Album cover artwork; Frankie Bourne. Photo: Carolyn McCoy
Here we are, Lockdown day number “whatever”, and by this point, most of us are cranky, broke, scared, and frustrated. Every one of us has seemingly let go of “the old normal” and we are fast embracing “the new normal”. Sadly that means that we are no longer going out to experience live music in our local clubs and bars. But, alas, there is still music being made and released, probably even more so now than before. And so with that segue, I will tell you a story about this exact subject of making music.
Many moons ago, deep in the heart of West Marin, California, a young man named Frankie Bourne discovered his calling; music. It was in the small town of Nicasio that this man first heard music coming out of the local roadhouse that would greatly influence his life. “I grew up regularly exposed to rootsy, blues-rock bar bands playing at Rancho Nicasio. I loved the sass of blues music, the soul in the stories, the crunchy telecaster guitars, and the attitude-driven grooves,” states Bourne. “A turning point for me was when I was 15. I saw Jackie Greene play a dinner show at Rancho. It was a trio, just Jackie and a cocktail kit rhythm section. I remember having a moment of reverence that night. I was so inspired. This light turned on. It was a moment of monumental clarity. I said to myself: “that is what I want to do”.
Bourne started his musical life on drums and taught himself guitar. As a teen, he began writing songs and has since become an amazing and prolific songwriter. “Lyrics have fortunately always flowed very naturally for me,” states Bourne. “I guess you could say I cull from personal experiences about the basic human condition, about personal experiences that we all share. It's about the shit that makes us human, and characteristically imperfect; relationships, friendships, family, loss, anger, love, curiosity, confusion, envy, jealousy, identity.”
Many moons ago, deep in the heart of West Marin, California, a young man named Frankie Bourne discovered his calling; music. It was in the small town of Nicasio that this man first heard music coming out of the local roadhouse that would greatly influence his life. “I grew up regularly exposed to rootsy, blues-rock bar bands playing at Rancho Nicasio. I loved the sass of blues music, the soul in the stories, the crunchy telecaster guitars, and the attitude-driven grooves,” states Bourne. “A turning point for me was when I was 15. I saw Jackie Greene play a dinner show at Rancho. It was a trio, just Jackie and a cocktail kit rhythm section. I remember having a moment of reverence that night. I was so inspired. This light turned on. It was a moment of monumental clarity. I said to myself: “that is what I want to do”.
Bourne started his musical life on drums and taught himself guitar. As a teen, he began writing songs and has since become an amazing and prolific songwriter. “Lyrics have fortunately always flowed very naturally for me,” states Bourne. “I guess you could say I cull from personal experiences about the basic human condition, about personal experiences that we all share. It's about the shit that makes us human, and characteristically imperfect; relationships, friendships, family, loss, anger, love, curiosity, confusion, envy, jealousy, identity.”
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With three self-produced albums under his guitar strap (Lincoln Heights - 2019, Valley Of Vindication EP - 2017 and Californicana – 2014), Bourne gave birth to his 4th album earlier this year. Wildcards is an Americana-based pile of songs that bridge blues, rock, and country. Recorded at Cotati’s Prairie Sun Studios with Matt Wright, Bourne had much control over the album by producing it himself. “I wrote and arranged all the hooks and melodies for the instrumentation layers,” states Bourne. “I was then able to try to create the sounds I had in my head for each song. I wanted to make another album with proper production value, that was honest but professional, and where I had complete creative control. But every player definitely brought their own sauce to their performance. The highlight for the new album Wildcards was about showcasing the sound and energy of this band that I had come to build in Sonoma County since 2016. The core band of Frankie Bourne & The Wildcards is me, Matt Pasquale (bass, backing vox), Sunil Sharma (lead guitar) and Jeff Nassi (drums)”
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I will wholeheartedly admit that listening to Wildcards for the first time boosted my mood immensely. It was exactly what I needed to hear amid my own fears and worries during this unprecedented time in our world history. From the first song to the last, Wildcards is a wild ride on a refreshing sonic river.
