Rick Cunha - Folkscene (1976)

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This recording has Rick Cunha live in the studio with some help from Jeff Gilkinson. Folkscene was a radio show on Los Angeles' KPFK station. On this episode we hear Rick playing and talking one year after his "Moving Pictures" was recorded (which wouldn't be released until 1980). The recording suffers from rather heavy tape hiss, but you'll get used to that if you're interested in Rick's career. Later in his musical life, Rick would join Na Kama Hele, playing Hawaiian music. Here we already hear him talk lovingly about Hawaiian music, though the songs played are mostly in the vein of his two solo albums. If you haven't heard Rick before, I suggest you start with his "Cunha Songs" album. If you already know and love his studio albums, get this.

Rick Cunha - Moving Pictures (1975)

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This is the second album by Rick Cunha. It was recorded in 1975 as follow up to "Cunha Songs", though it took until 1980 for it to be released by Sierra/CBS. The style is very similar to that first album. It's Country Rock mostly, but Rick has his way with subtleties. And again he has Waylon strummin' an' hummin' along on some songs. And Jessi Colter.
This album isn't gonna blow your speakers. It's pleasant music for winding down in the evening, or outside in the sun whilst entertaining the family. You can't dance to it, can't bang you head to it, but it's a real nice record to just listen to. Good ol' days...

Rick Cunha - Cunha Songs (1974)

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This is one of my all time favorite albums. It's also one of those albums that is virtually impossible to categorize. It's not Southern Rock, though 'Jesse James (Is An Outlaw, Honey)' sure comes close. It's not Country, though at times it is. Maybe Outlaw Country? Well, it's Waylon-endorsed. He sings back-up. But it's the exciting, creative side of Outlaw Country. And it's also Country Rock, though it has nothing to do with West Coast slickness or Nitty Gritty bluegrass.
Rick Cunha started out with a band called Hearts & Flowers, who were like the forerunners of Country Rock, along with the Byrds and the Dillards. Cunha left after their first album and wound up in Nashville, playing with Emmylou Harris' Hot Band. At that time he also recorded two solo albums, this one being the first. The second, 'Moving Pictures' was recorded in 1975, but wasn't released until 1980. After that I lost track, though I did have a radio broadcast of him doing Hawaii music.
This album, though, is really the one to have. It's an eclectic happening, but it's happening alright. It features the song 'Yo Yo Man' and has the only Country song I know of that lasts over ten minutes.
I was a little reluctant to rip this, since the vinyl I have wasn't in mint condition. But it turned out fairly okay. I just played it and I was loving every minute of it. So, give it a try. A little yo yo music...