Richard Ray Farrell

Last updated
Richard Ray Farrell
Born1956 (age 6768)
Niagara Falls, New York, U.S.
Genres Electric blues
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Guitar, harmonica, vocals
Years active1970s–present
LabelsVarious including Stormy Monday Records, Blue Beet Music and CD Baby
Website Official website

Richard Ray Farrell (born 1956) is an American electric blues musician, singer and songwriter. Farrell has released ten albums in his own name to date, and has toured widely over a career that started in the mid-1970s.

Contents

Life and career

Farrell was born in Niagara Falls, New York, but left home after his graduation, backpacking his way across Europe. He found 'work' as a busker on the Paris Métro. [1] In 1976, Farrell met Sugar Blue whilst they were both busking in the Métro. Farrell's first instrument was the harmonica, graduating then to the guitar to accompany his singing. [2]

In 1978, he briefly fronted a Spanish blues-rock band in Spain, and lived with a gypsy family for six months. After becoming a father in 1985, he relocated to Stuttgart, Germany, and played with a local blues band. In 1987, Richard opened for Joe Cocker at the Backnang Open Air Festival. Two years later he led his own Richard Ray Farrell Band, and started touring across Europe. Through connections he toured with Lazy Lester, Big Jack Johnson, Big Boy Henry, Louisiana Red, Frank Frost and R. L. Burnside between 1990 and 1993, during which time Farrell released his debut album, Live in Germany (1992). In 1993, he formed an outfit known as Street Talk, but the members lived across the Northern Hemisphere, making commitment impossible. Farrell returned to both solo acoustic performances and playing with his electric blues trio. In 1995, Farrell and Jimmy Carl Black formed the Farrell and Black Band, who recorded two albums for Stormy Monday Records, Cataract Jump (1996) and Black Limousine (1999). [1] He honed his songwriting skills on these albums and then released Street Songs, Jazzy Tunes and Down Home Blues (1998).

Farrell returned to the States in 2001, and two years later issued his first album for Blue Beet Music, Bohemian Life. Featuring sixteen original songs, it included a guest appearance by the harmonica player, Jerry Portnoy. Bohemian Life reached number 18 on the Living Blues radio chart. Acoustic Roots (2005) followed, which peaked at number 20 on the Living Blues chart. In 2006, Farrell teamed up with Steve Guyger to produce the traditional blues-orientated, Down Home Old School Country Blues. [1] Stuck On The Blues (2007) was another largely acoustic joint affair, this time with the Italian harmonicist, Marco Pandolfi. [3] Camino de Sanlucar (2009) was recorded in Seville, Spain. [1]

His next release, I Sing The Blues Eclectic (2011), contained twelve original tracks. [4] In 2013, Farrell issued At Cambayá Club, a live album with Farrell providing guitar, harmonica and vocals throughout. Shoe Shoppin’ Woman (Blue Beet, 2014) is his most recent offering, [1] and contained cover versions of Elmore James' "Wild About You", and Snooks Eaglin's "If I Could". [5]

Farrell's favorite statement is "The blues will never die because it's not a fad, it's more a way of life." [2]

Discography

Albums

YearTitleRecord label
1992Live in GermanyMaule & Gosch Records
2000Street Songs, Jazzy Tunes and Down Home BluesStormy Monday Records
2002Bohemian LifeBlue Beet
2005Acoustic RootsBlue Beet
2006Down Home Old School Country Blues (with Steve Guyger)Blue Beet
2007Stuck on the Blues (with Marco Pandolfi)Blue Beet
2009Camino de Sanlucar CD Baby
2011I Sing the Blues EclecticEmphasis Records
2013At Cambayá ClubCambayá Records
2014Shoe Shoppin' Woman CD Baby

[6] [7]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Butterfield</span> American blues harmonica player (1942–1987)

Paul Vaughn Butterfield was an American blues harmonica player, singer, and bandleader. After early training as a classical flautist, he developed an interest in blues harmonica. He explored the blues scene in his native Chicago, where he met Muddy Waters and other blues greats, who provided encouragement and opportunities for him to join in jam sessions. He soon began performing with fellow blues enthusiasts Nick Gravenites and Elvin Bishop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The J. Geils Band</span> American rock band

The J. Geils Band was an American rock band formed in 1967, in Worcester, Massachusetts, under the leadership of guitarist John "J." Geils. The original band members included vocalist Peter Wolf, harmonica and saxophone player Richard "Magic Dick" Salwitz, drummer Stephen Bladd, vocalist/keyboardist Seth Justman, and bassist Danny Klein. Wolf and Justman served as principal songwriters. The band played R&B-influenced blues rock during the 1970s and soon achieved commercial success before moving toward a more mainstream radio-friendly sound in the early 1980s, which brought the band to its commercial peak. They performed a mix of cover songs of classic blues and R&B songs, along with original compositions written primarily by Wolf and Justman, as well as some group compositions written under the pseudonymous name Juke Joint Jimmy, representing compositions credited to the entire band as a whole. After Wolf left the band in 1983 to pursue a solo career, the band released one more album in 1984 with Justman on lead vocals, before breaking up in 1985. Beginning in 1999, the band had several reunions prior to the death of its namesake, J. Geils, on April 11, 2017.

