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Pink & Black (1998) - Rick Vito


    Featuring »

Rick Vito

    Tracklisting »
I Wouldn't Lay My Guitar Down
  Date Performance: 1998, Running Time: 2:38
  Comments: Recorded and mixed at Moon Martin Studio, Hermitage, TN.
HomeworkLyrics available
  Date Performance: 1998, Running Time: 3:32
  Comments: Recorded at House of Blues Studio, Encino, CA. Mixed at Manzanita Studio, Arrington, TN.
Lazy Love
  Date Performance: 1998, Running Time: 4:12
  Comments: Recorded and mixed at Manzanita Studio, Arrington, TN.
Let's Get Some Work Done
  Date Performance: 1998, Running Time: 3:32
  Comments: Recorded and mixed at Moon Martin Studio, Hermitage, TN.
StreamlinerInstrumental
  Date Performance: 1998, Running Time: 3:38
  Comments: Recorded and mixed at Manzanita Studio, Arrington, TN.
Trouble In Trying Times
  Date Performance: 1998, Running Time: 3:40
  Comments: Recorded at Brother Cous-Cous Studios, Nashville, TN. Mixed at Manzanita Studio, Arrington, TN.
I Loved Another WomanLyrics available
  Date Performance: 1998, Running Time: 3:46
  Comments: Recorded at House of Blues Studio, Encino, CA. Mixed at Manzanita Studio, Arrington, TN.
Blues Party
  Date Performance: 1998, Running Time: 3:30
  Comments: Recorded and mixed at Moon Martin Studio, Hermitage, TN.
I Stand Accused
  Date Performance: 1998, Running Time: 4:39
  Comments: Recorded and mixed at Manzanita Studio, Arrington, TN.
Leap Frog BoogieInstrumental
  Date Performance: 1998, Running Time: 2:46
  Comments: Recorded and mixed at Moon Martin Studio, Hermitage, TN. Frogs recorded at Rick's Frog Pond.
The Whole World Was Crying
  Date Performance: 1998, Running Time: 4:28
  Comments: Recorded at Brother Cous-Cous Studios, Nashville, TN. Mixed at Manzanita Studio, Arrington, TN.
Living Without You
  Date Performance: 1998, Running Time: 5:14
  Comments: Recorded and mixed at Manzanita Studio, Arrington, TN.
    Guest Appearances »

Dennis Belfield, Billy Block, Bill (Willum) Cuomo, Jim(my) DeJulio, Dan Duehren (Durran), Frogs, John Gardner, Charles (Mojo) Johnson, Mark (T.) Jordan, Tommy Kay, Glen(n) (A.) Worf, Reese Wynans

    Released »

1998-08-18

    Format »

Domestic Vinyl/CD Album

    Other Appearances »
Scott Campbell (Engineer), Jim Glass (Engineer), Dave Clark (Songwriter), Eddie Clearwater (Harrington) (Songwriter), Danny Flowers (Songwriter), Peter Green (Songwriter), Peter Green (Songwriter), Steve Moos (Songwriter), Al(berta) Perkins (Songwriter), Otis Rush (Songwriter), Michael Smotherman (Songwriter), Rick Vito (Songwriter), Francesco Vito (Songwriter), Rick Vito (Produced By), Bill (Willum) Cuomo (Recorded By), Eric Rudd (Recorded By), Bill (Willum) Cuomo (Mixed By), Eric Rudd (Mixed By), Sam Emerson (Page 7 Photo), Sandy Spear (Page 6 Photo), Rick Vito (Streamliner Guitar Designed By), Joel Zarska (Inlay Guitar Photo), Lucia D'Angelo/D'Angilo (Page 8 Photo), Mojgan (Disc Label Photo)

    Record Label »
Wildcat/Varese Sarabande Records

    Catalogue Number »

WLD-8202

    Running Time »

46:02

    Liner Notes »

For two decades, RICK VITO has been electrifying audiences all over the world with his unique blend of blues, rock 'n roll and R&B. His stellar guitar work has enriched the recordings and performances of legendary artists like BOB SEGER (check out RICK's awesome slide guitar solo on "LIKE A ROCK"), BONNIE RAITT'S album GREEN LIGHT and four tours with BONNIE, including 1998's "FUNDAMENTAL TOUR," JACKSON BROWNE, JOHN MAYALL's BLUESBREAKERS, ROY ORBISON, and many others.

