Rik Barron

This, folks, is as close as yer gonna get to a Waylon Jennings kids' album. Newfoundland folk and roots music veteran Rik Barron uses his considerable talents to create Shine, a wonderfully rustic album for children. Barron's quavering baritone is very reminiscent of Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings, and his quiet, almost conversational delivery fits his material perfectly.

Barron's choice of cover songs adds to Shine's quality: Butch Hancock's "My Mind's Got a Mind of its Own," Iris DeMent's "Let the Mystery Be," Duncan Wells' "Shine," the Jimmie Davis classic "Nobody's Darlin but Mine," and a traditional tune made popular by Raffi, "To Everyone in All the World." Banjos, open-tuned guitars, and a strong collection of tunes make Shine a great CD for kids and their grownups. Like Barron's liner notes say, this isn't a party album: gather the family 'round and listen to this one around the fireplace or out on the front porch.
Warren Truitt
August, 04, 2008
- Kid's Music That Rocks

Old Dogs , New Tricks. It refers to that familiar saying that " you can't teach an old dog new tricks. But for noted veteran musicians Rik Barron and Dave Panting, it was a perfect term to title their new CD. The two have played a significant role in the folk music scene of this province.....
This CD is a folk album with expert players, and you can hear their skilled musicianship throughout...... It's an acoustic lover paradise, with a sound that is very gentle to the ear. Old Dogs New Tricks is an album that all folk music lovers will enjoy.Whether you appreciate the musicianship on the instrumentals or their soothing vocal lets hope these Old Dogs have a few more tricks up their sleeves.
Kevin Kelly - The Newfoundland Herald

Barron and his musicians have sculpted a simple, vocal driven folk fable. The 14 tracks feature a mix of some of the east coasts best writers. - Atlantic Gig

Combining an enviable vocal with formidable instrumental talent on banjo and mandolin, Rik has crafted an outstanding concept album (mostly) delineating the history and heritage of seafaring in the Northern latitudes. - Canadian Folk Music Bulletin

It is a good selection of songs, graced by Barron's strong clear voice. The music is well arranged, smoothly executed and bears up to repeated listening. In four syllables " Recommended" - Dirty Linen

Barron and friends got the audience in the mood with high spirited songs. He told stories of old friends, snow, green meadows and the hard life of sealers and whalers. He made us believe that we were there and seeing it for ourselves. A consummate folksinger. - Lahr Zeitung

Rik's deep, rich voice sings and tells stories in a resonant way. With a clear Maritime tinge and a shanty lilt he finds the chemistry necessary to recall the energy that drove folk music during it's most creative years. - Lew Stern

Here is a recording by Rik Barron that is a real pleasure to hear and have out in the world....

One thing that impresses me about Rik's vocal presentation is that he places on each song a stamp of gentle power, whether it be on a light-hearted offering or something quite serious. Barron has a voice capable of soothing ears while at the same time holding the listener's attention to the lyrical content........

It was somewhat refreshing to discover a CD on which the artist doesn't write or compose any of the material, thereby concentrating the creative process on the arrangements of other people's works. From this practise Rik Brron makes his musical statement, and this has helped him to become a very effective song and tune agent....

This album features good balance of instruments on each track, with none of the clutter that results from over produced recordings...

I discovered that on successive listenings, the total package of music really grew on me as new surprises found their way into my ear. If one wants to hear terrific music by a talented music agent with great baritone power, Rik Barron's Quiet Faith of Man is a sure bet.

Barry Luft, Calgary. Alberta


- Canadian Folk Music Bulletin

One new CD that did get some ECMA recognition is Shine, the newest release from Newfoundland’s Rik Barron, which is in competition for children’s recording of the year. Rik is a folk singer and entertainer who has been around the business for years. He is an amazing and very entertaining storyteller. Shine is a collection of 11 cuts, eight songs and three instrumentals geared toward the younger audience but with a great sound that can be enjoyed by young and old alike. There are some nice singalong songs like Bring Me Little Water Sylvie and Pete Seeger’s To Everyone In All The World. There are some humorous numbers with My Mind’s Got A Mind Of It’s Own and classics like Nobody’s Darlin’ But Mine.
There are also those instrumentals that really caught my ear as they often include strange combinations like banjo with cello. I particularly like the way Rik has handled the title cut (written by Cape Breton’s Duncan Wells) and Iris Dement’s Let The Mystery Be, with Rik’s gravelly voice pushing things to the limit.
This is a great CD, not only because of the wonderful vocals, but because of the thoughtfully and carefully arranged instrumentals. The production is excellent and the material is top notch. The only thing that would make it better would be some of those patented Rik Barron stories.
Dan MacDonald
Cape Breton Post
- Cape Breton Post

Rik Barron's CD The Quiet Faith of Man is the kind of record that uplifts the spirit and renews one's faith in simple independent recordings.

A simple yet accomplished project, this collection of mostly-traditional folk songs is enjoyable from start to finish. Clocking in at just over 32 minutes for 12 songs, it never overstays its welcome and leaves the listener wanting more.

Rik Barron comes across as a warm and genuine person, with a rich and weathered voice that's well-suited to simple love songs and traditional odes to his home of Newfoundland. He sings all lead vocals and plays guitars, mandola, mandolin and 5-string banjo with confidence and precision. Perhaps not a songwriter himself, he chooses to showcase the songs of others, including those of his colleague on guitars and mandolins, Dave Panting. Other songwriters represented on the album are Duncan Wells ("From Hopkins Wharf to Havenside," "Sittin' Next to You"), Bill Staines ("The Quiet Faith of Man") and Daniel Master, whose award-winning "No Place for Children" is particularly thoughtful and affecting.

Barron skillfully combines songs and instrumental tracks on the CD, and the instrumental pieces are just as satisfying as the songs. Tony Ellis's "Cherry Blossom Waltz" and "Hand in Hand" are lovely. In addition to Barron and Panting, the band consists of Brian Bourne on bass and backing vocals and Geoff Panting on accordion.

Barron's thoughtful liner notes provide more insight into the project and how it came together. The Quiet Faith Of Man was clearly a joy to produce and that positive spirit carries through to the listener. - Rambles