Customer Reviews

The Rainmakers

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Buy this CD, read the lyric sheet and listen to it without interruptions. It will blow you away. Every song is powerful, cathcy, poetic. This band should have sold millions. They would have been a perfect touring counterpart to bands like R.E.M., U2, the Jayhawks. My all-time favorite record. I've probably heard it 100 times. Intelligent, electric, explosive, and humorous - simultaneously. It's the reason why my username is "Downstream", which is the title of the second track on the disc. The Rainmakers literally changed my life when I was 16 years old and altered my outlook towards music. It made me realize how good music can be and still not get radio play. Discover the magic.

This is The Rainmakers debut album which spawned 2 minor hits "Downstream" and "Let My People Go-Go". They should really re-release this classic album. This band was way ahead of it's time. Check out www.rainmakers.com for more info on this great band.

This song is a story of a night a small town farm boy got out of High School and moved on to College or jobs or what ever. I to lived that night laying on the ground looking at the stars, drinking a few beers by the campfire with my friends, pondering what was going to happen with our lives. This song brings that night back like I was living it today.

Great CD by an EVEN BETTER band, much like RUSH, these guys are Poets of society, and our interactions with one another.

My Favorite CD of ALL TIME....

I saw these guys years ago (mid 80's) and was blown away by there performance.....they were opening for Berlin ("Take my Breath Away)....It was an odd pairing....but these guys stole the show...I wished there set wouldn't have ended.....The frontman was charismatic and theatrical, totally commanding your attention....the music was nothing like I had ever heard before.....feeling nostalgic and familiar yet new and exciting....I can't believe these guys are still somewhat underground...... I love these guys......It's very rootsy and unpolished by todays standards but that only adds to it's appeal.
Some major issues are tackled in some of the songs but generally it's just a feel good album. Put it on when the sky is clear....the sun is shining.....and you're heading out on the road to anywhere.
Major highlights include .... Downstream ...... government cheese.... and most powerfully " information"...
Give it a listen

I first heard this band back in the 80s when their song "Let My People Go" hit the charts. I liked the song so much that I purchased the album. The Rainmakers are talented musicians and like many bands have something to say. What really caught my attention was that unlike so many bands that simply "gripe", The Rainmakers include their opinion as to a fix! Then when you're thinking this band is serious they throw in "Big Fat Blonde". You have to remove your PC hat to enjoy this one, but it shows the band doesn't take themselves too seriously. In my opinion that is a good trait.

They cover topics from America's decline in technology and production quality (Rockin' at the T-Dance); Drugs and Drinking (Doomsville, Information, Drinkin' on the Job); Regret and missed opportunity (The One That Got Away); Welfare and Nanny States (Government Cheese); Living life (Let My People Go); and personal reflection (Long Gone Long, Carpenter's Son). Their points are timeless and their solutions are a mix of liberal and conservative perspectives. There's ideas for everyone to both agree and disagree. When you wrap this up with a very solid band and the unique timbre of Bob Walkenhorst's voice you have music that is as enjoyable as it is thought provoking. Just remember to crank it up when you take a tour of Missouri (where the band calls home) with Downstream.

Great CD
Most songs are excellent with only one or two songs that are not that good.
Band has a southern rock style that I really liked. IMO

Kansas City, Mo. rock band The Rainmakers debuted in (1986) #85, is one of the midlands best rock and roll outfits that came out in quite a long time. "The Rainmakers is such a solid disc it's hard which song song is the best, so lets exam the record.

"Rockin' At The T-Dance"- "1,2,3,"- About the Hyatt disaster in Kansas City when a walkway collapsed and killed 114 people in 1981. For such a horrific event, this is one catchy rocker. Great horns.

"Downstream"- "Hand me that bottle,and mind your own business". Great song, Mark Twain, Harry Truman and Chuck Berry 3 missouri natives sailing downstream.

"Let My People Go-Go" - "Why's everyone picking on me". First single, did o.k. in the midwest. #18 in the U.K.

"Doomsville"- "Hitch-Hike" Excellent riff-rocker, great guitar by Steve Phillips.

"Big Fat Blonde"- "I want a big fat blonde to keep this skinny boy from blowing away in the wind". A fan favorite,
everybody loved this song at parties back in the day. Great guitar workout, Bob's vocals say it all here.

"Long Gone Long"- "Man these clocks are slow". Roots rocker, small town life said perfectly.

"The One That Got Away"- "In my wildest dreams". Nice little tune, one of their simple tunes.

"Government Cheese"- "Decline and fall". Caused a lot of blacklash in New York City at one of their concerts in "86. Must of been a lot of unemployed people at the concert?

"Drinkin' On The Job"- "The farmer he got plowed". Great song about being drunk, excellent lyrics. "The generation that was going to change the world, is still looking for it's car keys".

"Nobody Knows"- "Aint' that right". Steve Phillips sings this bluesie tune. Great slide guitar.

"Information"- "Thanks for the information, but no thanks, cause information has got your number too". Good message song, nice new wavy sounding song.

I saw these guys during a 1986 tour with Kansas, in Salina,Kansas, they put on a great little show for 45 minutes. They outdid Kansas that night for sure! In around 6 months they would release "Tornado".

The Band consisted of:
Rich Ruth -Bass
Pat Tomek- Drums
Steve Phillips- Guitar and Vocals
Bob Walkenhorst-Lead vocals and Guitar

saw these guys as a trio - steve, bob and rich - in kansas city in the 80's. they were running the bar circuit around there, always a favorite to go see. this cd lets them rock, get funky, make some subtle social statements, mix in a little blues, and mostly have fun. if you can find it, get a hold of it.

Would not purchase another item from Newbury Comics did not arrive when promised July 21 sent a second via priority mail which wrrived in three days.The point I have a hard time in understanding is why three weeks for dilvery from the east coast to the midwest I could have drove there faster than that.Will be more alert when shopping with Amazon.com.

This was the 1st time I've ordered from MicksMuse and I was very impressed with the speed of the delivery. The quality of the used CD was excellent too; like new.
I recommend them highly and will certainly use them again.