Perhaps he is best known as a recent member of FLEETWOOD MAC, who brought back a passionate, bluesy quality to the band's music missing since the days of PETER GREEN. RICK's original songs and vocal performances are featured on their albums BEHIND THE MASK and THE CHAIN. RICK also appears on the GREATEST HITS LP and the full-length concert video TANGO IN THE NIGHT. In 1992 RICK recorded his critically acclaimed debut album, KING OF HEARTS on Modern/Atlantic Records. This work was praised for its: "dazzling collection of fiery slide guitar driven songs..." It also featured the single "DESIREE," a smoldering duet with former band-mate STEVIE NICKS.

RICK's career got a jumpstart in the 1970's when a friend from his hometown of Philadelphia, TODD RUNDGREN, invited him to come to Los Angeles and play on his LP SOMETHING, ANYTHING. Before too long he was in demand for sessions, and then caught the ear of JOHN MAYALL. He soon joined the short list of incredible guitarists to be featured in JOHN MAYALL's BLUESBREAKERS, playing on four albums and doing a world tour in the mid-seventies. His first tour with BONNIE RAITT was in 1977, and he toured with MARIA MULDAUR after she recorded his "MEET ME AT MIDNIGHT" as the title cut of her album.

JACKSON BROWNE brought RICK in to work on three albums, LAWYERS IN LOVE, LIVES IN THE BALANCE, "SOMEBODY'S BABY" (from the soundtrack FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH) and the live video "DOWNTOWN." RICK joined JACKSON's band for the 1982-83 world tour and U.S. tour.

BOB SEGER invited RICK into the studio and the first thing RICK played was the slide-guitar break in "LIKE A ROCK." They did a U.S. tour in 1986-87 and worked on another album, THE FIRE INSIDE. They also contributed to a various artists' A VERY SPECIAL CHRISTMAS on A & M Records.

As mentioned earlier it was at this time, 1987, that RICK joined FLEETWOOD MAC as member for four years.

He has many more studio credits: JOHN PRINE, STEVE GOODMAN, RITA COOLIDGE, TIMOTHY B. SCHMIDT, BOBBY WHITLOCK, THELMA HOUSTON, RONNIE BARRON, and two more acts he recorded and toured with, DOLLY PARTON and ROGER McGUINN, doing a world tour as THUNDERBYRD. He has also written songs for FLEETWOOD MAC, MARIA MULDAUR, THE BYRDS, SAWYER BROWN, and JAMES COTTON.

You could usually count on finding RICK backing great blues and rock acts that played around the periphery of Los Angeles. The legendary Topanga Corral was a second home for him, usually playing with the great ALBERT COLLINS. From LOWELL FULSON to LITTLE RICHARD, SCREAMIN' JAY HAWKINS, THE COASTERS and local legends, you could see and feel the joy and respect RICK has always had for this music.

PINK & BLACK is a record RICK has wanted to make for a long time. Recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville, eight of the tracks are RICK VITO originals and two are covers by two of his all time favorite artists, "HOMEWORK" by OTIS RUSH and "I LOVED ANOTHER WOMAN" by FLEETWOOD MAC founder, PETER GREEN.

On this CD RICK has utilized three custom guitars designed by and built for him. He holds design patents on each and they draw their influence from the 1930's art deco style. The Streamliner is RICK's main axe and is pictured with him on the cover. He also uses his Skyliner and Starliner guitars. The Streamliner was built to RICK's design by TORU NITTONO of L.A. Guitar Works. It features an ash body, a bolt-on neck and ebony fret board with jumbo frets and Seymour Duncan Humbuckers. The Skyliner also features an ash body, bolt-on neck and ebony fret board with jumbo frets and Seymour Duncan Single-coil pickups. Finally, the Starliner is RICK's version of an early Les Paul, with a set neck, rosewood fret board, jumbo frets and Seymour Duncan P-90s. In addition, RICK endorses Epiphone Guitars, now made by Gibson. His instrument of choice is the Epiphone Sorrento, which is a hollow-body instrument featuring two Epiphone/Gibson stock P-90s.

For amplification, RICK's choice is an assortment of vintage Fender and National amps, along with his long-time favorite all-tube Dumble Overdrive Special custom built for him in the mid-seventies. He currently is planning a line of amplifier cabinets styled like his guitars. He also uses ROBERT STAMPS' Drive-O-Matic stomp box.

