EAST CRAFTSBURY – Rick Norcross grew up in East Hardwick and beginning in 1963 went on to a 61 year career as a singer, song writer and band leader of Rick and the All Star Ramblers, achieving national and international popularity with some 13 albums and over 1,000 shows. This summer he released a new album, a compilation of 15 of his fan’s choices of their most favorite works from his last eight CDs entitled “The Bestest Songs I Ever Wrote.”
Playing in the Western Swing Band style, his original tunes have upbeat rhythms that make great dance music, as well as engaging melodies combined with well crafted, poetic lyrics that range from the amusing to the heartfelt. In this recording, Rick Norcross does vocals and rhythm guitar, Taryn Noelle vocals, Charlie Mac Fadyen piano, accordion, lap steel guitar, Dono Schabner lead and rhythm guitars, Doug Reid fiddle, Dave Rowell vocals and bass guitar, and Ian Koeller drums, all excellent musicians and singers. The instrumental arrangements by Mac Fadyen are consistently imaginative.
Grouping the songs by subject matter, the humorous ones were, “Don’t Do Me Like That With Your Cowboy Hat,” about an aggressive hat brim; “You Can’t Make It Up,” featuring a formaldehyde perfumed corsage at a high school prom dance; “My Kissing Days Are Over,” bemoaning having to wear a mask during the Covid-19 epidemic; “The Way We’ve Always Done It,” describing how to stick with the old ways and avoid change; and “They Say You Can’t Take It When You Go,” a whimsical list of exceptions.
Vermont themed pieces were, “Moo Cow Milk,” questioning “milk” products that don’t come from cows; Green Mountain Standard Time, expressing nostalgia for home; “I Rode the Ti,” remembering taking the Ticonderoga steam boat across Lake Champlain; and “What Goes Around Comes Around,” feeling the happiness of returning home.
Several love songs were, “Don’t Make Me Beg,” the title being self-explanatory; “Out In The Cold,” the loneliness of the end of a relationship; “Have A Heart,” urging us to help others in need; and “Take Your Time,” suggesting not to rush courting.
Songs inspired by touring, “Lost in Austin,” making music all over the South; and “God Bless The Mighty Pickle,” an homage to the signature 1957 green Starliner coach which the band used for 22 years on performances around the country.
For information on where to obtain a copy of the “Bestest Songs I Ever Wrote,” go online to rickandtheallstarramblers.com.
David K Rodgers is a writer, mason and card-carrying dilettante, who dabbles and babbles in art. He has lived in East Craftsbury for the past 40 years.
David K. Rodgers
David K. Rodgers is a writer, mason and card carrying dilettante, who dabbles and babbles in art. He has lived in East Craftsbury for the past 40 years.
