Check out the premiere of ‘Big Rain is Comin’ Mama’, the new video from Rick Shea. The veteran Southern Californian singer-songwriter describes it as “…a nice country two-step about impending doom, maybe set somewhere along the south coast of Texas – Louisiana. A friend of mine said Buck Owen’s music was sad songs you could dance to, this one is maybe not as sad as it is a bit of a warning. Most of the songs on this album were at least started in one way or another when I began recording, some from a few years back, but this song came to me during the recording and pretty quickly, another reflection on these turbulent times we’re living in.” With an apocalyptic lyric, it’s a timely release in our crazy world. The song has an authentic sound and an excellent vocal from Shea, which is no surprise for a singer compared to the great Merle Haggard. Shea’s pedal steel and David Jackson’ accordion are also highlights. ‘Big Rain is Comin’ Mama’ is taken from Shea’s twelfth studio album, due for release on 12th February.
Shea began sessions for ‘Love & Desperation’ back in 2019 but, inevitably, the process was interrupted by the pandemic. Shea reflects on putting the album together: “Every album feels like sort of milestone or a marker for where you are at that time, musically and in life in general. I feel very fortunate to have been able to play music for most of my life, I am beginning to think of things I’d like to be remembered for, and this album would be one of them.” The album benefits from a selection of top-class collaborators, including the likes of Shawn Nourse on drums (I See Hawks in LA, Dwight Yoakam); Phil Parlapiano of Dead Rock West on accordion and organ; and Skip Edwards on keys (Dwight Yoakam). The new songs cover a range of roots sounds from rockabilly and country to blues and Cajun two-step. Rick Shea crafts songs of the highest quality and the new material shows he is still on top form. Enjoy.