Like so many other great rock and blues artists, RICK was driven to play the guitar, starting at the early age of eight in his hometown of Philadelphia, with what else but a Stella. Seeing and hearing the early ELVIS PRESLEY, CHUCK BERRY, RICK NELSON (with JAMES BURTON on guitar) and JERRY LEE LEWIS inspired the style and direction of RICK's playing and singing. But it was the Nashville produced TV show in the mid-sixties called "THE BEAT," hosted by WLAC's premier blues and R&B disc jockey, HOSS ALLEN, that really opened RICK's eyes. This show, which was like a black version of "SHINDIG," featured GATEMOUTH BROWN as the leader of the house band and was a prominent showcase for the best black blues and R&B performers of the era such as FREDDY KING and B.B. KING. Not to be left out of the mix, were the ROLLING STONES, whose great covers of blues and R&B material, led RICK to delve into the originals.

To this day, RICK's favorite "first generation" electric blues artists are ELMORE JAMES, B.B. KING, MAGIC SAM, FREDDY KING, ALBERT COLLINS, EARL HOOKER, ALBERT KING, ROBERT NIGHTHAWK, CHUCK BERRY, BO DIDDLEY and MUDDY WATERS. Among his favorite "second generation" blues and roots rock artists, who influenced his playing and performing style, are PETER GREEN, JIMI HENDRIX, ERIC CLAPTON, MIKE BLOOMFIELD, TAJ MAHAL and JOHN HAMMOND JR.

After he finishes touring with BONNIE RAITT in 1998, RICK's plans are to put together a smokin' band and tour the United States, Canada and Europe to present the music you hear on this CD.

For more information on RICK VITO and his touring plans, contact:
Denny Bruce Management
2934 Beverly Glen Circle, Suite 266
Bel Air, CA 90077-2527
or at DBruceMgt@aol.com

Special thanks to BRENT HAESLER, DAN DUEHREN, BILL CUOMO, JIM GLASS, GARY BELZ, MOON MARTIN, EDDIE TUDURI, AL PERKINS, JOHN "JUKE" LOGAN, NORMAN HARRIS, BOBBY HUCK, ROBERT STAMPS, TORU NITTONO, ROB BOLGER, ERIK DALTON, HOMEY HOMES, JOEL ZARSKA, TOM SHILLEA, BILLY McDONALD, RSN & THE BAND, AL SHELTON, ELLIE LOGAN, RONNIE BARRON, BILL LYNCH, DENNY BRUCE, JOHN HERRON, BONNIE RAITT, KEB' MO, EPIPHONE GUITARS, SEYMOUR DUNCAN PICKUPS and PEAVEY AMPLIFIERS.

Special, special thanks to MOM, DAD and MARK.

This record is dedicated with eternal love to AIMEE, FRANCESCO and ARA VITO. Thank you for always loving me.

Thank God for all this abundance.

Thanks to my friend and brother, GREG PURDON.

WILDCAT RECORDS IS A DIVISION OF VARESE SARABANDE RECORDS, INC. DEVOTED TO BRINGING YOU THE BEST IN ROCK, ROOTS ROCK, BLUES, RHYTHM AND OTHER ROOTS MUSIC. THIS CD IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE BELIEVE IS THE BEST IN THESE GENRES. LOOK FOR MORE WILDCAT RELEASES BRINGING YOU THE BEST OF THIS MUSIC.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WILDCAT RECORDS CONTACT US AT
11846 VENTURA BOULEVARD, SUITE 130
STUDIO CITY, CA 91604
OR AT WWW.VARESESARABANDE.COM

(P) (C) 1998 Manufactured by Varese Sarabande Records, Inc.

All rights reserved.

Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.

Printed in the U.S.A.

Distributed by Universal Music and Video Distribution
10 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608

Compact Disc Digital Audio

0 30206 2 5

    Reviews »
Add your review here.

4/5.04/5.04/5.04/5.04/5.0
There's more color than just pink and black here
Review written by John Fitzgerald, September 6th, 2004

This long awaited follow up solo album has Rick more freely addressing his blues admiration, most notably covering Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac number "I loved another woman" and the Otis Rush classic "Homework" (which many will remember from the chess sessions releases) very effectively. Vito has some great instrumental romps too with "Streamliner" named after his main axe and the slip and slide of "Leap frog boogie" speaking of slide, Rick takes his stab at Jeremy Spencer's beloved delta style with "I stand accused". Other highlights are the catchy, uptempo "The whole world was crying", the pleasing down tempo of "Lazy love" and a stretched out slow Chicago blues called "Living without you" which ends the album. It's easy to tell Rick is enjoying things more this time around.

    Comments »

This particular CD can also be purchased through Rick Vito's Official Website on the 'New CD page'.

    Last Modified »
2011-02-22
    Tracklisting »
Discography entry submitted by Christy Valkman, Gerald L. Olsen & Jeff Kenney.