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WildernessPage 1 | Page 2 (Continued from page 1) Land of Opportunity The roots-rock singer/songwriter/guitarist who records under the name Mad Buffalo has a master's degree in wildlife biology, and his nonmusic career includes contributing to the preservation of 40,000-plus acres as permanent wildlife conservation easements for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "[The landscape] is a very natural theme for me," says Riviere, who splits his time between Montana and Washington. "It is always on my mind, but actually, I spend quite a bit of effort trying to diffuse it. I don't want to bore everybody with my issues and do try hard to produce a diverse album with a variety of subject matter and melodies." Mad Buffalo's latest album is the self-released Wilderness, which follows 2004's A Good Bad Road and 2006's Fool Stand. On Wilderness, Riviere says he enjoyed exploring his country side in depth, and the experience reminded him of his days growing up on a small farm in Northern California. Wilderness producer Marty Grebb brought in guitar legend James Burton to play on the songs "Little Walk" and "Destination Unknown." Riviere knows all about Burton's extensive resume, and he's quick to point out the man known for his "chicken picking" style spent a number of years playing with John Denver. Speaking of Denver, Riviere realized not long after Denver's death how much the "Rocky Mountain High" singer influenced him as a junior high school student. "The whole image, I guess - music, the mountains, the hiking boots, all of it - seemed very cool to me at the time, and I'm now convinced he did influence my feelings for the landscape, music and my career choices later on," Riviere explains. "I had the pleasure of being able to tell this story to Burton, and I think he appreciated it very much. He said that Denver was one of the nicest folks he ever worked with."  "Brainchild of Randy Riviere, an apparent fan of Southern rock and Neil Young, this album is full of guitars that soar and vocals layered to bring each and every one of the 12 cuts to life as he sings about searching, real or metaphorical." "It's somehow fitting that the opening song on Mad Buffalo's new album is titled "Ohio," though it has nothing to do with Neil Young's 1970 classic single. But Mad Buffalo's Randy Riviere is someone clearly in debt to Young's yearning sound, and uses those influences to create his own considerable contribution to new music. It's also not a surprise Rivere's sound is so connected to the earth. It seems to rise right up from the land in strong doses of elemental influences, no doubt because for many years, Randy Riviere worked doing conservation for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and his own company, receiving multiple awards for his environmental endeavors. On the third Mad Buffalo album, the singer-songwriter has found an ultimate spark, one that comes from the belief so much of life is in the discovery ahead. Songs like "Destination Unknown" portray the band as adventurers ready for anything, and even if they play in styles well known to lovers of American music, there is always the sense it's what's around the bend that interests them most. The band enlists guests like producer Marty Grebb, James Burton, Mickey Raphael and James Pennebaker to add their individual touches to the songs, which takes an already talented band to the next level. More than their uptempo music, Mad Buffalo really excels at the moody apocalyptical feeling on "Let's Get On with It," "Angry Town" and several others. There is a disarming hint of dread that can't be denied. Maybe it's Riviere's many years battling the forces of destruction by modern developers over nature, but it's something that can't be missed and adds to his band's mission. For sheer beauty, though, the unbeatable winner on the album is "All I Really Want." Neil Young's spirit is hovering straight above the song, along with the hope that somehow the best of our past is right there with him. Like The Band, Crazy Horse and a few other groups before them, Mad Buffalo expresses a deep love for both history and the future, promising as much as they deliver. Wilderness is the album to bring them out of the woods." "Wilderness is the third release from Randy Riviere, also known as Mad Buffalo. Randy creates music that reflects his meaningful, spirited efforts as a wildlife biologist who has acquired multiple awards for work in conservation and environmental issues. The album's lyrical content involves thought provoking and inspiring accounts of the American wilderness and of the commonplace folk who thrive in it, both past and present. Like Neil Young, Gram Parsons, and Steve Earle before him, Riviere is an old school composer and musician suitable to the folk-rock groove of performers who sing of practical and earthy American ideals. It's roots music to remind us of who we are and where we come from. "Riviere has garnered respect and notoriety throughout the music industry. It's an aspect that's blatantly noticeable in the list of performers playing alongside him on Wilderness. Hall of Fame guitarist James Burton, harmonica player Mickey Raphael (the Willie Nelson Band), Producer Marty Grebb on multiple instruments, and James Pennebaker on steel guitar are a mere few musicians who added their talents to the album's twelve tracks. "Though Riviere's voice has a sound of its own, one that's somewhat relaxed in a baritone register, it's interesting that a Neil Young ambiance is perceived quite often, even though his range is opposite of Young's falsetto/tenor. The exception to this 'closeness in sound yet difference in range' feature is the song "All I Really Want," in which his range actually sounds in close proximity to Young's at times. The Neil Young similarity is perceivable throughout the album, but it's merely a bonus, and by no means challenges the individualism of Riviere. Though his style often reflects timeless influences of past folk and rock greats, he's an extremely distinctive and genuine artist in his own right." Much of the music is in a generic '70s rock, folk-rock, and Americana mode, and the diversely appealing characteristics of each song keep the music fascinating from beginning to end. The album's opener, "Ohio," in which Riviere sings of the rich history of the Ohio River, is coerced along by multiple guitars with driving rhythms and dual lead melodies, providing it a 70s southern rock quality. In a generic '70s rock mode as well, yet with a different edge, the sluggish quiver in Reviere's voice is indicative of Lou Reed in "Rainy Day." The song's rhythm guitar arrangement is in that vein as well. "Little Walk" is an appealing rockabilly ditty, very melodic and instrumentally proficient. It's reminiscent of a modern day Lee Rocker melody, rendering it the perfect choice to segue into the country flavored "Destination Unknown." "Alkali/Cold Harbor" is in a sluggish Neil Young approach, weighing heavily on lethargic snare drum hits and smooth swaying steel guitar fills. The dreamy "Pretty Boy" is an interesting song with numerous influences, most notably the blatant Beatles-like synth fill in the chorus. Some will agree that the world needs more down-to-earth music like Mad Buffalo's Wilderness. Its essence of the American wilderness and stories of commonplace people are personal and insightful expressions of roots America that should never be forgotten. Riviere's raw and unrefined folk-rock sound lacks the sham of pompous materialism and extravagance that today's world and its music is typically engulfed in. He reminds us that the time-honored folk-rock music that was so dear to us at one time still exists. It's not always about multi-tracks, sophistication, and bloated production. Music possessing those traits doesn't endure the test of time very often. Music that's genuine and insightful does. Wilderness is the latter. "... compelling stories from a guy who's been there and done that ... raw roots rock from those that like their lyrics real." "A long time player that has finally made music his priority rounds up cats like Marty Grebb, Mickey Raphael and James Burton to give his latest the proper kick in the pants. C'mon, these guys really don't need to get out of bed for a paycheck. As blue collar as it gets, this is the real music of the heartland and its people. As real as it gets from top to bottom, this is the kind of left field date that grows on you instantly and really opens your ears to a new raft of possibilities." "Blue-collar honest and steel-guitar stirring, this passionate group is helmed by Randy Riviere with guest guitarist and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer James Burton, singing the praises of 'Ohio' and 'Old Kentucky.'" Page 1 | Page 2 | Return to top |
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Now Playing: "Rainy Day" from Wilderness CD |
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