New Music: TJR talks Rolling Stones track "Scarlet" featuring guest great Jimmy Page

Watch Music Worth Buying co-host TJR's recent episode where he discusses the new advance track from The Rolling Stones' Goats Head Soup deluxe edition reissue that features guitar great Jimmy Page. View the episode here.

You can read all about this exciting deluxe reissue via a recent post found here. It is set for release on Sept. 4, 2020!

Ace Frehley announces new video, single, and new LP details

No sooner had Rock 'n' Roll Truth learned about details surrounding Joe Bonamassa's upcoming album when a media release focused on legendary guitar great Ace Frehley arrived! Here you go!


Ace Frehley announces 'Origins Vol. 2' details, extends album deal with Entertainment One

“SPACE TRUCKIN’” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO AND TRACK OUT NOW

PRE ORDERS AVAILABLE TODAY

July 28, 2020 -- Founding KISS guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame member Ace Frehley announces the release of Origins Vol. 2, his highly-anticipated second collection of eleven rock 'n' roll covers, due out on September 18, 2020. Today, he also releases the first single, a flawless cover of Deep Purple's 1972 hit, "Space Truckin'" available now on all streaming platforms, and as an official music video.  Recorded at The Creation Lab in Turlock, CA, Frehley recorded guitar, bass, and vocals on "Space Truckin'" with long-time studio drummer Matt Star and keyboard player Rob Sabino (Peter Frampton,  Simon & Garfunkel). Ace offers,"'Space Truckin' was recorded years ago, and then I just re-recorded some parts and changed it a little. We never ended up putting it on a record, so it was just sitting around. It turned out very well. Rob Sabino is a very accomplished studio musician, and we actually grew up in the Bronx together, so we go way back." The official video for “Space Truckin’” was directed by eOne's Ken Gullic (VP, Sales & Acquisitions, Music) and animated by Chris Fequiere, the same team behind the "Mission to Mars" music video from Frehley's Spaceman album in 2018.  Frehley has also re-signed with eOne for more new releases, which extends his original deal signed in 2013. During his tenure, he has released three albums worth of new material, Origins Vol. 2 is the fourth. A new studio album is planned for 2021 with two additional releases to follow. eOne’s Scott Givens, SVP, Rock & Metal, Music says, "I am thrilled to extend our partnership with Ace Frehley.  He is a core artist for eOne and I look forward to more continued success with him." eOne’s Ken Gullic, VP, Sales & Acquisitions, Music, offers, “We were warned, before our first meeting with Ace in 2014, that he’d never deliver an album or get on the plane for that very meeting. He showed up with an early version of Steve Miller’s “The Joker” in hand and then cranked out eleven brand new songs at lightning speed for his first top 10 solo album ever, 'Space Invader,' just in time for his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction as a KISS member in 2014. With nine albums into his vibrant solo career, one that clearly stands on its own, it's time for Ace to be considered as a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted solo performer too." Frehley continues his reflections on a lifetime in music with this release of Origins Vol. 2. No stranger to cover versions throughout his musical history — having recorded, rebranded and repossessed such notable nuggets as "New York Groove," "Do Ya" and "I Wanna Go Back" throughout his eight previous studio efforts — this new collection presents a thoughtful and exciting selection of songs that inspired and helped shape the legendary guitarist. That spirit of fun is carried through with exquisite execution, and guitar aficionados will enjoy Frehley's fresh interpretations of these classic songs. Origins Vol 2. features some extraordinary guests, including Robin Zander of Cheap Trick on Humble Pie's "30 Days In The Hole," and former KISS comrade Bruce Kulick on Jimi Hendrix's "Manic Depression." Origins Vol.1 alumnus John5 also returns, playing on Cream's "Politician," and The Beatles' "I'm Down." Finally, the exquisite Lita Ford returns on vocals, this time on The Rolling Stones' 1968 hit "Jumpin' Jack Flash." Full tracklisting below. Track List: 1. Good Times Bad Times (Led Zeppelin) 2. Never In My Life (Mountain) 3. Space Truckin' (Deep Purple) 4. I'm Down (The Beatles) 5. Jumpin' Jack Flash (The Rolling Stones) 6. Politician (Cream) 7. Lola (The Kinks) 8. 30 Days In The Hole (Humble Pie) 9. Manic Depression (The Jimi Hendrix Experience) 10. Kicks (Paul Revere & the Raiders) 11. We Gotta Get Out Of This Place (The Animals) 12. She (KISS) [Bonus Track] Origins Vol. 2 will be the followup to 2016’s Origins Vol. 1, which hit #23 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, and was his second highest-charting solo album and his 4th Top 40 album. Pre-orders are available today at www.acefrehleyorigins.com -- which includes an exclusive 180g Opaque Gold Double LP variant (limited to 1000 copies + download card).