<i>Whispering Pines: Live at the Getaway</i> 2002 live album by Richard Manuel

Whispering Pines: Live at the Getaway is a live recording by Canadian singer Richard Manuel, chronicling two intimate live shows Manuel performed at The Getaway, a nightclub in Saugerties, New York on October 12, 1985. Released in Japan in March 2002, it is the first solo release from Manuel, who, unlike his former mates from The Band never recorded a proper solo album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Cotton</span> American blues singer-songwriter (1935–2017)

James Henry Cotton was an American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, who performed and recorded with many fellow blues artists and with his own band. He also played drums early in his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Musselwhite</span> American blues musician (born 1944)

Charles Douglas Musselwhite is an American blues harmonica player and bandleader who came to prominence, along with Mike Bloomfield, Paul Butterfield, and Elvin Bishop, as a pivotal figure in helping to revive the Chicago Blues movement of the 1960s. He has often been identified as a "white bluesman".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canadian blues</span>

Canadian blues is the blues and blues-related music performed by blues bands and performers in Canada. Canadian blues artists include singers, players of the main blues instruments: guitar, harmonica, keyboards, bass and drums, songwriters and music producers. In many cases, blues artists take on multiple roles. For example, the Canadian blues artist Steve Marriner is a singer, harmonica player, guitarist, songwriter and record producer.

James Kevin Hocking otherwise known as Jimi the Human is an Australian musician. He has been a member of hard rock groups, The Angels (1988) and The Screaming Jets. As a solo artist he has fronted various backing bands playing hard rock, electric and acoustic blues by providing lead guitar, vocals, mandolin and keyboards. In 2005 he won the Solo/Duo category at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.

<i>Major Moves</i> 1984 studio album by Hank Williams Jr.

Major Moves is the thirty-seventh studio album by American musician Hank Williams Jr. It was released by Warner Bros. Records in May 1984. “Attitude Adjustment,” “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight” and the title track were released as singles. The album reached No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart and has been certified Platinum by the RIAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Fletcher (musician)</span> British blues musician

Gary Fletcher is a British blues musician, best known for playing bass guitar with The Blues Band. He is also a guitarist and songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freddie Roulette</span> American lap steel guitarist and singer (1939–2022)

Frederick Martin Roulette was an American electric blues lap steel guitarist and singer. He was best known as an exponent of the lap steel guitar. He was a member of the band Daphne Blue and collaborated with Earl Hooker, Charlie Musselwhite, Henry Kaiser, and Harvey Mandel. He also released several solo albums. One commentator described Roulette as an "excellent musician".

John "Juke" Logan was an American electric blues harmonica player, musician, singer, pianist and songwriter. He is best known for his harmonica playing on the theme music for television programs and films. In addition to playing on many other musicians' work, Logan released four solo albums, and wrote songs for Poco, John Mayall and Gary Primich.

John Németh is an American electric blues and soul harmonicist, singer, and songwriter. He has received five Blues Music Awards for Soul Blues Male Artist, Soul Blues Album, Traditional Blues Album of the Year, Instrumentalist – Vocals and Instrumentalist – Harmonica. He has recorded ten albums since 2002, having also backed Junior Watson, Anson Funderburgh and Elvin Bishop. He has opened for Robert Cray, Keb' Mo', and Earl Thomas.

Jean Charles Carbone is a French-Italian record producer, arranger and composer. Since 1998, he has been working as freelance sound engineer, both in Italy and abroad, and as in-house producer at Teatro delle Voci and Abnegat Records. As a producer and sound engineer, he shares credits with artists including Ronan Chris Murphy, Steve Vai, Richard Ray Farrell, Black Crowes' Chris Robinson, Alan Vega, Jarvis Cocker, Gavin Friday, Caterina Caselli, Marco Pandolfi, Swamp Dogg, Mick Collins, Mark Arm, Stan Ridgway, Jennifer Gentle's Marco Fasolo, Verdena and many others, producing records for Italian television and several international releases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Johnson (blues musician)</span> Musical artist

Bill Johnson is a Canadian blues guitarist, singer-songwriter and music educator. After a long career as a sideman and guitarist in the 1990s, he began touring with The Bill Johnson Band. They released their second album, Live, in 2006, which led to Johnson being nominated for Best Guitarist at the Maple Blues Awards. He self-released his third solo album, Still Blue, in 2010, which was nominated for Blues Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2012. Johnson continues to tour and has hosted blues workshops throughout Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eli Cook (musician)</span> American singer, songwriter

Eli Hudnall Cook is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and record producer. He is known for an eclectic style, with a focus on blues and blues rock. His deep, rich baritone voice and guitar playing have drawn widespread acclaim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Asselin</span> American singer

Joe Asselin is an American Chicago blues and electric blues musician based out of Champaign, Illinois. He has appeared on five releases with the Blues Music Award-nominated Kilborn Alley Blues Band, with three of them being produced by fellow blues musician Nick Moss at his Blue Bella Records label. He was also a part of the International Blues Challenge finalist group the Sugar Prophets from 2011-2013. More recently he has worked with several other Champaign-based local blues, rock, and country bands and released his own solo acoustic album Blue Genes in 2016.

Jackson Delta are a Canadian blues musical group from Peterborough, Ontario. They are two-time Juno Award nominees for Best Roots and Traditional Album, receiving nods at the Juno Awards of 1991 for Acoustic Blues and at the Juno Awards of 1993 for I Was Just Thinking That.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Biography". Richardrayfarrell.com. 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  2. 1 2 Limnios, Michalis (2012-01-22). "An Interview with Guitarist & Harpman Richard Ray Farrell: I've heard guys call the blues the "truth."". Blues.gr. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  3. John Hedger. "Richard Ray Farrell & Marco Pandolfi | Stuck On the Blues | CD Baby Music Store". Cdbaby.com. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  4. "Richard Ray Farrell | I Sing The Blues Eclectic | CD Baby Music Store". Cdbaby.com. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  5. "Richard Ray Farrell". Cascade Blues Association. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  6. "Richard Ray Farrell | Album Discography". AllMusic . Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  7. "Richard Ray Farrell & Marco Pandolfi Blues Acoustic;blues Delta Style;mp3 Album". Music.tradebit.com. Retrieved 2016-11-24.