Rick Gottlieb
Boston, Massachusetts, United States | SELF
Music
Press
"I first heard Rick Gottlieb's gentle and wise song, "The Whisper Of The Road" at the Wildflower Pavilion in Lyon's, CO. It is my favorite on his CD, 'Nobody's Fool', an album full of sweet songs reflecting on the journey of life and love." - Ellis Delaney - Touring Acoustic Artist
"I first heard Rick Gottlieb's gentle and wise song, "The Whisper Of The Road" at the Wildflower Pavilion in Lyon's, CO. It is my favorite on his CD, 'Nobody's Fool', an album full of sweet songs reflecting on the journey of life and love." - Ellis Delaney - Touring Acoustic Artist
The first thought that should come to mind for anyone when Rick Gottlieb’s Nobody’s Fool is inserted into a CD player is “Does James Taylor have another son that I don’t know about?” The answer is no, but Gottlieb could very well pass for it. Not only does he sound like Taylor, but it is clear that Taylor has significantly influenced his musical style.
In “As Young As I Used To Be,” Gottlieb sings about the nostalgia that growing older can produce. He takes note on the circle of life, singing about how his own children and other children are in the same place that he once was in. “I got past that point by and by / perhaps where I am was bound to happen . . .still in all, yes, I’m glad with the results / cause I’ve learned what matters most to me.” In this case, Gottlieb proves that being young at heart is what will get you by.
While Taylor Mesple wrote “Nobody’s Fool”, the song’s guitar parts were arranged by Gottlieb. It obviously had enough meaning to Rick to become the title track of the album, and possesses a light, airy tune that floats the listener daintily through a verse, into the chorus, and into each verse again. Because Gottlieb uses the non-standard guitar tuning of DADGAD on Nobody’s Fool, his sound comes across as having a more old-time, emotive feel, perhaps adding to the poignancy of the album.
“I’m So In Love” is perhaps the gem of this album. The bouncy tune will make you want to go outside on a warm spring day to skip down the street exclaiming, “I’m so in love!” The emotion drips out of Gottlieb’s voice in a way that makes the song simply irresistible: “I want to say (and I’m not being coy) you’re the one I’m dreaming of!” While some lyrics come across as a bit too clichéd, Gottlieb has captured perfectly the emotion experienced by someone who is completely and uncontrollably in love. “Looking For A New Mistake To Make” is an honest song about love and “a simple twist of chance.” Gottlieb sings about all of the chance happenings that lead us to where we are today and those that will potentially lead us to our future mistakes. He sings, “Now you’ve got me all turned around, and I’m looking for a new mistake to make.”
It seems like a very bold move for Gottlieb to have recorded three traditional songs (“The Water Is Wide,” “O Danny Boy,” and “America The Beautiful”) for his first 12-song album. When recording his or her own version of a famous song, artists run the risk of either making too many changes to the song or of making the song sound like every other version ever recorded. Gottlieb, however, manages to do neither of these. Each song is dispersed evenly through the album and is of beautiful quality. On “America the Beautiful,” for instance, he adds just enough of his personal sound to make the song interesting without butchering it in the process.
Although Gottlieb uses only his voice and his trusty guitar for the album, there is really no desire on the listener’s part to hear anything extra. The simplicity of the album helps to pay reverence to Gottlieb’s exceptional guitar talent. This is a man that needs to be watched very closely in the near future.
Review by Alec Cunningham
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
- Alec Cunningham
The first thought that should come to mind for anyone when Rick Gottlieb’s Nobody’s Fool is inserted into a CD player is “Does James Taylor have another son that I don’t know about?” The answer is no, but Gottlieb could very well pass for it. Not only does he sound like Taylor, but it is clear that Taylor has significantly influenced his musical style.
In “As Young As I Used To Be,” Gottlieb sings about the nostalgia that growing older can produce. He takes note on the circle of life, singing about how his own children and other children are in the same place that he once was in. “I got past that point by and by / perhaps where I am was bound to happen . . .still in all, yes, I’m glad with the results / cause I’ve learned what matters most to me.” In this case, Gottlieb proves that being young at heart is what will get you by.
While Taylor Mesple wrote “Nobody’s Fool”, the song’s guitar parts were arranged by Gottlieb. It obviously had enough meaning to Rick to become the title track of the album, and possesses a light, airy tune that floats the listener daintily through a verse, into the chorus, and into each verse again. Because Gottlieb uses the non-standard guitar tuning of DADGAD on Nobody’s Fool, his sound comes across as having a more old-time, emotive feel, perhaps adding to the poignancy of the album.
“I’m So In Love” is perhaps the gem of this album. The bouncy tune will make you want to go outside on a warm spring day to skip down the street exclaiming, “I’m so in love!” The emotion drips out of Gottlieb’s voice in a way that makes the song simply irresistible: “I want to say (and I’m not being coy) you’re the one I’m dreaming of!” While some lyrics come across as a bit too clichéd, Gottlieb has captured perfectly the emotion experienced by someone who is completely and uncontrollably in love. “Looking For A New Mistake To Make” is an honest song about love and “a simple twist of chance.” Gottlieb sings about all of the chance happenings that lead us to where we are today and those that will potentially lead us to our future mistakes. He sings, “Now you’ve got me all turned around, and I’m looking for a new mistake to make.”