Joe Bonamassa reveals new album 'Royal Tea' due out Oct 23

Acclaimed modern-day bluesman Joe Bonamassa has just announced details of his upcoming album 'Royal Tea.' The official media release follows...

Joe Bonamassa announces new studio album 'Royal Tea' inspired by Jeff Beck, Led Zeppelin, John Mayall, Eric Clapton, and Cream - set for release Oct. 23 2020

 

GUITAR HERO SHAKES UP TOURING HIATUS WITH LIVESTREAM EVENT PREMIERING ALBUM BEFORE RELEASE AT THE RYMAN AUDITORIUM IN NASHVILLE ON SEPT 20 - TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW

LIVESTREAM WILL RAISE MONEY FOR FUELING MUSICIANS PROGRAM TO HELP ARTISTS IN NEED

GET TICKETS FOR THE LIVE STREAM CONCERT ON SEPT 20: https://joeb.me/JBW  PRE-ORDER ROYAL TEA: https://joeb.me/RoyalTea   STREAM / DOWNLOAD “WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG TO SAY GOODBYE”: https://joeb.me/2WPcUFv   WATCH THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO: https://youtu.be/PZyIouoc5pY Tuesday, July 28, 2020 - The wait is over, Joe Bonamassa’s new solo studio album Royal Tea inspired by his British heroes Jeff Beck, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin and Cream was recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios and will be released on October 23rd via J&R Adventures. Bonamassa also surprised his fans this past Friday with his latest single, “Why Does It Take So Long To Say Goodbye.” Bonamassa is known for taking risks and venturing into uncharted territory throughout his wide-ranging career but now he has found a new way to surprise his fans and music lovers. Royal Tea brings Bonamassa full-circle. “This whole adventure,” admits Joe, “was a bucket-list thing for me.” This album reconnects the 43-year-old with the guitar-slinging kid from upstate New York, who stumbled across the best of British blues music in his dad’s vinyl collection – whose influences have shaped him to be the player he is today. “I would have been about twelve years old, and it was the sound I heard in my head. Like, ‘OK, I’m in. That’s what I want to be’.” These ten original tracks were co-written by Joe and a cast of homegrown notables including former Whitesnake guitarist Bernie Marsden, ex-Cream lyricist Pete Brown and national-treasure piano man Jools Holland. “Writing this record in London has done its job,” reflects Bonamassa. “It really does sound inherently British. Bernie and I, we finish each other’s sentences. We’re cut from the same cloth.” Bonamassa’s long-standing producer Kevin Shirley and regular touring band flew in for the recording sessions, which included Anton Fig (drums), Michael Rhodes (bass) and Reese Wynans (keys). Alongside the announcement of the Royal Tea album, Bonamassa revealed today that he will perform a special Livestream Concert from the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee on September 20th. This concert will feature the songs from his new album before the official release. Joe has never performed a full, unreleased album for audiences like this before, giving fans from around the world the opportunity to come together for an unforgettable night of blues-rock music. Along with Royal Tea he’ll perform classic remixes from his 20th anniversary album A New Day Now. The evening will continue with a one hour “After Party” featuring several live performances from an array of some of the hottest rising stars in blues-rock music. The live stream tickets and packages for “Joe Bonamassa Live in Concert Worldwide” presented by Keeping The Blues Alive are available for purchase at https://joeb.me/JBW   There are a variety of pricing levels available for fans worldwide to be a part of this special “audience.” Tickets to the livestream event starts at $20. Fans may also purchase a $35 ALL-ACCESS PASS which includes access to the livestream event on September 