Studio Musicians:
BASS: Michael C. Steele
DRUMS: Gerry Hansen, Bill Berry
B3: Tim White, Randall Bramblett
2ND GUITAR: Jonathan Dorsey
RESONATOR: Michael C. Steele
BG VOCS: Sherry Joyce, Michael C. Steele
Back On My Good Foot
is also available on
Influences
Mostly British rock and various American blues artists (Savoy Brown, Johnny Winter, BB King, Gary Moore, Eric Burdon, The Animals, Robin Trower,...)
Sounds Like
Johnny Winter, Robin Trower, Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Animals, Eric Burdon, Eric Clapton, Savoy Brown, BB King, John Mayall, Gary Moore
"Georgia resident Rick Fowler pulls no punches on this fine blues-rock album. It is aptly titled, suggesting some sort of recovery, or perhaps returning to something he does best. His best is very good: a superior riff-based collection of songs, which combine lyrical maturity and attitude in equal measure. This veteran of many local bands, and opening act for many a Stateside star, has accumulated a wealth of experience and know-how, and has produced an emotionally credible recording. There is a complete lack of pretension to his work, and though he is clearly influenced by English rock of the '60s and '70s, there is an originality and substance to his work. Mention must be made of his fine band, apart from his own excellent guitar playing and strong vocals, he is backed up by a sympathetic group of musicians, especially the brilliant Hammond organ virtuoso Tim “Drawbar” White. Fowler supported a local charity benefit to raise awareness of Tourette syndrome, and even enlisted the recently retired Bill Berry (REM) in that enterprise, and he drums on “Road to Nowhere.” I was struck by the clever paradox “She makes me feel so much better/I look forward to feeling bad” in the slow blues “Feel So Much Better.” Elsewhere, he covers Savoy Brown's “Hellbound Train,” which thematically fits the mood and is a worthy conclusion."...Blues Matters! Magazine, July 2009
“This is an incredible recording from this singer, songwriter, and guitar player from Georgia. “Infected with the Blues” starts out with a strong bass line from Michael C. Steele before Rick Fowler terrorizes you with phenomenal guitar licks. “Skeletons in Your Closet” has a very cool with resonator guitar that moves into a toe-tappin’ blues song and Randall Bramblett lights it up with his Hammond organ. “Feels So Much Better,” a Jonathan Dorsey song, has Rick playing haunting guitar and merging powerfully with Tim “Drawbar” White on Hammond. “Back on My Good Foot” features more tasty licks and smokin’ organ. “Preacher” is a pedal-to-the-metal song with great lyrics (“Preacher, don’t try to save no souls when I die”). I think the guitar riffs in “Walk Softly” sound a lot like Mark Knopfler, which really works for this slow ballad. “Running from the Truth” has a country-western feel spruced up by a wah-wah pedal. “Road to Nowhere” starts out with a juicy rock riff, then plows into a heavy metal blues solo mixed with killer Hammond organ. Michael Steele’s
acoustic guitar permeates “Hitchhiking,” a Harl Baggett ballad. “Hellbound Train,” by Kim Simmonds of Savoy Brown, is an excellent cover song. Every musician on this one does an impressive solo—it blew me away. Rick Fowler wrote or co-wrote all the songs except the ones stated. He is truly a talented musician, one I hope to hear from a lot more in the future.”...Holler Magazine, Colorado Blues Society, April, 2009
"It won’t take long for Fowler’s third solo release to move you.
His songs are sharply written bursts of swampy blues that never overstay their welcomes while leaving space for sincere talk-sung vocals and liquid-metal guitar lines. There’s a sense of restraint, unusual for blues-rockers, that brings a noir-soaked atmosphere to songs such as the dark, brooding “Feel So Much Better” and, especially, a remarkable 10-minutecover of Savoy Brown’s “Hellbound Train” that rides an ominous groove.
Songwriting is generally where adherents to this cluttered genre fail. But
with cutting-edge lyrics on songs such as “Infected With the Blues” and
“Preacher” (the latter a scathing indictment of clergymen who use funerals to
push their religious agendas), Fowler brings maturity and intelligence to his
craft. “Running From the Truth” comments on the political climate but still
finds room for a scorching guitar solo. The disc’s sound is defined, clean, and
muscular without being simply loud; every instrument blends into the mix,
resulting in an aggressive but never overwhelming vibe best illustrated by the
walking bass line of “Road to Nowhere.”
