Shelter Valley lies midway between the mountains and the badlands east of San Diego - hard, desolate, beautiful and remote. Shelter Valley Blues is the title track of Rick Shea’s latest album, a stark look at the tough places we sometimes find ourselves and the price we pay to get there.
The mood of the album swings from the hard country of the title track to the Irish-tinged folk of "Ty Robby" to the Rockpile meets Tex-Mex romp of "Sweet Little Pocha". Shea covers a wide spectrum of styles with confidence and ease yet always maintains respect and reverence for the music that reflects a career playing at venues from dusty San Bernardino honky-tonks to Madison Square Garden.
LA Weekly called Shea “staunchly independent“ and said that he ”represents the best of California music.” His previous albums have been called “dazzling” to “stunningly good”. Over the years, Shea has released five critically acclaimed albums and worked with renowned artists such as roots rock kingpin Dave Alvin, folk chanteuse Katy Moffatt, and indie rock legends R.E.M.
Shea is a deeply evocative singer and a formidable guitarist. Recorded at his home studio outside Los Angeles, Shea plays acoustic, electric, steel guitar and mandolin and is joined by guests including Heather Myles, Moira Smiley and, from Los Lobos, David Hidalgo and Cougar Estrada.
Shelter Valley Blues is Shea’s strongest effort yet and is a reminder of the depth and possibilities of country music and its traditions.
”When I first heard Merle Haggard I understood the deep personal expression that was possible in a song, over the years I’ve tried to write songs that in some way measure up to that.”