20th, the Royal Tea digital album available on October 23rd, and a 1-year all pass for Bonamassa’s on-demand service which includes 17+ concert releases from Joe Bonamassa, Black Country Communion, and Rock Candy Funk Party – available at any time on most devices. As part of this unique concert event, fans also have the option to purchase a Commemorative VIP ticket giving them an experience they will never forget. VIP ticket holders will have their photo printed out and placed in a seat at the legendary Ryman Auditorium as part of Joe’s audience for that special night. VIPs will also get a picture of Joe with his “audience” which will be sent to them via email to keep. The VIP ticket holder’s name will also be included in the credits at the end of the live stream event, as well as being included in the upcoming DVD credits for this performance! This one-of-a-kind concert is presented by Bonamassa’s non-profit, Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation (KTBA). Each ticket purchase will include a $1 donation to Joe’s Fueling Musicians Program, which to date has raised over $295,000 and has supported more than 163 musicians in need due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While much of the applause Bonamassa receives should be credited to his sheer talent, some part of his success needs to be attributed to Joe and his business partner for having the foresight and ability to become some of music’s savviest entrepreneurs. Bonamassa now 43, and his partner Roy Weisman have together devised a 360-degree independent business model that has survived and thrived during one of the music industry’s most uncertain eras, particularly considering the challenges created by the current pandemic. Bonamassa’s Royal Tea and A New Day Now follow his instrumental side project called The Sleep Eazys, who released their stunning debut album, Easy To Buy, Hard To Sell, earlier this year. The album, which the Associated Press touted as making “instrumental dreams,” was produced by Bonamassa and features some of his frequent collaborators, along with his all-star touring band. The Sleep Eazys project is Joe’s second time in the studio as a producer, after Reese Wynans’ long-awaited debut solo album Sweet Release. In addition, Joe continues to crank out weekly programming for Sirius XM’s Bluesville channel for his radio show “Different Shades Of Blue.” More recently, he kicked off a new at-home weekly interview series “Live From Nerdville” on his Facebook and YouTube page, featuring episodes with Neal Schon of Journey, John Oates of Hall & Oates, Glenn Hughes, Paul Stanley of Kiss, Warren Haynes, Keb’ Mo’, Walter Trout and esteemed singer-songwriter Dion. On June 5, Bonamassa released music icon Dion’s critically-acclaimed new album Blues With Friends on he and his Manager Roy Weisman’s new record label Keeping The Blues Alive Records and Dion’s first single “Blues Comin’ On” also features Bonamassa on slide guitar. To keep up with everything Bonamassa, visit jbonamassa.com, and be sure to stay connected on social media.  JOE BONAMASSA – ROYAL TEA  1. When One Door Opens   2. Royal Tea   3. Why Does It Take So Long To Say Goodbye   4. Lookout Man!   5. High Class Girl   6. A Conversation With Alice   7. I Didn't Think She Would Do it   8. Beyond The Silence   9. Lonely Boy  10. Savannah

Joe Bonamassa / Photo credit: Robert Sutton CONNECT: Website: jbonamassa.com YouTube: /JoeBonamassaTV Facebook: @JoeBonamassa Twitter: @JBONAMASSA Instagram: @joebonamassa Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation: keepingthebluesalive.org

New Music: Peter Himmelman, Chris Stamey & the Fellow Travelers, Tawny Ellis, The Jason Daniels Band

If it's summertime, then it must be time to check out some wonderful new releases from established as well as emerging artists...

