Rick Holmstrom

Rick Holmstrom - Gonna Get Wild - 2000 - Tone-Cool

Los Angeles axeman Rick Holstrom, best known for his work with Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, delivers an album full of diversity on this, his first Tone-Cool release. The 13 songs included on Gonna Get Wild play out like a catalog of guitar stylings, running from the uptempo blues of "I'd Hate to See You Cry" to the sounds of swing and early rock & roll. Holstrom is able to pull off the different styles with ease and finesse, playing in rich, clean tones without overdoing it on the distortion. That's one reason why his songs have the uncanny ability to sound both retro and modern simultaneously. On "Phlazzbo," Holstrom turns up the Latin rhythm, while "Have You Seen My Girl" delves into the New Orleans flavorings of zydeco. On "Lovin' Ways," a variation on the theme delivered by Jay McShann's "Hootie Blues," Holstrom swings to beat the band. "Lost in the Shuffle" is a fine swing-shuffle, with some excellent sax and a foot tapping beat. Rick brings in some top of the line guests on the album, including the aforementioned Rod and Honey Piazza, and the Mighty Flyers rhythm section including Bill Stuve (bass) and Steve Mugalian (drums), Jeff Turmes (ex-James Hartman Band), Andy Kaulkin (piano), Junior Watson, Johnny Dyer, Juke Logan (organ), Kad Kadison (tenor sax), Chris Hunter, Bobby Horton, Teddy Morgan, Henry Carvajal, Curtis Cunningham, and Steve Marsh (tenor sax). In an interesting new move, Holstrom steps up to the mike to sing lead vocals on eight of the tracks for the first time, and he sounds great. It kind of makes you wonder why he hasn't taken to the mike before. The most refreshing quality about Rick Holstrom is the fact that he delivers music with technical savvy and traditional stylings, without sacrificing originality and pure adventure. And his knack for creating a melody line is unparalleled, and his open attitude toward varied musical genres paint a clear image of greatness in Holstom's immediate future. © Michael B. Smith © 2011 Rovi Corporation. All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/album/gonna-get-wild-r468256/review

One has to presume Rick "L.A. Holmes" Holmstrom had his tongue planted firmly in cheek when he titled his new solo release "Gonna Get Wild." Even though the lead guitarist of Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers does let loose on occasion, he more typically is a model of restraint, choosing to communicate with a minimum of flash. In other words, just because Holmstrom can, doesn't mean he will crank up the wattage and unleash Stevie Ray Vaughan-like solo after solo. By & © JOHN ROOS, SPECIAL TO THE TIMES, April 19, 2000 2011 © Los Angeles Times http://articles.latimes.com/keyword/rick-holmstrom

A good blues album from the Alaskan born bluesman, Rick Holmstrom. Influenced by greats like Muddy Waters, and Johnny Dyer, "Gonna Get Wild" is a combination of all these artists' blues styles and more. The album is not as guitar orientated as some of Rick's other albums and the album could have done with a few more guitar solos from a man who was the lead guitarist of Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers. Rick has played with greats like R.L. Burnside, Jimmy Rogers, Smokey Wilson, and Billy Boy Arnold. Buy his brilliant 2002 album, "Hydraulic Groove," which was a superb blend of jazz, funk, and blues. Billboard described "Hydraulic Groove" as "blues for the avant mind", and Amazon voted it one of the best releases of 2002. "Hydraulic Groove" has also been cited as one of the most original, and innovative blues/roots albums of the decade. Check out Rick's "Late In The Night" album @ RICKHOLM/LITN

TRACKS

1 Gonna Get Wild 3:53
2 Have You Seen My Girl 2:44
3 Wiggle Stick 3:55
4 I'd Hate to See You Cry 3:30
5 Lucky Day 4:04
6 Lovin Ways 3:04
7 Phlazzbo 3:59
8 You Missed Your Chance 4:08
9 Just Right 3:20
10 Uno Mas 2:20
11 What's Ailing You 3:43
12 Lost in the Shuffle 4:08
13 [Untitled] 4:52

All songs composed by Rick Holmstrom except "Phlazzbo" by Rick Holmstrom & Steve Mugalian, "Just Right" by Rick Holmstrom & Jeff Big Dad Turmes, and "Uno Mas" by Rick Holmstrom & Marco Fiume

MUSICIANS

Rick Holmstrom - Guitar, Baritone Guitar, Vocals
Henry Carvajal - Guitar, Harmony Guitar
Marco Fiume - Guitar, Wiggle Stick
Bill Stuve - Bass
Jeff Turmes - Bass, Breakdown Vocals
Junior Watson - Bass Guitar, "Bassy" Guitar, Organ
Honey Piazza, Andy Kaulkin - Piano
Juke Logan - Organ
Johnny Dyer - Organ, Harp, Vocals, Breakdown Vocals, "Why?" Chorus
Steve Mugalian - Drums, Snare Drums, Rubboard, Harmony Vocals
Red Naugahyde, Kad Kadison, Henry Carajal, Steve Marsh - Tenor Sax
Teddy Morgan - Tenor Sax, Vocals, Handclaps, Backing Vocals
Bobby Horton - Tenor Sax, Vocals, Handclaps, Backing Vocals
Chris Hunter - Tenor Sax, Tambourine, Vocals, Handclaps, Backing Vocals
Big Dad - Baritone Sax
Rod Piazza - Harp
Curtis Cunningham - Harmony Vocals
Poppy Atkins - "Why?" Chorus

