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Rich Ruth: Water Still Flows

By Scott Gudell
July 2, 2024
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Firstly, Michael Ruth goes by the name of

Rich Ruth

multi-instrumentalist

" data-original-title="" title="">Rich Ruth. When asked about the conversion from Michael to Rich, Ruth had a clear and simple response "I chose to go by Rich Ruth because I felt it had a more distinct ring to it and Rich is my mother's maiden name as well as my middle name." As for influences, at times it seems Ruth believes he is channeling sounds and vibrations from a higher order. When citing the inspiration for music he performed or recorded in the past, Ruth stated "I constantly experiment with sound until it reflects the way I am feeling, and attempt to sculpt something meaningful from it." As for more earth-bound influences, he has acknowledged being inspired by the meditative pieces of artists including

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane and

Keith Jarrett

piano
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Keith Jarrett.

Ruth moved to the Nashville area years ago and sought to immerse himself in its increasingly eclectic music scene. Previous Ruth musical expeditions included time with an indie folk band, performing Americana music and opening for jam bands. Through the years, he absorbed sonic inspirations from sources as diverse as jazz, classical, death metal, Indian classical, ambient Euro music and more. He has also been influenced by what he calls "darker themes" such as the scourge of Covid, and even an armed carjacking. It may sound like a random grab bag of various influences but they coexist, nonetheless.

The seven original instrumental pieces that comprise Water Still Flows move from slow motion mood pieces—with a nod to the subtly shifting repetition of

Steve Reich

composer / conductor
b.1936

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Reich and

Philip Glass

composer / conductor
b.1937

" data-original-title="" title="">Philip Glass—to free form

Ornette Coleman

saxophone, alto
1930 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Ornette Coleman styled sax attacks. There are also roaring guitars and piercing percussions that echo prog rock masters such as

King Crimson

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">King Crimson. The album's opening track starts with a serene, dawn-like flowering wash of music followed by a more assertive piece which invites an agitated saxophonist to take center stage. The third track conjures up images of something rising from a subterranean slumber and could easily emerge from an atmospheric Avatar-like world. Suddenly, the piece abruptly terminates.

The second side opens with serene, repetitive gong-like bells before inviting a variety of instruments, including a guitar, harp, sax, synthesizer and more, to join in. The piece evolves into an agitated, blistering cacophony before its jagged conclusion. Two selections later, distant, barely audible voices drift by as the number follows the album's most minimalistic pattern only to sonically concede the spotlight to an eruption of distorted guitar sounds. The final number lets saxophonist

Jared Selner

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Jared Selner, who only appears on this track, to take center stage from start to finish but a cryptic human voice has the final say as the album drifts into silence.

Throughout, Ruth has help from several artists including the main saxophonist

Sam Que

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Sam Que, and

Spencer Cullum

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Spencer Cullum on pedal steel. As for Ruth, he is credited with guitars, synthesizers, 'sampling,' bass and percussions (along with

Reuben Gingrich

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Reuben Gingrich on drums.) The result is a kind of jam jazz rock where all of Ruth's collaborators are encouraged to add their own improvisational spirit to the project. The immersive music ultimately reveals various potent patterns yet the album thrives on presenting the unexpected and, at times, the unpredictable.

A final nod to Ruth and Jordan Williams as graphic artists since they created a striking and vibrantly colored geometric cover and then carried the look over to an insert as well as to the label of the 'dark as black tar' vinyl record (one can even search out a blood red vinyl issue as well!) It is a reminder that you may be able to capture sounds via a download but would leave behind the visual and interactive experience of an actual physical album, liner notes and all.

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Track Listing

Action At A Distance; Crying In The Trees; God Won't Speak; No Muscle, No Memory; Aspiring To The Sky; Blue Shell; Somewhere In Time.

Personnel

Rich Ruth

multi-instrumentalist

Reuben Gingrich

drums

Sam Que

saxophone

Mikaela Davis

harp

Spencer Cullum

guitar

Patrick M'Gonigle

violin

Jared Selner

saxophone

Travis Vance

bass

Additional Instrumentation

Spencer Cullum - pedal steel

Album information

Title: Water Still Flows | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Third Man Records

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