Natick Review
Copyright (c) 1995, Joe DeRouen
All rights reserved



Natick
Rick Lee                 

Natick is a small new england town with a estimated population of 1,651
people.  It was once much more than that.  As the title track of Rick
Lee's new album NATICK (from Waterbug) explains, "Natick was a language,
Natick is a town.  No one speaks the language, all of them are gone..."

Natick tells the sad story of the Native Americans displaced by the
English and eventually interred on Deer Island in Boston Harbour, where
they eventually died out, taking the Natick language with them.

Lee's song is at once sad and touching, a history lesson that none of us
should ever forget.  His voice reverberates through the music as he
sings about the fate of the natives, emotionally charges and stirring. 

Not all of NATICK is as serious as the title song, but it's all just as
well done.  Lee's album is filled with traditional and contemporary
ballads, both Irish and American in origin.  "The High Part of Town" is
a clever rhyming ballad about life in a small village in England.  It's
funny and entertaining, and the lyrics will stay with you long after
you've listened to it.

"The Tinkerman's Daughter" is the true jewel of Lee's album, a retelling
of an 11 verse poem about a farmer who steals a tinker's daughter and
what befalls him and all the players involved.  The song is truly epic,
bringing to mind classic Irish and Celtic tales and songs.  

Other highlights include a cover of Merle Haggard's "I Made the Prison
Band", the 17th century ballad "Lady Margaret", and "Strangers", a
touching juxtaposition of strangers exchanging points of view. 

"Tam Lin", the last song on the album, is probably my favorite.  It's
the story of Thomas the Rhymer and his encounter with the folk of
Faerie.  As Lee's liner notes explain, it's an excellent instruction on
how to rescue someone from enchantment.  Lee's rich, deep voice lends
itself particulary well to this song, making it stand out from all the
others on the album.

NATICK is a solid album, without even a single lacking track.  If you
enjoy traditional ballads and good acoustic discs, you'll want to add
this one to your collection.