BIO

Rick Holmstrom was born on May 30, 1965 in, of all places, Fairbanks, Alaska. His father was a disc jockey and Rick was brought up listening to the likes of Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, and the Ventures. In 1985 his family moved to Southern California. There, in Los Angeles, he started a garage type blues band covering Jimmy Reed and Chuck Berry songs. He began going to blues clubs like the Pioneer Club, Babe & Ricky's, and the Pure Pleasure Club and began hanging out with such greats as Smokey Wilson and Junior Watson, one of Rod Piazza's original Mighty Flyers. From 1985 to 1988 Holmstrom toured with harmonica player William Clark, spending one year of this time as rhythm guitarist only. During that period he also backed up Jimmy Rogers, Smokey Wilson, Billy Boy Arnold, and Finis Tusby. Later he was befriended by another great harpist, delta bluesman Johnny Dyer who he started playing with in 1989. And in 1994 he was featured on Dyer's "Listen Up". This was followed by Shake It! (again with Dyer) in 1995. Both were released on Black Top Records. Through Black Top, Holmstrom had worked with Rod Piazza on numerous occassions. So when Rod's guitar player, Alex Schultz, gave his notice in 1995, Holmstrom was the obvious choice. In 1996 he recorded the all instrumental "Lookout!" for Rounder Records. This was followed by his Tone-Cool debut "Gonna Get Wild" in 2000. On that disc Holmstrom not only plays guitar but takes over lead vocals, and has written all thirteen songs. There is no doubt about it. Rick "L.A. Holmes" Holmstrom has come a long way from his Alaskan roots and garage band guitar licks. Says Blues Revue Magazine "...Holmstrom is destined for greatness." Having seen him many times live, I can not be in more agreement. Holmstrom brought a much needed blaze of fire to the Flyers, whose 1997 Tone Cool album, Tough and Tender, proved Rod and his group were the hottest band on the circuit. The Holmstrom solo effort Gonna Get Wild followed in the spring of 2000. Holmstrom played another year with the Might Flyers, leaving after 2001's Beyond the Source. Holmstrom turned some heads with his 2002 release, Hydraulic Groove, where he brought a bit of jazz and funk to his blues, also utilizing loops and samples and guests like John Medeski and DJ Logic. Holmstrom stayed busy producing other acts and playing guitar before releasing Live at the Cafe Boogaloo in 2006. © R.J. Bianchino, Blues Internet, www.jazzinternet.com/boulderblues/holmstrom/index.html

MORE

Take a clean-cut boy-next-door type, stick a guitar in his hands, and place him in an environment of smoky, dimly lit bars surrounded by a bunch of blues sages. If you think it's fiction, you don't know Rick Holmstrom, who has been working with some of the best of the Los Angeles blues scene. His father was a disc jockey in Alaska and baptized Holmstrom with music by bringing home records of Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, the Ventures, and Buddy Holly. After moving to Southern California to attend school in 1985, he joined a garage-type blues band that rekindled his musical flame. Holmstrom began seeking live blues at places like the Pioneer Club, Babe & Ricky's, and the Pure Pleasure Club, which became his training ground through hanging out with greats such as Smokey Wilson and Junior Watson. From 1985 to 1988, Holmstrom played and toured with harmonica guru William Clarke. During part of this period, Holmstrom spent a year as a rhythm guitarist only. Befriended by a former Delta bluesman, harpist Johnny Dyer, the duo recorded two earth-shaking albums for Black Top, 1994's Listen Up, followed by Shake It! in 1995. When Alex Schultz gave his notice to Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers, Holmstrom was the obvious choice, as he worked with Rod on numerous occasions. Urged by Hammond Scott of Black Top Records, Holmstrom recorded Lookout! in 1996, an all-instrumental album that garnered airplay on blues and rock radio, sounding like hard-boiled blues instead of a clichéd blues-rock conglomeration. Holmstrom brought a much needed blaze of fire to the Flyers, whose 1997 Tone Cool album, Tough and Tender, proved Rod and his group were the hottest band on the circuit. The Holmstrom solo effort Gonna Get Wild followed in the spring of 2000. Holmstrom played another year with the Might Flyers, leaving after 2001's Beyond the Source. Holmstrom turned some heads with his 2002 release, Hydraulic Groove, where he brought a bit of jazz and funk to his blues, also utilizing loops and samples and guests like John Medeski and DJ Logic. Holmstrom stayed busy producing other acts and playing guitar before releasing Live at the Cafe Boogaloo in 2006. © Char Ham © 2011 Rovi Corporation. All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rick-holmstrom-p87585/biography