Artists: Peter Himmelman
Title: Press On (Himmasongs/Six Degrees Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Bruce Cockburn, Steve Forbert, Bob Dylan, Randy Newman
Tell me more: Few would argue that 2020 has been among the challenging and tumultuous of years. Leave it to gifted singer-songwriter Peter Himmelman to release another stellar batch of songs (Press On, due July 31) that capture the mood of our times without necessarily being bound by current events. At the heart of the Minnesota native's 15th album is his straightforward but simultaneously rare gift of being able to tap into the deepest of emotions and sharpest of perceptions and then communicate those via timeless songcraft. Take in the tender ode "A Place In Your Heart," the stirring "Big Red Moon" or acoustic guitar gem "Outside Looking In" to hear his artistry resonate amidst sparse settings. Himmelman delves into the spirit of early blues on the acoustic "Flyin' Sideways Cross the Blacktop" and blues-rock on the edgy "The Wall of the Trumpets and the Clatter of the Hoofbeats." Other tracks are unveiled via other styles; the spirited swing track "Truth Proffered in a Hard Time" celebrates a man's ever-deepening love professed to his wife as evidenced by the oft-heard refrain "I never loved you more than I love you today." Those troubled by a global pandemic, a developing Cold War with China, senseless violence in this nation's big cities and bitter politics will be comforted by the album's spirited title track "Press On," whose arc ranges from spoken word, several sweet instrumental sections and an infectious blues-gospel chorus. Equally comforting is the colorful confessional "This Is My Offering" that closes out the 13-track Press On. Information: PeterHimmelman.com.

Artist: Chris Stamey & the Fellow Travelers
Title: A Brand-New Shade of Blue (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Burt Bacharach, Bill Evans, Jimmy Webb
Tell me more: Chris Stamey is a bona fide music hero celebrated as singer, songwriter, composer and record producer. In addition to his early stint performing with Big Star icon Alex Chilton, he formed the groundbreaking band The dB's with Peter Holsapple in the early 1980s. More recently, he crafted a slew of great new Great American Songbook-styled entries for his marvelous 2019 release New Songs for the 20th Century. Fast forward to 2020 and Stamey's adventuresome spirit continues to be found soaring in the far-flung corners of the sonic universe. On Chris Stamey & the Fellow Travelers' enthralling A Brand-New Shade of Blue, an appreciation of the small-combo jazz sound of the late 1950s and early '60s is gloriously revisited across 13 original works. A magnificent listen from start to finish, selections include the John Coltrane inspired title song, the moving ballad "I Don't Think Of You," wistful "There's a Dream Around the Corner," swirling "Cerulean Is Lovely," and Bacharach-flavored "Speechless." The songs and instrumental pieces are evocative of the past, but have an ageless grace. Brett Harris is the principal singer on the project, with his amazing vocals bolstered by the top-tier skills of Stamey (guitar), Charles Cleaver (piano), 19-year-old tenor sax master Elijah Freeman, Will Campbell (also and soprano sax), Evan Ringel (trombone), Ben Robinson (trumpet), Dan Davis (drums), Jason Foureman (acoustic bass) and others. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Tawny Ellis
Title: Love Life (Music Building Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Neko Case, Jenny Lewis
Tell me more: Armed with a rich soprano and freewheeling spirit in tune with the world around her, songstress Tawny Ellis makes no secret of the thematic focus on her aptly-titled Love Life album. The highs and lows of love, challenges of romantic unions and mystery of it all are explored ably by the rising artist on the 10-song disc. Ellis' songs are enhanced by a wonderful cast of musicians and other notables including renowned mixer Bob Clearmountain, musician-producer Jesse Siebenberg and multi-instrumentalist Ted Russell Kamp who collectively help bring details that enlighten her songs. The magical Celtic-tinged "Moonshine" is ablaze with shimmering textures, with Ellis' on work on the Omnichord instrument a nice touch. The affecting "Pretend Love," pensive "No More," touching "Spark of Love," rocking "I Believe" and fervent "Powers That Be" are among the other standouts on the ambitious LP that blends Americana and singer-songwriter stylings effortlessly. It's not easy to cover a Steely Dan classic, but Ellis' emotive reworking of "Dirty Work" is great and marks the perfect way to cap "Love Life." Information: tawnyellis.com.

