Cassie Keenum & Rick Randlett

Hauntings

Fox Run Records

Cassie Keenum hails from Alachua, Fl. sixteen miles outside of Gainesville. She is a singer songwriter with a soulful voice who performs in a duo with Rick Randlett.

Randlett discovered the blues while in college. He listened to bands like Cream, The Yardbirds, and early Fleetwood Mac. Then he connected the dots and discovered Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson. Randlett also developed an appreciation for country music and learned songs from both genres. He released his first recordings in 1999 and 2002. In 2012 Randlett recorded his acoustic album “Change Coming On” and the album spent several months on the Roots Music Report’s Blues Chart. He followed up with 2013’s “Nothing to Do”.

In 2016 the duo of Keenum and Randlett won the North Central Florida Blues Society’s Battle of The Bands and went on to compete in the 2017 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. This is the duo’s debut recording.

The band includes Keenum, acoustic guitar and vocals; Randlett, acoustic, electric and lap steel guitars and vocals; Nicole Wagner, bass; Rusty Valentine, drums; and special guests Mitch Rogers, keyboards; and Little Mike Markowitz, harmonica. The album is produced by Randlett.

Six of the songs were written by Keenum and an additional one with Randlett who also contributes three of his own. There is one cover.

“On that Seventh Day …the woman found the devil and she lost her holy flower”; Randlett’s lap steel is evocative. “One More Last Time” is a great tune; Randlett on guitar is really nice, Little Mike’s on harp.

“Won’t Make That Mistake Again” is structured like a classic country tune and performed in an almost sensual manner. “Hallelujah” is the Leonard Cohen song, re-arranged and beautifully sung by Keenum.

On “She’s Gone” we get to hear Randlett’s raspy voice which wonderfully compliments Keenum’s clear one. “I don’t blame her for leaving…’cause I know it’s my fault she’s gone”.

Little Mike’s harp opens “Early in the Morning”. “Got no milk for my coffee no butter for my bread, I guess I should be happy got a roof over my head”. Randlett plays slide on a resonator guitar.

“Get Lit”… “I want to tell myself it’s over but I just can’t do it sober…whiskey, moonshine, bourbon, beer”.

 “Minute Man”… “what part of ladies first don’t you understand…he can’t do nothing better than my old right hand”.

The sparse production and warm delivery add drama to the performances; their music is both Blues and Americana. Keenum and Randlett are a wonderful duo.

Richard Ludmerer

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