AMHERST – Drew Moore and Rocky Ripley have collaborated on music for decades. But fans of the musicians, each of whom has performed at numerous venues around town, will get a chance Saturday to hear their singing live, then on a CD – their new release, Bordertown Blues.
The launch of the 11-track recording takes place Saturday night at the Tantramar Theatre. The doors open at 7 p.m. and music starts at 8.
The pair released “And to all a good night” in 2006. It was an instrumental Christmas album. But this time around they’re showing their vocal chops. Rocky Ripley joked that they took the Blue Rodeo approach to being frontman: whoever wrote the song, sings it.
“We started probably a year and a half ago,” said Ripley. The performer has been spending a lot of time behind the scenes running his own home-based recording studio. He thinks each song of the album averaged about 10 hours of work in the studio.
“There’s a point where you do have to leave it alone,” he said.
He has two more CDs he’s working on right now for other musicians. Ripley likes being presented with another artist’s song, then building on it.
“Gives me a spark,” he said.
Drew Moore is passionate about his instrument.
“I collect guitars,” he said. He has 40 or more, including a number of Fender Telecasters, his favourite. He’s been playing a long time.
“Probably 11-years old,” he said. His first TV appearance was performing at age 12. He’s appeared on dozens of albums. He enjoys the recording process.
“It doesn’t get old for me,” he said.
Ripley and Moore are kindred spirits, said the latter. He said working with his collaborator of 25 years gives him a “warm, fuzzy feeling,” like coming home.
Among their favourite tracks on the new album – which is $15 at Amherst Music Centre and Pugsley’s Pharmacy – are Mother Load, Here’s What You Do, Word Called Good-Bye and Bordertown Blues. Tracks will be available on iTunes and other download sites within a month.
Tickets for Saturday are $8 at the box office or Inglis Jewellers.
esparling@amherstdaily.com