Artist: The Jason Daniels Band
Title: Downloads From The Universe (Jax-Zen Studios)
You might like if you enjoy: Ten Years Later, Sister Hazel, WAR
Tell me more: The cool vibes of British blues, jam rock, '70s funk, roots rock and even Latin blend in the captivating Downloads From The Universe, the new album featuring the Jason Daniels Band. Jason Daniels (lead vocals, lead & rhythm guitar), Murph Caicedo (drums), Rob Wicks (bass) and Chris Nash (keyboards) have a warm chemistry and their style combines good vibes, great musicianship and solid songwriting. The range of material is impressive, with the strong opener "I'm Not Going Down," the Texas-fried blues ride "I've Been Ramblin'," funky romp "39202," scorching rocker "Dead and Gone" and breezy folk rocker "Breathe" among this writer's favorites. Information: JasonDanielsMusic.com.


Robert Kinsler

Sights and Sounds: Nils Lofgren, Rodrigo y Gabriela announce upcoming live albums

Not one, but two exciting upcoming double live albums courtesy of singer-songwriter/guitar master Nils Lofgren and dynamic duo Rodrigo y Gabriela have been announced. The official media releases are below - Robert Kinsler

Nils Lofgren to release live album 'Weathered' on Friday, August 21, 2020

Recorded between E Street Band and Crazy Horse stints, and on heels of critically acclaimed 'Blue With Lou' album, live set features Andy Newmark, Cindy Mizelle and Tom Lofgren 

In between E Street Band and Crazy Horse work, master rock singer songwriter-guitarist Nils Lofgren fit in his first tour with a full band in over 15 years. Inspired by the writing with the great Lou Reed on his last studio album, Nils knew it was time. Audience and band alike sharing their souls, gifts, spirit and energy on the tour made for a fresh, new live sound for Nils. The result is in an earthy, rockin’ album that breathes life into a world temporarily void of the excitement, energy, tenderness, and spontaneity of live music during COVID-19.  

 

The 16-track collection, entitled Weathered, and issued on Lofgren’s own Cattle Track Road Records in double-CD configuration, was produced by the musician and his wife Amy, and is due out on August 21, 2020.   

 

It was recorded on the road during select intimate tour dates in the U.S. supporting his recent Blue With Loustudio album. “My dear friends who made that album all agreed to come. Andy Newmark, Kevin McCormick, Cindy Mizelle, and my brother Tom Lofgren joining us to form an amazing band,” notes Nils. “In preparation for the tour my wonderful wife Amy hosted us all in our home and garage studio to put the show together. Amy designed our merchandise, cooked beautiful food for us and created a safe, welcoming musical environment for all. We created the show’s foundation to work from and headed out to share this fresh, new band.”

 

Improvisation has always been a key element in live performances for Nils, a veteran member of some of the greatest rock bands in history, as well as an accomplished and successful solo artist. “All the band members are old friends used to being encouraged to stretch out and improvise with me,” he explains. That freedom shows throughout Weathered. “Our crew did a fabulous job getting everything right for us to do our best every night.” He continues, “Regularly hearing inspired, improvisational surprises from your fellow bandmates elevated our interaction and made for one of a kind, unique shows every night. We all thrive in a live setting and at every show, the audience kicked the music up to a special level we only reach with their contagious, inspired energy.” That comes across brilliantly on this celebratory live album. 

 

The album contains live renditions of two of the Lou Reed/Nils Lofgren penned songs, “Don’t Let Your Guard Down” and “Give,” along with Nils’ rocking protest song “Rock or Not” and the tenderly wistful “Too Blue to Play,” all from the Blue With Loualbum. Cindy Mizelle’s heartfelt vocals complement throughout the double album, but on “Big Tears Fall” they take the lead and on the duet “Tender Love” they are especially powerful.    

 

In addition to her soulful harmonies, you’ll also hear Cindy’s improvisational “scatting” throughout, becoming another instrument inside this stellar band. The dark, minor blues “Too Many Miles” is a wonderful example of this.

