From '80s Rocker to Oud Master: Mac Ritchey's Long Strange Trip
He makes it sound so easy. Mac Ritchey was playing ‘80s hair metal in local bars, before discovering the sounds of world fusion, an emerging genre of music. Mac is a natural explorer; one step led to another, and he’s now an acclaimed master of the oud, a middle-eastern ancestor of the guitar. Fusing the best of the west and the east, he’s also a natural improviser unbound by musical “rules”. It’s helped him carve a unique niche. Meet Mac and hear the astounding diversity of his sounds in the latest episode of the Right Brain Music Podcast. This is another joint production with public TV program The World Fusion Show.
The New England native and resident is actually much more than an oud player. He’s a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and an instrument builder. The photo below (right) shows an instrument of his design - a curved digeridoo he calls the circumhunculator.
For more on Mac:
Episode 33 of the World Fusion Show: Mac Ritchey with Derrik Jordan
Possum Hall Music (Mac’s website)
Here’s a playlist for music in the episode:
“Sepastia Bar” from forthcoming album Amphora
“Centering” from Dhara
“Cargah Sirto” from forthcoming album Amphora
“Gibu Master” from forthcoming album Evolutia
“Discovering” from Dhara
“Improv Funk” by Life Size Action Figures (band), studio improv
“Cardamom” by Dunham Shoe Factory (band) from forthcoming album
“06” by Zenani (band), studio improv
The Right Brain Music Podcast explores the world of improvised music. It’s presented by Right Brain Records. Please subscribe through your fav iOS or Android app so you don’t miss an episode. Thanks for stopping by!