Formed in Rio de Janeiro in 2007, the acoustic duo Rice ‘n’ Beans offers a contemporary twist on British folk rock of a half century ago. Their self-titled debut album serves up a full plate of original tunes that deal with anti-war messages, social consciousness-raising tunes, and relationship songs. Mark Archer and Peter Napthine, both skilled guitarists, also switch vocal leads with the other singing back up. One of them also adds color to some of the tunes with a touch of harmonica.

The album’s press touts the range of material as folk, rock, blues, and pop music of the US and the UK. Frankly, I was expecting more of a blues album, especially with a title that evokes New Orleans and Delta blues.  What I heard, though, was much more folk-rock and pop with some toe-dipping into blues that should have been full out plunges into those deep waters. The musicians have technical skills to attack something of that nature—even British Mick Jagger and his fellow Stones bandmates fully embraced this genre. Rice ‘n’ Beans does pull off some very solid guitar solos and consistently offers an instrumental footing for the rest of the work, especially in “Walk Silently.”

Some of the best work on the album is rooted solidly in British folk. “Blinking of an Eye,” for example, has touches of early Donovan, as does “Not A Lot Else,” a bittersweet track, which seems to sustain that Donovan feel throughout the entire track. “Walk to the Rhythm,” interestingly, adds harmonica to add a little spice to the British folk feel.  And “Grow Into Your Love” is a nice guitar/vocal tune that is enhanced by the guitar solo work in the middle. 

Vocally, Archer and Napthine are strong singers, but they have very different vocal styles. One is very definitely British and the other sounds more American. Their blend, though, is spot on—something that is often very difficult to achieve outside of blood kin who sing together—hence all of those brothers and sisters singing groups of the 40s and 50s.

I was especially enamored by “Lie Awake” because of its moody atmosphere and the haunting vocal delivery.  Then there’s “Someone Left Behind,” which melds American folk with its British counterpart.  Archer and Napthine trade verses on this one, with both gelling into a delightful harmony on the chorus.

Though I am a child of the folk experience in America in the 60s and 70s, I thought I’d never suggest that an artist should put more production into an album. However, in this case, I think that the addition of other musicians, especially a bass player or even a hand drums player, would kick this album up a notch. The guitar work on some of the tracks is thin, especially the two initial cuts and for most of the last one, which is mostly strumming. However on other cuts, the guitar work is a very exciting collaboration between the two skilled musicians, especially on “Shuffling On (Burned Out).” 

Lyrically, the duo produces some tightly written tunes. A lot of their messages, however, seem to get lost in their smooth delivery, which tends to lull listeners into a good mood instead of perking up their ears to pay extra attention to the words. That is especially true on their last cut, “Weather the Storm,” which urges a personal commitment to save humanity and to join with others making that same commitment. Like the first two cuts, the guitar work here is basic, purely supportive for the song, and is highly reminiscent to the social consciousness and anti-war songs that came out of the Hootenanny era. Those made statements, but they could also get lost in the midst of so many others singing protest songs. Today, with the sophistication of music listeners, I’m afraid much of what Rice ‘n’ Beans is trying to convey will not be heard or understood because of the retro effect of their music.

It is my hope that they will continue to write and play live concerts, perhaps adding a couple of extra musicians to support what they do.

Reviewed By Janie Franz

Janie Franz, Reviews Rice 'N' Beans