 

Nils pushes his electric soloing to new heights throughout. In “Give,” a co-write and timely lyric with the great Lou Reed, you’ll hear him at his improvisational best, launching into a “backwards” guitar segment, mid solo.

 

There’s a fabulous 14-minute-plus version of the haunting “Girl in Motion,” set up by a wonderful studio story of Ringo Starr watching the original recording go down and offering amazing advice. 

 

It’s very rare for Nils to get the entire band that made a studio record out on the road with him. It pays off dramatically here. Andy Newmark on drums (John Lennon, Sly Stone, David Bowie, Eric Clapton…) Kevin McCormick on bass, vocals (Crosby, Stills and Nash, Jackson Browne, Melissa Ethridge, Keb’ Mo’…) Cindy Mizelle on vocals (Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, Steely Dan, Bruce Springsteen…) and Tom Lofgren on guitars, keyboards, vocals, who’s been playing with Nils since his early band Grin, combine to create a fresh, inspired take on these classic Nils songs. 

   

Weathered includes “Like Rain”from Grin and seven other standards from his solo work.Nils’ brothers Mike and Mark Lofgren join the band on the Hank Williams classic “Mind Your Own Business.”The art of improvisation resurfaces during the “Jam / Papa Was a Rolling Stone,”which builds to a crescendo before his classic “I Came To Dance.”

 

“We kept the shows reckless and fun with a lot of jamming and interaction. Tour bussing from town to town all over America, we all brought our collective experience and love for performing to every show,” Nils reflects. “Turning up to ‘eleven’ and wailing inside this amazing band was a joy and revelation to me, having been away from playing with my own electric band for so long.  Proud to share this rough and ready collection that breathes new life and inspiration into the best of my songs. 

 

“After 51 years on the road, I’m so grateful to have been inspired by this band and our audiences as never before!”

http://www.nilslofgren.com

Grammy® Award-winning guitar virtuosos

RODRIGO Y GABRIELA unveil all-new double live album 

METTAVOLUTION LIVE RECORDED 'Mettavolution Live' recorded during last year's Mettavolution World Tour 

LIVE LUMBINI SESSIONS FEATURING ORIGINALS AS WELL AS COVERS OF

MOTORHEAD, BILLIE EILISH, DUA LIPA AND MORE AVAILABLE NOW

METTAVOLUTION LIVE ARRIVES

VIA RUBYWORKS/ATO ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2

photo credit: Ebru Yildiz

GRAMMY®-Award-winning guitar virtuosos Rodrigo y Gabriela have announced the upcoming release of METTAVOLUTION LIVE, an all-new double album recorded during last year’s METTAVOLUTION World Tour. The 13-track collection arrives as a 2LP, 2CD, and digital download via Rubyworks/ATO on Friday October 2; pre-orders are available now.

“Hearing this recording is to be able to reconnect with our marvelous fans from our live gigs during 2019,” say Rodrigo y Gabriela, “the year we got to promote our METTAVOLUTION album all over the world. That was the very moment we felt truly complete as artists and musicians.”

METTAVOLUTION LIVE is heralded by today’s premiere of an awe-inspiring, 20-minute-plus live version of Pink Floyd’s epic “Echoes,” audaciously reimagined for two acoustic guitars and streaming now.

LISTEN TO “ECHOES”

PRE-ORDER METTAVOLUTION LIVE

The release of METTAVOLUTION LIVE comes in the wake of a deeply creative period that Rod and Gab are continuing to experience in these pandemic days at home in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. One of the world’s most in-demand live acts, the duo had planned to spend this summer celebrating METTAVOLUTION and their historic GRAMMY® Award triumph with an eagerly awaited world tour. Instead, they performed an extremely popular NPR Tiny Desk (Home) performance in April, and have been releasing their daily Lumbini Sessions with inspired live versions of their favorite metal songs, film themes, jazz tunes, RyG album cuts as well as covers of Motorhead, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Dave Brubeck, Van Morrison, Lil Nas X, Radiohead and more.

