Ralph’s rampant creativity and productivity continued unabated in 2020 and 21. Not only
did he release yet another box set entitled The Whole World Inside, but was also
responsible for the impressive Let it be good for all. Tim Birkenholz repeatedly shines in
this production with his lap steel guitar accompaniment. This adds a particular magic to the
fantastic number Seed the Seeds. In On the Blue Line, the same lap steel guitar plays an
even more prominent role. The more subdued side of Ralph’s music can be fully
appreciated in these songs. Despite this, Ralph is able to captivate the attention of the
listener seemingly effortlessly for more than seventy minutes. Ralph has the same
incredible musical click with Birkenholz as with the violinist Ewa Pepper. This mutual
collaboration also resulted in the jointly composed final track Shadow. I consider the title
song one of the absolute highlights; it is also one of the most beautiful songs ever written
by Ralph. The intricate guitar sounds are framed by the sensitive vocals and background
vocals of YLVALIE, Birkenholz and Leon van Etten. Equally impressive are Clenching My
Teeth and It Was on the Earth #2. I had already considered Let It Be Good For All6to be
one of the three best albums in his oeuvre; now I have to admit that I am
even more impressed by On the Blue Line!