Mr. Rick & the Biscuits

Featuring rich, old-time instrumentation that includes banjo, mandolin and bass fiddle, these three hillbilly pickers plough through 14 foot-stomping and flapjack flipping songs. Mr. Rick & the Biscuits are a talented trio that keep the listener guessing with their blend of styles. A little bluegrass and a little blues are mixed with a little swing and a little jazz to produce a lip smacking menu. At times, their sound is a throwback to the Western Swing tradition, following in the footsteps of such talents as Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys to modern masters such as the Hot Club of Cowtown. The disc opens with the soulful "Backdoor,” for which you better do some serious stretching because your foot won’t stop tapping from the infectious bluegrass, swing and coffeehouse grooves that follow. Guests include Steve Briggs (lead guitar) and Burke Carroll (lap steel guitar) who add their instruments to the jive song "Jump Li’l Rabbit.” One of the most interesting tracks is a swinging cover of the classic "House of the Rising Sun.” Once you savour the flavours of Cocktails & Cornbread, you’ll quickly discover that this is one Southern fried musical dish — Hog-town style — that you’ll want to include as part of your regular diet.