Hydraulic Groove

Rick 'L. A. Holmes' Holmstrom, Rick Holmstrom | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 16, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Tone Cool
• ASIN: B0000695VA
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #153,098 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #83 in Music > Indie Music > Blues > Contemporary Blues

Track Listings

1. These Roads

2. Bobo the Hobo

3. Last to Know

4. Pee Wee's Nightmare

5. Shake It, Part 2

6. My Maria

7. Back it Up

8. Gravy

9. Harlan Shuffle

10. Tell Me

11. I'm Gone

12. Roll Tape (with John Medeski)

13. Shake It, Part 2 (DJ Logic Remix)

14. Knock Yourself Out (Genome Remix)

15. Hamp's Hump (with John Medeski)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Miss This!, August 2, 2002

By 

deepbluereview "deepbluereview" (SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hydraulic Groove (Audio CD)

Rick Holmstrom might well receive an award for the most innovative blues CD released this year. This CD has a little bit of everything and, while some of the songs may not hold up well over the years, it's an innovative approach to the blues nonetheless. The CD opens with "These Roads" which contains a sampling of Robert Ward's "Hot Stuff" and is accompanied by looping guitars bits, a talking introduction by Johnny Dyer, a nice drum beat with organ accompaniment and the vocals of Holmstrom. In contrast, "Bobo the Hobo" is an instrumental and "Last To Know" is a rocking blues number both stripped down to just the guitar, drums, organ and bass. Things get a little more diverse with the appropriately titled instrumental, "Pee Wee's Nightmare" featuring some backward played guitar solo' with, what best can be described as, a schizophrenic feel to it. "Shake It Part 2" returns to essentially the same formula used on the first track, this time with a sampling of a Rufus Thomas speech made during a WC Handy award ceremony. "My Maria" is highlighted by a driving drum beat and Holmstrom's guitar. While "Back It Up" adds some jazz horns to the mix. "I'm Gone" with its 60's rhythm together with "Gravy" and "Harlan Shuffle" are a little more traditional and, in comparison to what else is here, somewhat mundane. To round out the CD, the disc contains four bonus tracks. Two of those tracks, "Roll Up" and "Hamp's Hump" are outstanding and lean toward the fusion side of jazz thanks to John Medeski on the organ. The other two tracks are essentially a remix of "Shake It, Part 2", and the funky "Knock Yourself Out". There is a lot to like here on this rather eclectic mix. Highly recommended!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WELL.......IT'S DIFFERENT!, January 23, 2003

By 

Patrick Earley (Edmond, Oklahoma USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hydraulic Groove (Audio CD)

When I see words like "samples" and "loops" in music, it usually sends me scurrying the other way. But I will make exceptions. Especially if it's as talented an artist as Rick Holmstrom using these studio tricks. But it's Holmstrom's awesome guitar that really makes this project work. The disc opens with Homstrom's old blues partner in crime Johnny Dyer, telling us to "fasten your seatbelts and put your hands together one time". Then he goes into a funky blues number complete with an alternating lo-fi hi-fi beat. I'm not sure about the Lo, but I liked the Hi-Fi. He then he goes into "Bobo The Hobo". This is a cool rockin' blues/r&b number that also features a very Booker T. and the Mg's style organ. Excellent. "Pee Wee's Nightmare" is one of the showcase songs here. There is all this looping, samples, great sax, big drums, and everything else going on at one time. And then Holmstrom comes out of all this glorious noise smokin' on the guitar with some of the funkiest licks that he's ever laid down. This is west coast sounding guitar at it's best. For me, this song was a clear standout here. That doesn't mean there isn't more neat stuff to come. I liked the ultra-funky "Shake It Part 2" that again features some of that excellent Booker T like organ work. I enjoyed "My Maria" for it's big drum beat that sounds almost exactly like Tommy James "Mony Mony". "Back It Up" is a little different. It has a Ska-like horn section that trades licks with Holmstrom's guitar throughout. Combine that with the samples and loops, and if it's something different your lookin' for, don't go no further. He slows it down a bit on "Harlan Shuffle" this time sharing the spotlight with Genome on keyboards and Holmstrom noodling around him on guitar. Very tasty. The 2 most straight ahead blues numbers here are "Tell Me" and especially I'm Gone" which is the only song that he doesn't use any sound effects. The rest of this cd is about 20 minutes of bonus tracks. Most of this is throw away stuff which is just to loopy and repetitive for my taste. However the last track here called "Hamp's Hump" is a killer. It features John Medeski from the popular jazz band Medeski, Martin, and Wood on organ. And some Spanish sounding horn work from the outstanding sax player Ronald Dziubia. 8 minutes of acid funk ala Meters plus the added bonus of one of Holmstrom's best guitar solos on the album. A great way to end this latest mind-bending effort by Homstrom. He's crafted a unique artwork here that might even be considered groundbreaking. But note to other players wanting to try this: It takes a pretty special talent to pull these loops and samples off without sounding like your typical everyday hip-hop artist. And remember Holmstrom is the best west coast blues player out there. Something tells me the six stringers out there are already lining up for Genome to produce their next album. Meanwhile pick this up and see how it was done right the first time. Highly recommended!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bringing It All Back Holmes, September 12, 2002

By 

Patrick Roe "Death Roe" (Newtown, PA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hydraulic Groove (Audio CD)

This is a fantastic, contemporary, funky blues album. It sounds like a mix of Stevie Ray/Johnny A./North Miss. All-Stars/Beck. Despite his southern California origins (not exactly a hot-bed for blues activity), it really is an aptly-named title, 'cause he's definitely gonna get you going. Of the 15, or so, cuts, there are only 3 tunes that don't quite hit the mark and the rest cook with either hypnotic funky grooves, or rippin' ferocity. It's a high energy modern twist that keeps a traditional blues feel. Highly recommended. Treat yourself to some new music and sample this modern blues gem!