WATCH NPR’S TINY DESK (HOME) PERFORMANCE

WATCH THE LUMBINI SESSIONS

2019 proved a milestone year for Rodrigo y Gabriela, highlighted by the release of their GRAMMY® Award-winning new album, METTAVOLUTION (ATO). The duo’s fifth studio LP and first album in five years, METTAVOLUTION made a spectacular chart debut upon its April 2019 release, entering Billboard’s “Americana/Folk Albums” chart at #1 with first week equivalents in excess of 11,000 – Rodrigo y Gabriela’s second best sales week ever. In addition, the album arrived at #2 on Billboard’s “Rock Albums,” as well as #10 on “Top Album Sales” and #71 on the overall SoundScan/Billboard 200.

Hailed by Pitchfork as “fast, heavy, and relentlessly precise,” METTAVOLUTION ultimately earned Rodrigo y Gabriela their first-ever GRAMMY® nomination and first-ever GRAMMY® win for “Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.” Rodrigo y Gabriela celebrated the album with a truly global 92-city work tour, performing METTAVOLUTION in its entirety each night alongside fan favorites and classic pieces from their beloved original canon. As now captured on METTAVOLUTION LIVE, the shows saw the virtuoso duo operating at the very peak of their powers, the perfect balance of melody and metal, fire and finesse, honed over two decades of musical collaboration.

Indeed, the new album stands out as some of the most powerful music of Rodrigo y Gabriela’s remarkable career, including spectacular live versions of METTAVOLUTION’s crunching “Terracentric” and propulsive title track. The duo’s third official live release, METTAVOLUTION LIVE is further driven by breathtaking performances of such longtime concert favorites as “Diablo Rojo,” “11:11,” and “Tamacun,” offering ample evidence of Rodrigo y Gabriela’s staging virtuosity and dedicated commitment to using music as a positive force for healing and inspiration in trying times.

With career album sales now in excess of 1.5 million worldwide, Rodrigo y Gabriela have undoubtedly established themselves as the planet’s preeminent acoustic guitar duo, earning international acclaim and a fervent fan following with their awe-inspiring mastery of their instruments as well as a truly distinctive approach to melody, energy, and rhythm. Three years in the making, METTAVOLUTION embraces the duo’s passionate interest in Buddhism, the history of human evolution, and the liberation of the potential we have as a species, all expressed through the medium of two acoustic guitars. Conceived and composed in their studio in Ixtapa on the Mexican Pacific Coast, the album’s music - including six white-hot new compositions and an inspired, side-long cover of Pink Floyd’s sprawling “Echoes” – was road-tested around the world on tour in 2017 and 2018 before being recorded in Los Angeles with multiple GRAMMY®-winning producer Dave Sardy (Oasis, LCD Soundsystem, A Perfect Circle, Band of Horses) behind the board.

Along with its popular success and GRAMMY® Award win, METTAVOLUTION also drew a wide range of critical acclaim, with Pitchfork writing, “METTAVOLUTION reassures that for as long as they’re around, Rodrigo y Gabriela will be echoing their influences as only they can.” “For Rodrigo y Gabriela, the meditation is actually in the swirl of notes and rhythmic strums that circle around their music,” wrote NPR. “And if we follow their lead, there is a meditative quality for the listener as well.” “METTAVOLUTION finds the duo locked back in,” wrote Glide, “and where their last record was dedicated to their influences, this time it is all about the visceral primal passion of playing and what originally connected them to music.” “Rodrigo y Gabriela continue to impress with their ability to shift through a variety of Latin, folk and rock styles without ever taking the easy routes,” noted Uncut, while AllMusic’s Thom Jurek applauded “the abundant originality and soul R&G bring to everything they play,” adding, “METTAVOLUTION is the Rodrigo y Gabriela record where all of their gifts are on display and in sync; it sends listeners on a holistic journey of musical discovery and emotional resonance.”