It might have taken some time for Fowler to get back on his good foot, but judging by this release, it was worth the wait."
... Hal Horowitz, Blues Revue Magazine, Nov. 2008:
"Rick Fowler proves with this "Back On The Good Foot" that not all blues rock comes from Stevie Ray's closet."
"Rick is a strong songwriter and above all a storyteller. His texts are as important as the excellent music that he plays, just listen to "Preacher" en "Running For The Truth", in which he slashes down the hypocrite religion and politics. Someone who inspires himself today by Kim Simmons and other previous British blues guitarists deserve my respect immediately."
... Rootstime.be (Belgium), Nov. 2008:
"Fowler sings with an understated intensity and his playing isn't showy, but brims over with a dark soulful power."
"Fowler's also a superior songwriter, and while his scenarios are unremittingly bleak they're also imbued with a self-effacing humor that keeps things from getting too grim. The opener, "Infected With the Blues", likens the blues to a fatal disease. Fowler's observations on his condition here mirror the lives of many as he sings "I'm worried 'bout the future, I'm haunted by the past, ain't crazy 'bout the present, I pray that it can't last" His solo is full of fire and brimstone that belies his protestation of helplessness." ... j. poet, All Music Guide, Billboard.com
"Fowler, as anyone who listens to this can hear, is about music, not popularity, and plays his music that way. With quite a bit of delta influence and musicianship to boot, this album is for anyone stoked on good, old fashion porch blues...actual soul makes this an incredibly solid blues record"... John Shelton Ivany Top 21, June, 2008
"Athens, Georgia's Rick Fowler is a midnight stalker on guitar, steady when called for, but fearless when he rips into the moment. As a vocalist he's spooky-smooth. Randall Bramblett, along with a few others, mixes up tasty blues/rock cocktails behind Fowler on Back On My Good Foot. There's a distinct Brit-invasion vibe to several of the songs, but the production and the deft, exciting performances root the album firmly in the here and now. “You've got skeletons in your closet; well mine's out walkin' 'round; and when that jawbone starts to rattle; it spreads the news all over town.” That line alone, on top of a stomping beat, distinguishes Fowler as one hell of a writer. The timely political outrage in “Running from the Truth” and the chic blues in “Walk Softly” are two more cases in point. As a perfect conclusion to the album, the band all but one-ups Savoy Brown in ten agile minutes of sheer “Hellbound Train.”...Hittin' the Note Magazine, June 2008
"This is some of the best British blues rock you are going to hear without going back to the late sixties early seventies bands. Raw blues rock, strong guitar base, never boring, or over indulging solos. The music is always the focus, with good lyrics that tell easy to understand stories. Adding to that authentic sound is the Hammond Organ always giving the songs more depth. Back On My Good Foot starts off with "Infected with the Blues," a great song you should already know if your radio station is doing their job."...A1 Artist Spotlight.com, Dec. 2008
"With so many blues guitarists aping the Vaughns, it's refreshing to hear somebody wear his British blues influences on his sleeve."
"Fowler achieving a fat sound that would do Kim Simmonds proud."
"Road to Nowhere and the Strat-y Walk Softly are good, old-fashioned, unadorned blues." ...Vintage Guitar Magazine, June 2008
"His lyrically and melodically sharp, swampy songs are sung with a dusky, husky edge and his guitar solos stay taut and sharp. He sounds infected with the blues, as one of his tunes is titled, and he's ready to spread the disease."...Creative Loafing, June 2008
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"On his latest release on the Jammates label, he’s sho’ nuff "Back On My Good Foot," and in fine form with ten slabs of guitar-driven blues-rock that not only entertains, but makes one think, as well."
"As a writer, Rick Fowler pens songs that reach out and literally grab the listener by the lapels."
"Add to that his stinging guitar attack and a red-hot backing band, and "Back On My Good Foot" makes for a highly-recommended listen!!!"
...Music City Blues Society, April 6, 2008
"The kind of cat that knows his stuff, doesn’t make a big deal out of it and lets the good times roll. Fun stuff for blues guitar fans ready to let it rock."
