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Like the Crimson Ride, "Titanic," the movie, and the hills of La Conchita, the RINCON RAMBLERS just keep rolling on. Sunday, the quintet will reassemble for its monthly gig at 66 California, Ventura's eclectic showcase for jazz and forms that don't fit the convenient radio market niche mentality. "To really see' the band, you have to sit through two or three sets," explains guitarist and mandolin player DAN WILSON. "We do everything from '60s rock to classic older tunes to traditional Irish tunes." When "Titanic" was still being conceptualized by director James Cameron, the Ramblers cut "Irish Medley," a composite tune comprised of: "Blarney Pilgrim," "Out on the Ocean" and "Drowsy Maggie," for its 1997 debut CD "The Green Rolling Hills of La Conchita." As luck, or something else, would have it, the exact rendition is featured in the pivotal dance scene in the blockbuster film. Hey, nobody's complaining in the Ramblers camp. They've sold more than a few CDs due to the coincidence and the musicians still marvel at crowds' reactions when they strike into the medley. Then, the band always does make audiences sit up and take notice, with its clean-picking rhythms, singular style and well-rendered originals. In their native Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, members need no introduction to admirers of, for lack of better terminology, alternative folk music. The musicians bend the genres, roaming from one influence to another as the evening progresses. "This band is a magic thing," Wilson says. "We're all natives of the area and have known each other for years. To be together, playing, at this time is a really special thing for us." The Rincon Ramblers -- WILSON, steel player BILL FLORES, vocalist-guitarist ALAN THORNHILL, JON WILCOX on vocals, mandolin and guitar and fiddler-vocalist PHIL SALAZAR -- are familiar to fans of Marley's Ghost, Newgrass Revival, Cache Valley Drifters, John McEuen, Mark O'Connor or the late Kate Wolf. Individually, members have played with all of the above, then some, between juggling ongoing projects. Chris Hillman, formerly of The Byrds and the Desert Rose Band, includes Thornhill among his writing partners and Wilcox calls Grammy-winner Christopher Cross among his friends and band supporters. In addition, Wilson has a trio with Bud Bierhouse and Nick Borela, Salazar's national reputation as a fiddler continues to grow and Wilcox appears at innumerable festivals with the popular Marley's Ghost. Session work keeps Flores' datebook full and Thornhill performs weekly at the Ranch House restaurant in Meiners Oaks. All of which is why the Ramblers limits itself to a handful of live performances each month. Every last Sunday, crowds can catch the group at 66 California, 66 California St., Ventura. The second Tuesday of the month is the Ramblers regular gig at Cafe Voltaire at The Livery in downtown Ventura. With the summer music festival season kicking off, music lovers will get a few more opportunities to hear this uniquely gifted group of musicians. The Rincon Ramblers kick off the Olivas Adobe's annual "Music Under the Stars" summer concert series on July 11. The Ramblers also are booked at the Live Oaks Festival the weekend of June 19 in Santa Barbara County. Now a year old, "The Green Rolling Hills of La Conchita" will be followed soon by a live album from the 4-year-old band, best described as a loosely-knit "super group" of local acoustic players. Wilson, in fact, was in the running this year in the Best Musical Album for Children Grammy category, along with local bluesman Bob Jones, for contributing to "This Land Is Your Land." Other contenders were Taj Mahal, Art Garfunkel and John Denver. "John Denver won, as he should have," says Wilson. "But the nomination was still a real honor and an affirmation of all these years of being in music." |
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