RODRIGO Y GABRIELA

METTAVOLUTION LIVE

(Rubyworks/ATO)

RELEASE DATE: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2

TRACKLISTING:

Krotona Days

Witness Tree

The Soundmaker

11:11

Diablo Rojo

Echoes

Mettavolution

Tamacun

Gabriela Solo

Electric Soul

Cumbe

Hanuman

Terracentric

CONNECT WITH RODRIGO Y GABRIELA:

OFFICIAL

INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

Dawes announce new album; releases first song/video

Today's big music news  is that acclaimed Americana quartet Dawes is set to release their next album this fall. Listen to the first track released from the disc, "Who Do You Think You're Talking To?" out now...You can read my review of Dawes' excellent performance opening for Jeff Lynne's ELO a few years ago here.

Dawes wish everyone 'Good Luck With Whatever' 

“WHO DO YOU THINK YOU’RE TALKING TO?” SONG/VIDEO PREMIERES TODAY

GOOD LUCK WITH WHATEVER

ARRIVES VIA ROUNDER RECORDS ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2

Dawes / Photo credit: Clara Balzary

Veteran American rockers Dawes have announced the release of their extraordinary new album. The Los Angeles-based band’s seventh studio LP, GOOD LUCK WITH WHATEVER arrives via Rounder Records on Friday, October 2; pre-orders are available now. Produced by 6x GRAMMY® Award-winner Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit) at Nashville’s famed RCA Studio A, GOOD LUCK WITH WHATEVER is heralded by today’s premiere of “Who Do You Think You’re Talking To?,” available now at all DSPs and streaming services. The high-spirited track is joined by an official companion video, streaming now at the official Dawes YouTube channel.

LISTEN TO “WHO DO YOU THINK YOU’RE TALKING TO?” (LINK)

WATCH “WHO DO YOU THINK YOU’RE TALKING TO?”

PRE-ORDER GOOD LUCK WITH WHATEVER

GOOD LUCK WITH WHATEVER – which marks Dawes’ first release on their new label, Rounder Records – follows a series of acclaimed self-released albums including 2013’s STORIES DON’T END, 2015’s ALL YOUR FAVORITE BANDS, 2016’s WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE, and 2018’s PASSWORDS, all of which reached the top 10 or higher on Billboard’s “Top Rock Albums” and “Americana/Folk Albums” charts.

From its first downbeat, the new LP sees Dawes frontman Taylor Goldsmith grappling with the expectations of adulthood on a remarkable cycle of new songs fueled by many of the same elements that first earned the band worldwide attention and applause – graceful melodies with kinetic riffs and intricate musical interplay. Throughout the album, Dawes once again prove incredibly adept at pushing the emotional limits of the classically structured rock song, a testament to their tightly honed yet imaginative musicianship and the gripping specificity of Goldsmith’s songwriting. A culmination of their entire catalogue and decade-long career all wrapped up in nine glorious tracks, GOOD LUCK WITH WHATEVER reclaims the rugged urgency and easy confidence of Dawes’ early work while tapping into the veteran band’s intense musical connection more effectively than ever before.

“In the past, I’ve definitely been more precious about the way I wanted the songs to sound, but that’s never as fun,” Taylor Goldsmith says. “The music we make is everyone’s mode of expression, and the other guys all have chops that I don’t have and never will. The fact that we’re able to lean on each other and celebrate each other as individuals just makes us so much more excited about getting to play together in this band.”

Dawes also recently unveiled LIVE FROM RICHMOND, VA, a spectacular 11-track concert recording available exclusively as a digital download via Bandcamp; all proceeds will be divided between Reform LA Jails and Black Lives Matter Los Angeles.

Dawes is: Taylor Goldsmith (guitars, vocals), Griffin Goldsmith (drums), Wylie Gelber (bass), Lee Pardini (keys).

DAWES

GOOD LUCK WITH WHATEVER

(ROUNDER RECORDS)

RELEASE DATE: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2

TRACKLISTING:

Still Feel Like A Kid

Good Luck With Whatever

Between The Zero and The One

None Of My Business

St. Augustine At Night

Who Do You Think You’re Talking To?

Didn’t Fix Me

Free As We Want To Be

Me Especially

# # #

CONNECT WITH DAWES:

DAWESTHEBAND.COM

INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

YOUTUBE