Richard Green's "Holey Shoes" Review

That feeling on the neck, that pocket where everything locks in. You can't think of anything else. All you hear is the music, and it draws you in. Richard Green built "Holey Shoes" around a groove that wouldn't let go. All three instruments are breathing together, the guitar, bass and drums. It's natural and not something that had to be practiced until it was flawless. Some kind of looseness here, like Richard trusted in the moment more than he trusted the plan.

The title "Holey Shoes" conveys a deeper meaning than initially understood. It's not really about the shoes. It is a reference to something more difficult, to people who go unnoticed and to difficulties that many of us pass by. I think that part was more memorable than I expected and added more meaning to the song.

I like what the song doesn't do, it does not preach. It just leaves you with the idea and you feel the idea, you don't have to explain everything. This is something that's not easy to do. The feeling is conveyed by itself and the music does not have to do all the work.

Then the guitar solo kicks in, and the whole song shifts slightly. It's not trying to impress. It seems to be as though someone is actually speaking through the guitar, as though they have completed a sentence. You can hear the guitar thinking as it plays, almost like it's working something out.

Then, faster and faster the track begins to roll. The tempo increases and everything moves slightly faster. This is a game that's obviously in play, and the instruments are listening to one another. Not only are they playing their parts, but they are bringing their parts together. It has a certain kind of energy, it feels like it's moving forward.

The recording is also raw sounding. It doesn't feel overly processed or polished. It does sound like a real room, real people, real instruments. It brings an honest feeling to this song. The little details add to its reality, rather than take away from it.

I had begun to consider people I've crossed paths with without really looking. I was no longer just tapping my foot. I'm always going back to this song, not only because it's catchy, which it is, but because it says something to me. It makes me think of noticing the overlooked folks in the world. That's why it's stayed with me.