...Midwest Record: Entertainment Reviews, March 2008
"Superb musicians and a record label that puts the music first helped Rick capture this magic on tape with his new CD, Back on My Good Foot."
...Blues Festival E Guide, March 28, 2008
"Fowler’s guitar work is potent and he has a rugged, warm vocal style. All of the tracks get a wonderful lift from the Hammond Organ (from Bramblett and Tim “Drawbar” White), which adds a moody ambiance."
"Back On My Good Foot features impressive original songs, wonderful music, and a gifted front man with something profound and original to say, a trait that is becoming rarer and rarer these days. Blues/rock guitar fans will want to get their hands on this one."
...Phoenix Blues Society Blues Bytes Magazine, April 2008
Bio:
Rick has been playing guitar and singing in bands since the age of twelve. He learned to play primarily by listening to early British blues/rock guitarists and American blues players. He has performed with some of the world's top musicians and toured much of Europe and The Mediterranean. Although he has played a number of musical styles with various artists, his deep blues roots can always be clearly heard.
Fowler's earlier bands included Ziggurat, Deacon Little, and Fortnox. Fowler also recorded with pop singer Bertie Higgins, whose hit single Key Largo reached platinum sales in several countries. In 1982, the Fortnox song "Storm Inside My Head" went to number 44 in US Airplay and the band's video reached the top 20 on MTV. The band toured non-stop for a year in support of the record, headlining medium venues and performing in stadiums as the supporting act for top rock acts such as Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, George Thorogood, Joan Jett, The Ramones, The Outlaws, Johnny Van Zant, April Wine, Pat Benetar, and dozens of others. In 1984, Rick's band Bombay recorded an album with legendary British producer Eddie Offord (of John Lennon, Yes, and Emerson, Lake, and Palmer fame) supported by the MTV video "Rumble Tonight".
Rick moved to Athens, Georgia in 1991 after months of touring overseas with the band Bad Fun. He began performing with a number of Athens-based artists, including Ralph Roddenberry, Redneck Greece, and The Lonely White Boys (a band he formed with Drivin' N' Cryin guitarist Buren Fowler, Dreams So Real drummer Drew Worsham, and Normaltown Flyers bassist Greg Veale). He also regularly played guitar in side band projects with Bill Berry (R.E.M.), Dave Schools (Widespread Panic, Government Mule), Randall Bramblett (Traffic), and a number of other top musicians from the area.
With a desire to create a musical endeavor to help support a good cause, Rick put together a band of well-known musicians to perform the first rock concert benefit for Tourette syndrome awareness. Bill Berry, who was at the time retiring from the mega-star band R.E.M., made the show his farewell performance, allowing his drums to be auctioned off for charity at the end of the night. The event received international coverage including MTV, CNN, VH-1, AOL, Rolling Stone, Spin Magazine, and a number of other music news outlets. Welcome Companions, a CD recorded by the benefit concert band, was released by Polyglot Records under the band name Rick Fowler and Friends.
In recent years, Rick played guitar on dozens of CD projects, performed hundreds of shows spanning three countries, and produced and performed the music track for the Sundance Film Festival award-winning movie Dirty Work. In 2006, he got a chance to record with one of his earliest influences; Roland Janes (guitarist for Jerry Lee Lewis and other 50's hitmakers) in Memphis, TN at Sam Phillips Recording.
Rick signed with Jammates Records in 2007 and recorded the CD Back On My Good Foot. With the CD's release in early 2008, Fowler is performing in support of the record.
In honor of Mike Freed - Friday November 6th at 7:00 pm we will be gathering at the Irish Pub on the square in Carrollton to raise a toast in honor of our dearly departed friend. Please make plans to be there.
Thank you for adding me to your list of friends. I really appreciate it.
Oh my gosh!! I listened to you and WOW! I hear a lot of the influences that you mentioned, but I really heard Mark Knopfler. I think I've listened to everything he ever wrote!!! I am truly honored that you took the time to listen to my songs and to write your kind words.
That novel of mine with CD soundtrack due out this fall. Currently writing another novel with soundtrack. Think I need to move to Atlanta to find a slide player.
Wishing you continued success and a wonderful musical weekend. And do, keep in touch.
Have a great weekend, Rick and will be letting people know just how great you are on my Sunday nite radio show "The Lady Plays The Blues" with our interview! My best to you...always.....
