of a certain malt beverage. Snap Cracklin Pop and Inner Jazzbo both original reflect a bit of Gypsy Jazz influence, and Moonlight In Manitoba sounds like it was lifted from the soundtrack to a romantic movie from a bygone and much simpler age.
Sentiments are sincere the boys have done their research and know the material inside and out but nothing gets in the way of a good time. So Mean Ol Frisco is a bouncy romp rather than a declaration of desperation. And Hank Snows A Fool Such As I is given a lilting accompaniment, complete with atmospheric accordion and fiddle, that reflects a hint of optimism rather than the usual dark despair. Even T-Bone Walkers I'm Still In Love With You comes across as unusually jaunty and carefree.
Not the deepest of blues, perhaps, but as a fun platter for a sunny day this one would be hard to beat. Recommended!
