Search - Rainer Ptacek and Das Combo :: Barefoot Rock with Rainer and Das Combo

Rainer, The Legend

S. D. Cavendish | London, UK | 06/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mention the name Rainer Ptácèk to a lover of original contemporary blues or National Steel guitars and there will be an awed silence. Rainer was revered. Rainer died too young of an unoperable brain tumor on November 12, 1997 in Tucson, Arizona. He released four albums during his lifetime: "Worried Spirits" and "Texas Tapes" (originally available on Demon and since deleted) and "Barefoot Rock" and "Nocturnes" (Glitterhouse). His musician friends, including Howe Gelb, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Emmylou Harris and Jonathan Richman, released a benefit album of his songs, 'The Inner Flame' (Atlantic), recorded whilst he was still alive and able to participate. All are treasures in my collection. Happiness is that three previously unrelased albums of Rainer's work will be released in 2000.On 'Barefoot Rock', originally released in 1986 and then re-released in 1994 with four new tracks, Rainer is accompanied by Nick Augustine on bass and Ralph Gilmore on drums on tracks 1-3, recorded in 1992. Tracks 4-14 were recorded in 1985 with Augustine on bass, Will Clipman on drums and produced by Howe Gelb (now of Giant Sand). This is rough-rocking mix of delta and urban blues with tracks as diverse as the opening Mellow Down Easy (Willie Dixon), Around and Around (J.B. Lenoir) The Last Fair Deal (Robert Johnson). Rainer's funky blues groove on his The Unseen Enemy is moodily unsettling, raw and sparse. In Around and Around and That's How Things Get Done, his National Steel guitar is at it's most vibrant, meanwhile all through the album the chugging rhythm section punches it forward. It may be white blues but It's gritty and edgy and Rainer's voice, not known for it's clarity, is ideosynchratic and perfect for what he's saying. It's impossible for me not give give Rainer five stars. His collected works will stand as a landmark for a man who quietly lived the blues and by doing so influenced all those whose path he crossed."

Very underappreciated blues

DrDanny | 09/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rainer Ptacek was a very approachable, unassuming man. He spent his days working on guitars in the basement of the Chicago Store in Tucson, Arizona. Nothing in his personality would lead you to believe that he was possessed of immense talent as a blues singer and guitarist. He was uterly without pretense. So was his music. This album provides a glimpse of his extraordinary ability.The album covers a great deal of ground, blues-wise, from Robert Johnson to original compositions. The quality of his guitar playing (on a National steel guitar, I believe)is of the highest. His somewhat quirky voice is not the greatest you've ever heard but, like Dylan's, no other voice will quite do. It's a perfect, soulful fit.Rainer's untimely passing was a true tragedy. His albums are becoming increasingly rare, so grab this one while you have the chance."