Being a multi-faceted artist in mainstream music is quite unrecognizable since so much is studio-created and staff-developed. So, I feel that I would be right to say that if you are looking for that type of artist in that realm, stop and check out the Indie Music arena.
When compared to mainstream music’s often bland one dish choices, the Indie Music community creatively supplies the listening audience with two, or three, course meals, and sometimes even dessert – ha, ha! It’s that wide range of talent and richly developed styles that we offer to the globe. There is always something for anyone’s musical palate.
In saying the above, I would like to introduce you to Wally Hite Rankin.
Rankin is a multi-faceted artist.
Coming out of Melbourne, this Indie singer/songwriter/musician has a range of talent that is unmistakably wide and it is heard on his recent single “The River” – a Prototype Music release with Dallas Cosmas as producer and instrumentalist.
Additionally, “The River” contains two bonus tracks: “Nothing’s Gonna Save Me Now” and “Stone Soup Blues.”
After reading this review and listening to each track, you will see how the overall appeal of the music and the message satisfies your personal musical appetite no matter if it is Soul, Delta Blues, or Pop.
Let’s start with the title track.
Dually purposeful, “The River” offers a varied listening experience – on one hand this track beckons the style of The Doobie Brothers with that meticulously blended harmonic chorus, but it also meanders into a Zeppelin-esque slant with the guitar techniques used – more melodic, rhythmic, and bluesy. “Let the water set you free” Rankin sings on this track of honesty and reality using a dual lead. Moreover, the wailing guitar in the background at point 2:22 on to the outro just mellows you man. I mean, this is the type of music that demands meditation as it is just so deep. “The River” includes a striking harmonica performance as well as tight tambourines and vocal interpretations that allows for an approachable track that pulls at your inner wild child.
“Nothing’s Gonna Save Me Now” creeps up on you with an eerie chorus and tells the story of how it takes courage, and sadly sometimes liquid courage, to be a man. Distortedly, Rankin sings “everyday takes all it can to find the strength to be a man / well, I think I’m done with whisky / but these days I never know / it seems the harder I keep trying, the less I’ve got to show /and there ain’t nothing’s gonna save me now.” Rankin’s rough second tenor is spicy, and it is followed by his baritone that is not bottomless. Featuring only vocals and guitars, this track still has character and substance – that takes skill to accomplish!
And lastly, but certainly not least, is “Stone Soup Blues” a practical track about the everyday man and his story – the lyrics sing “I’ve been stung by the snake oil, got stone soup for main course / they steal all my money but still make me pay.” I fell in love with the awesome harmony notes on this cut. It is intrinsically ah-mazing how Rankin has such soul coming out of Melbourne with rich, classic, vocal and harmonic techniques that reach into the heart of the Southern USA and its eclectic history. This type of harmony was heard often in “work songs” sang by the workers building railroads pre-Civil War era here in the USA. Classically and beautifully utilizing this vocal technique, as well as blending it with simple riffs and chords, makes this song so inviting and re-playable. Actually, the harmonies become the track’s hook lines – so expansive and smoky – from the bass notes on to the tenor and baritone undertones, this track gives you the goosebumps!
Songs like “Stone Soup” give proof of how heritages are shared globally and how like a river meandering its course, music is the string that ties us all as one tapestry.
Being a multi-faceted artist, Rankin penned, played, and sang the entire collection and created a doubly addictive piece of music. This was due to his blending his altruistic lyrics, deep vocals, and skilled instrumenting. Joining in on this triple jam is Dallas Cosmas whom I had the honor to review his “The Memory Keys” May 2017. Check out my review here to learn more about the methodological Aussie musician/vocalist/producer/songwriter.
After listening to “The River” you will see why I stated that it is a doubly addictive piece of music – it is rugged enough for even the manliest of men to vibe to and it is soft enough to adore and beguile the femme fatales in the audience – the isolation, intrigue, and ingenuity of the artist is felt by the listener.
“The River” releases tomorrow – for those of you in Oz, that’s 3/16/18, and for us in the UK/USA that’s 3/15/18. Get yours on Amazon or on iTunes, and keep up with Rankin by going to https://wallyhiterankin.bandcamp.com/ and www.prototypemusique.com.
