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Exploring the terrain of failed love affairs, paralyzing self-doubt and mortality Rick Barry launches his Curses, Maledictions and Harsh Reiterations album tour Saturday at The Asbury, located on Fifth Avenue.

When the LP’s first single, “Hummingbird Song,” dropped in September, Elmore Magazine wrote:

“The Boss may cast a mighty, unshakable shadow over the Asbury Park music scene, but Rick Barry is just one artist set to prove that Springsteen may not have been an exception to the rule, but rather proof that the small, seaside town is fertile ground for serious talent.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=114&v=OkXDEN43cTA

Released Friday, the new LP features collaborations with three-time Grammy winner Larry Campbell, Nicole Atkins and Allie Moss; jazz cellist Erik Friedlander, upright bassist Chris Kuffner, and trumpeter C.J. Camerieri. It is also a return to collaboration with Director David Spelman, Produced by New York Guitar Festival Founder.

In discussing “Where Do the Season’s Get Their Names” single, the Asbury Park based musician told Blue Grass Situation:

“As with many of the songs on this record, [it] was written as part of a writing challenge that required me to write and perform a 30-minute set of completely new material once a month. All in all, I think the song was completed in under an hour. I try not to spend too much time wondering what a song is going to be about while writing it: I just write and let that all come naturally.

“So Soft, So Sweet,” with its fragile vocal harmonies, gently opens a dialogue that leads to “Hummingbird Song,” a nostalgic take loving without regret despite an inherent risk. With “A Perfect Portrait,” Barry leans to his grittier blues side, while “Moon River” is a return to the singer/songwriter’s melodic tenderness.

The Aquarian’s John Pfeiffer said, “…eight intricate songs that cover everything about life, love and the joys and disappointments of our existence.”

Joined by Ian Colletti and Tara Dente, Barry and his band will take the Asbury Hall stage at 8 p.m., doors opening at 7 p.m. Advanced $10 tickets are available here, and general admission tickets at the door will be $14. The Asbury is located at 210 Fifth Avenue.

Following Saturday’s album release concert, Barry heads to Reading, Pa, Charlotte, NC, and Nashville before performing a Nov. 19 show at Rockwood Music Hall in New York, which will be followed by a west coast tour.

For more on Barry, visit his Facebook page.

[Video by Amanda Duncan courtesy of The Bluegrass Situation]

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