It seems like a very bold move for Gottlieb to have recorded three traditional songs (“The Water Is Wide,” “O Danny Boy,” and “America The Beautiful”) for his first 12-song album. When recording his or her own version of a famous song, artists run the risk of either making too many changes to the song or of making the song sound like every other version ever recorded. Gottlieb, however, manages to do neither of these. Each song is dispersed evenly through the album and is of beautiful quality. On “America the Beautiful,” for instance, he adds just enough of his personal sound to make the song interesting without butchering it in the process.
Although Gottlieb uses only his voice and his trusty guitar for the album, there is really no desire on the listener’s part to hear anything extra. The simplicity of the album helps to pay reverence to Gottlieb’s exceptional guitar talent. This is a man that needs to be watched very closely in the near future.
Review by Alec Cunningham
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
- Alec Cunningham
Artist: Rick Gottlieb
Album: Nobody’s Fool
Review by Bobby Jo Valentine
The first thing that people are going to think when they listen to this guy’s guitar playing is “Holy cow, this guy’s amazing.”
Rick Gottlieb talks about the pains of growing older in the first track “As Young As I Used to Be,” a bittersweet song with some wonderful guitar playing. “It seemed so wrong to me now/worked so hard to reach 43/I’d take back all of those years if I could/but I guess I’m not as young as I used to be.” Although some things aren’t as fiery as they were when he was younger, Rick places value on the lessons he’s learned and is thankful for the memories he used to have. It is a wonderful kick-off to the album and really shows the listener what Rick is capable of.
A swirling, thoughtful feel starts off “But For Your Love” and it has some incredible songwriting along with a beautiful chorus. Rick explores the dark places he would be without the love of his life. “There but for your love I am/Caught between the earth and the sky/and can my life begin again/There but for your love go I.” Haunting, beautiful, and carrying the listener along with its tale, “But for Your Love” is a track that will make its way to any listener’s top 25 Most Played on iTunes. “Nobody’s Fool” is a pretty easy listening track, getting the listener nodding along to the relaxed R&B-styled rhythm and singing along to the chorus: “She’s amazing, life is cruel/and lonely, but I’ll be nobody’s fool.” It’s amazing how well the guitar and Rick’s vocals fill up the track without feeling empty or needing other instruments, and shows you just how talented Rick is with a guitar. A great question is asked in the song: “Is it better to be somebody’s nothing than to be nobody’s fool?” Fun, light, and breezy, “Nobody’s Fool” is a wonderful title track.
“Oh Danny Boy” is a good old Irish cover, but comes and goes without too much to remember. “I’m So in Love” will get anybody listening smiling and snapping along to its light, fun tone, and makes up for some cliché lyrics. “You’re the one that makes my sun rise/just by looking into your eyes.” However, Rick is redeemed by a sincere, powerful vocal performance and the sheer, sugary sweetness of the track. Just don’t make your listener eat too much, Rick, or they’ll get cavities. Rick talks about having a constant string of miraculous accidents in “Looking For A New Mistake to Make.” “Just ask anyone you want, cause it happens everyday/You’re walking fast to reach your goal just to find it’s the other way.” This is another memorable track, bringing fresh ideas and language to the theme of fate.
“The Water is Wide” is one of the most beautiful Irish tunes out there, and Rick covers it well, crooning through the powerful lyrics with grace and allowing his guitar-playing to carry the listener, eyes closed, through the story of love and commitment.
A powerful tribute to what one man and his guitar can do, Rick’s album “Nobody’s Fool” is beautiful, stirring, emotional, and will linger long in a listener’s memory after the last guitar notes dwindle into the distance.
Review by Bobby Jo Valentine
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
- Bobby Jo Valentine
"I love the groove and lyric of 'As Young As I Used To Be'. I love the textures and vocal on 'But For Your Love'. I love the energy of 'I'm So In Love'. You're incredibly talented and your CD is fantastic. Wonderful songs, beautiful arrangements, haunting vocals. Just gorgeous." - Kathrin Shorr and Tim Burlingame
"I love the groove and lyric of 'As Young As I Used To Be'. I love the textures and vocal on 'But For Your Love'. I love the energy of 'I'm So In Love'. You're incredibly talented and your CD is fantastic. Wonderful songs, beautiful arrangements, haunting vocals. Just gorgeous." - Kathrin Shorr and Tim Burlingame
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
Rick's been playing guitar and singing for longer than he can remember been playing guitar. But while getting a degree in voice and performance from SUNY-Binghamton, he fell in love with a woman with blazing hazel-green eyes, and nothing has been the same since! Ultimately, Rick settled down in the Boston area, spending building his skills as a guitarist and recording musician waiting for the right time to emerge on the music scene.
And that time arrived! Music is a persistent muse who doesn't let go of her followers easily. And so, here he is once more, creating music all but designed for a listening room. Music that can quiet an otherwise noisy room by the sound of his remarkable tenor voice and fingerstyle guitar chops. The kind of music that can lift a flagging heart and move the soul in directions that the listener never anticipated.
Rick's original music is influenced by other singer/songwriters like James Taylor, David Wilcox, Susan Werner and Jackson Browne. It speaks to audiences both young, old and somewhere in between, who enjoy music of both style and substance.
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