Music
Press
Ryan quotes Rick "I like the freedom of going where the song takes me. Every time you play, you hope to get it better than the last time. You hope to raise the bar," Rourke said. "It feels good to give it all every night." - Saratoga Today
Rick Rourke has the soul of a grizzled poet. Rourke’s as straightforward as they come, his music is honest and passionate with sparks of quick humor and human drama.” - Indie-Music.com
“An intensely crafted socially conscious disc ‘Blown Away’ is a station favorite and in rotation here at WSPN.” - Skidmore College WSPN Radio
With the Lost Wages project, too, Rourke delves more deeply into socio-political territory, reflecting the early 21st century American climate. - The Daily Gazette
Rick Rourke established himself as one of the Capital Region's most soulful rock vocalists during his long tenures with the Out Of Control Rhythm and Blues Band and the Bluz House Rockers. Last year, Rourke grabbed the spotlight (and the artist control) for himself with the release of his gritty, soul-soaked solo CD, "Lost Wages," and it didn't take him long to put together a band of the same name to play the tunes on the disc. Rough- and-tumble roots music in the vein of Chuck Berry, John Hiatt or Willie Dixon, Rick Rourke and Lost Wages crank it out at 8 p.m. at Caffe Lena (47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs). - Times Union Preview
"Caffè Lena brings to Saratoga world-class songwriters from all
over the US and Europe. Once in a while we find an artist of that caliber right in our own back yard. Rick Rourke and Lost Wages is a perfect example." - Caffe Lena
As the closer to the triple-bill, Rick Rourke fronted his band Lost Wages, pointing out to the crowd that he and his group would have been just as proud to have been the opener, rather than the headliner. It isn’t about star-power or popularity when it comes to Rourke; it’s all about the music. Whether co-fronting the Bluz House Rockers, the Out Of Control Rhythm & Blues Band or his own outfit, Rourke is a superbly soulful vocalist, a great guitarist and an intuitive R&B saxophonist-harpist. With the aid of former Lonnie Brooks guitarist Larry Clyman, bassist Lucas Ruedy and drummer Doug Kline, Rourke and company brought the house down with their dynamic, high-energy songs.
Andrejz Pilarcyk - Nippertown.com
Rick Rourke @ TJ’s Flightline Pub, Scotia on January 20. Rick Rourke is one of my favorite musicians in the world. Not only does he have an incredible blues voice, super guitar chops and a monster R & B saxophone sound, but Rick is one of the most passionate-about-music musicians you’ll ever meet. He and his band Lost Wages had just played an Obama inauguration party. It was past 10 p.m. The band was packing away their gear, and Rick looked at me and said, ‘I’m going to a blues jam. You want to go? Grab your camera.’ Playing to a packed house, the jam went way past midnight. Rick’s saxophone transformed the room.
Andrejz Pilarcyk - Nippertown.com
Discography
The" Lost Wages" CD was released in June of 2006 and is available on cdbaby.com. The CD is also available at Borders Books and Music and Coles Woodwind and Brass both located in Saratoga Springs, NY. The 1996 release with Out of Control Rhythm & Blues Band was produced by Eddie Kramer. Visit Rickrourke.com for tracks.
Photos
Bio
Rick Rourke was born in Troy, New York, the son of an insurance man who had a knack for writing prose. As one of six siblings, he would often retreat to the privacy of his room and study the sounds of Bob Dylan, The Animals, and the British Blues Bands who were starting to take hold in the US at the time. Rick taught himself to play along with the music first on an old beat up guitar, and later moving on to harmonica and saxophone. Shortly after developing his own instrumental style he began focusing on his voice – and oh - what a voice! In the words of Neil Diamond, “the human voice is more than just a sound, it is the soul itself” and Rourke’s soulful voice can easily be compared to that of Diamond, Van Morrison, or David Clayton-Thomas from the group BS & T (Blood, Sweat & Tears).
After years of performing in two notable northeastern rock, funk and blues bands, Rick finally took control of his own musical destiny with the release of his first solo CD entitled “Lost Wages.” A dedicated songwriter, Rick shows his many colors through out the recording with his thought provoking lyrics, and his memorable melodies. The band delivers up an energetic and unique perspective on American roots music flavored by blues, country, jazz, and soul.
Rick’s other musical influences including Chuck Berry, Willy Dixon, and Cannonball Adderly, can easily be detected on several of the tracks. Also, his years serving as one of the lead vocalists’ for the “Out of Control Rhythm and Blues Band” and “Bluz House Rockers” has provided the necessary groundwork to venture out on his own. Rourke’s vocal power is unrelenting and the real deal when experienced in live performance. Take the ride with Rick Rourke and the Lost Wages Band; I promise, you won’t be disappointed.
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