Wildcards opens fast and furious with the fast-paced country romp “I Rode For Miles” and then gently lands on the stunningly beautiful “Listen To The Summer Rain” with its breathtaking guitar melody and lyrics that speak deeply to me, “Living in a life of illusion, this world done got me baffled, no it got me confused, and I'm lost, I'm lost, I'm losing. So listen to the summer rain…” I am very much in love with this song, and it’s been one I have listened to a lot while writing this review. I am a massive fan of Bourne’s guitar work, both on acoustic and electric, as it creates a wonderful cauldron for his personal and heartfelt lyrics, and his voice is soothing, soulful, and powerful. “Looking Up” brings me hope both lyrically and sonically; “Valley Of The Moon” has an Americana groove and a story of a personal landscape. “I’m Good Now”, has a lazy-river vibe, tinkling piano keys and hopeful lyrics of surviving a breakup. “Better Version Of Me” breathes life into my soul by building slowly then bursting to life as soaring guitar, sax and piano rip through my ears.
Wildcards opens fast and furious with the fast-paced country romp “I Rode For Miles” and then gently lands on the stunningly beautiful “Listen To The Summer Rain” with its breathtaking guitar melody and lyrics that speak deeply to me, “Living in a life of illusion, this world done got me baffled, no it got me confused, and I'm lost, I'm lost, I'm losing. So listen to the summer rain…” I am very much in love with this song, and it’s been one I have listened to a lot while writing this review. I am a massive fan of Bourne’s guitar work, both on acoustic and electric, as it creates a wonderful cauldron for his personal and heartfelt lyrics, and his voice is soothing, soulful, and powerful. “Looking Up” brings me hope both lyrically and sonically; “Valley Of The Moon” has an Americana groove and a story of a personal landscape. “I’m Good Now”, has a lazy-river vibe, tinkling piano keys and hopeful lyrics of surviving a breakup. “Better Version Of Me” breathes life into my soul by building slowly then bursting to life as soaring guitar, sax and piano rip through my ears.
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Frankie Bourne is one of my favorite musicians and songwriters. There is something very solid and grounding about his work. I feel that what he does with his music is real and authentic, honest and accessible. He isn’t trying to be a rock star; he is trying to be an artist who wants his music to be heard far and wide.
“For me, I think songwriting isn’t just about writing a piece of music and words to go with it. It’s about maintaining this genuine source of inspiration so you can foster the necessary perseverance to get it done,” states Bourne. “I think you’re more of a shepherd than a writer, guiding the song where it wants to go. You follow what you hear and try things, and somehow you find what sounds right to you. You make a decision, which brings you to the next one. Then the next, and the next. If you’re lucky, it ends up being something that sounds right to a lot of people.”
“For me, I think songwriting isn’t just about writing a piece of music and words to go with it. It’s about maintaining this genuine source of inspiration so you can foster the necessary perseverance to get it done,” states Bourne. “I think you’re more of a shepherd than a writer, guiding the song where it wants to go. You follow what you hear and try things, and somehow you find what sounds right to you. You make a decision, which brings you to the next one. Then the next, and the next. If you’re lucky, it ends up being something that sounds right to a lot of people.”
 all photos: Carolyn McCoy© |  |
Check out Wildcards for yourself!
Frankie's website:
http://www.frankiebourne.com/
YouTube (album playlist):
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lK9bK_Lrj4BfNLk832M8g9CDxirsjXjP8
iTunes & Apple Music:
http://music.apple.com/us/album/wildcards/1494523803
Spotify URL:
http://open.spotify.com/album/6A1j8MV72UFFj3AlIVIAW4?si=9ZkN57aHR92SLRuyoLhv8g
Frankie's website:
http://www.frankiebourne.com/
YouTube (album playlist):
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lK9bK_Lrj4BfNLk832M8g9CDxirsjXjP8
iTunes & Apple Music:
http://music.apple.com/us/album/wildcards/1494523803
Spotify URL:
http://open.spotify.com/album/6A1j8MV72UFFj3AlIVIAW4?si=9ZkN57aHR92SLRuyoLhv8g
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