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COMSTOCK
RECORDS - May
1999 Cowboys & Indians-July 2000 Art to Call
Your Own
The New West - by Lynn Pyne Visions of the American West have captivated
artists since the early 1800's, when Lewis and Clark returned
from an expedition into a supposed "wasteland" with
astonishing reports of rich resources and exotic
civilizations. In a world without nightly television news,
people counted on artists to record the amazing sights being
discovered in the region.
REINE RIVER lives her life the way Westerners did years ago, though she was actually born and raised in France. She dresses the part, she is an acclaimed western photographer and artist who has had her work displayed in the Gene Autry Museum, she writes songs and poetry, which she performs to a musical backdrop. ĪBuckinā Heartā has nine of these poems, all interesting, atmospheric stories of the west narrated in the style of the old cowboy and featuring the music of fiddler Brantley Keams (formerly with Dwight Yoakam), guitar/dobro picker Greg Leisz, guitarist Jimmy Lauderdale and harmonica player David McKelvy. Reineās knowledge of her subject, gained on extensive travels in the Southwest, and delivery make this compelling listening. ĪThe only singing group alive who I feel sound like the original Sons Of The Pioneersā.
Night Life - by Tom Farrell The Bardot Cowgirls, Melba Toast and Reine River put together a great multi-visual performance art display incorporating songs, slides, poetry and provocative costumes that created an overall captivating effect. This Thursday eve was really a night to kick up the ol' boots and swing as the Anti-Club presented the "Grand Ol Anti-Country Christmas Jamboree." Country artist Reine River charmed the audience with her unique blend of poetry and country ballads. Decked in leather chaps with her golden locks flowing. Reine was definitely a soothing sight for any cowboys eyes. Her beautiful lyrics could've picked a twang off any heartstring that night and the audience yearned for more after she ended her set.
Reine River is a Los Angeles-based painter and photographer who just recently began writing and reciting what has become known as cowboy poetry. River said her father owns a ranch in California and that her painting and photography have taken her to work on some of the largest ranches in the country. She often writes poetry from what she paints and photographs. "The cowboy poetry is just an extension of my art," she said. She has recently begun reciting with background music and performing in clubs. "It's well-accepted in some of the rock 'n' roll and country Western Clubs in Los Angeles," she said. One of the poems River recited Saturday is called "Passing Time." It was written, she said, after a painting she made of a scene in which cowboys out on a branding were relaxing on Father's day 1986. "It's folk art," she said. "When my paintings or photographs are displayed my poems are displayed beside them." The poetry Saturday ran from humorous to poignant. It was all clean. And the themes were as predictable as those in a honky-tonk song. Where the honky-tonk singer sings about drinking or being done wrong, the cowboy poet writes about his horse and dog, his beloved cows, his blue jeans and his pickup truck.
...The Ladies and Gentlemen, the main event. Five go-rounds of love struck but savvy Cowgirl poetry from Western Impressionist artist, Reine "Roanie" River. And especially for the drinkin' and thinkin' pleasure of this damn near packed house she brought along Brantley Kerns (who fiddles around with Dwight Y.) and Christina the Ghost Rancher on guitar (Ghost Ranchers never eat their own beef). This was one of the most haunting yet warm readings anyone's ever gonna hear this side of the mountains. One listens to this sort of poetry with their heart, it's deeply personal - like readin' your old love letters to someone far away. And the spirit of Woody Guthrie entered the room when Reine did the talkin' blues "Leavin' the Chutes" talkin' 'bout "my old buckin' heart". So that was pretty different.
If the smell of sage and creosote triggers a yearning for the life under the big sky rather than the big skyscrapper, then you might want to consider a career as a neo-western poet. Some of you may think I'm kiddin' but I ain't friend. While not new, this is a growing trend in the country scene, and usually, once-a-month at the Anti-Club, Reine River hosts a western show and includes some poetry in the program. It is called the Grand Ole Anti after the famous Opry of Nashville, naturally. Thursday I arrived late and left early, so I witnessed only three of the many acts that Reine posted for the evening, includung Kerry Hansen and Joyce Woodson. Reine followed Woodson's performance with what she describes as "Buckin' Heart Cowgirl Poetry" accompanied by several musicians: fiddle player, guitar, drobo and harmonica. Cowgirl poetry is like a theatrical voice-over or more appropriately, with the addition of music, radio theater of the mind. If you close your eyes, you will overhear letters to a distant loved one or the daily diary of a young woman describing her perceptions of what could almost be another world, were we not reminded of where we are when a police or ambulance siren screams past the club. Yet it is compelling to think of this neoromantic world of the cowpoke, still living the old fashioned range life in the modern age of the space shuttle and Iran-contra scandals.
I thought it would be interesting to share some exciting information on Reine River and her great new album { Buckin' Heart " which our company is promoting across Europe. In just a few short weeks Reine's album is being played in Europe, Scandinavia and the UK. DJ's and Media are taken back by this surprisingly different approach to Country/Western music. Vivid cowgirl Poetry set to top C&W music tracks gives the listener a great insight into this emerging act who is also a very accomplished in the area of Western paintings. Her work graces the pages of many top Southwestern oriented magazines. Many of our European DJ friends have fallen in love with Reine's album and we hope you'll also find some rewarding experiences in it. Comstock is currently { Indie Label } of the year by the CMA of Europe. We take pride in finding emerging acts like Reine for promotion across the booming Euro markets.
Arriving in America as a young girl from France, Reine River developed a great passion for travel. This wanderlust has lasted her entire life and has brought her to the great open plains of the American west, where she has uncovered the true meaning of life on the range. Through numerous cultures and environments she pursued her passion for traveling and for art. From rodeos to ranch life River captures and expresses her experiences through her colorful paintings and photographs. "For many years I have traveled all over the Southwest, I started to photograph rodeo cowboys and cowgirls both behind the scene and in action. I soon found myself cantering towards another avenue, the American ranch family, and the beauty of the open spaces from which they lived in," says River. Over the last 20 years she has had numerous exhibits in the United States as well as overseas. She has a masters degree in fine arts and has lectured and taught at universities across California. Her work is presently being collected throughout the U.S. and she is currently represented by New Alchemy Gallery in Los Angeles. River plans to exhibit in Jackson Hole, Wyo., later this year at a new gallery in the works. Not only does River love to paint but she also writes. Her poems and stories, like her paintings, depict her life as she lives it. "A lifestyle of a very independent, free spirited, and devoted horsewoman," describes River. She has also completed a joining of her poetry with music. Her work has been recorded and she has performed live at the Gene Autry Museum in California, the Western Music Association in Arizona, and cowboy poetry shows throughout the country. |
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