James Burton,
Albert Lee, Amos Garrett and David Wilcox Are Guitar Heroes on New Live
CD, Coming May 5 from Stony Plain Records
Dream Team of
Telecaster Masters Create an Historic Roots/Rock Extravaganza on CD and Vinyl,
Recorded Live at Vancouver Island MusicFest
EDMONTON, AB – Stony Plain Records proudly announces a May 5
release date for Guitar Heroes, a very special live recording that
teams acclaimed guitar masters James Burton, Albert Lee, Amos Garrett and David
Wilcox for what promises to be one of the most heralded albums of the year.
Stony Plain Records (which is distributed in the U.S. by ADA) will release
Guitar Heroes in both CD and vinyl LP formats. The LP version will
be pressed on 180-gram vinyl and also include a card enabling purchasers to
download the full 11 tracks on the CD edition.
These four Telecaster Masters shake up the rock and roll
universe on this historic release, recorded during a one-time special
performance at the Vancouver Island (Canada) MusicFest on July 12, 2013. Rooted
in blues and rockabilly influences, each of the four legends have shaped and
changed the sound of popular music since the mid-1950s. The musicianship, good
taste, camaraderie and energized interplay showcased on stage that night made
guitar history, now preserved on recordings for everyone to experience. As
Albert Lee, himself, proclaimed that night, “Welcome to my dreams
here!”
Backing the four Guitar Heroes for this concert
were the members of Albert Lee’s regular touring band: Jon Greathouse
(keyboards/lead vocals), Will MacGregor (bass) and Jason Harrison Smith
(drums/background vocals). The 11-song repertoire recorded for the program is
presented just as it was heard that night, with no editing, overdubs or studio
sweetening. Just four amazing guitar players having fun together and creating a
magical night of music. Songs run the gamut of roots music, with explorations
into blues, rockabilly, rock ‘n’ roll and a touch of country.
Musical highlights on Guitar Heroes abound,
such as James Burton recreating his classic guitar licks on “Susie Q,” just as
he did on the Dale Hawkins’ original single back in 1957; Albert Lee going on
amazing guitar runs all over the album’s closer, “Country Boy;” Amos Garrett
launching into the stratosphere with his string-bending take of the rock ‘n’
roll gem, “Sleep Walk;” and David Wilcox going full-out with two masterful solos
on “Comin’ Home Baby.”
“As
Artistic Director of the Vancouver Island MusicFest, I get to dream up
collaborations like these for what will hopefully become once-in-a-lifetime
musical experiences,” says Doug Cox on the album’s liner notes. “This one
worked. It's truly rock and roll heaven, right here on Earth where there is
indeed, a hell of a band!”
Burton,
Lee, Garrett and Wilcox arrived on Vancouver Island a day early to rehearse at
the local Cumberland Hotel. The mutual respect was clearly evident from the
moment the four guitarists started to play together. “I remember standing out on
our main street, thinking how surreal it was to have James Burton, Albert Lee,
Amos Garrett and David Wilcox in our local watering hole in the middle of the
day swapping licks,” recalls Doug Cox in his notes. “It was like a gunslingers
gathering in an old saloon; one where all the survivors got together to enjoy
each other’s company like only survivors can. High-test, take no prisoners,
expect no mercy, guitar slinging at its best.”
And no
wonder: each of these players has a resume that would be the envy of any
musician on the planet. “James Burton, with his trademark ‘chicken pickin’
style, has created one of the most influential styles in country music and rock
and roll,” writes Cox. “His playing has become a well of inspiration for many
players, including the other musicians on this recording. Albert Lee took
influences from James’ style and made it his own, with tone to die for. To quote
his buddy Eric Clapton, Albert plays ‘like a jazz musician, but with
country scales; like Django, but with a bluegrass past.’ Amos Garrett, known as
the inventor of multiple string-bending on the guitar, is one of the most well
versed players in the business, with a history steeped in blues, country and
jazz (including classic solos, such as his work on Maria Muldaur’s “Midnight at
the Oasis.”) And iconic guitarist David Wilcox, who is perhaps one of Canada's
best kept secrets, has influenced a generation of Northern pickers with his
funky rhythms, quirky surprise licks and searing slide guitar that identify him
as one of our countries most unique players.”
James Burton (born Aug. 21, 1939, Dubberly,
Louisiana)
Career highlights: “Susie Q,” with Dale Hawkins (1957), 11
years with Rickie Nelson, Elvis Presley (1969-77), Gram Parsons & Emmylou
Harris' Hot Band, Jerry Lee Lewis, John Denver, Merle Haggard, Roy Orbison, the
TCB Band and thousands of sessions.
Albert Lee (born Dec. 21, 1943, Lingen, Herefordshire,
England)
Career highlights: Heads, Hands and Feet (1971-73), The
Crickets, Emmylou Harris and The Hot Band, five years with Eric Clapton, the
Everly Brothers, Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, Rodney Crowell, 20 plus solo albums
and thousands of sessions.
Amos Garrett (born Nov. 26, 1941, Detroit,
Michigan)
Career highlights: Ian & Sylvia's Great Speckled Bird
(1969-70), Maria Muldaur's “Midnight At The Oasis,” Paul Butterfield's Better
Days, The Amos Garrett, Doug Sahm, Gene Taylor Band, Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou
Harris, Jerry Garcia, Martin Mull, Jesse Winchester, etc.
David Wilcox (born Jul. 31, 1949, Montreal, Quebec,
Canada)
Career highlights: Great Specked Bird (1970-73), Nashville
North and The Ian Tyson (TV) show, Maria Muldaur, many Canadian hits and gold
and platinum albums as a solo artist. One of Canada's most influential roots
music guitarists, singers and songwriters.
“There are moments of deep
musical inspiration on these grooves; the kind that only happens when the music
becomes bigger than the individual players,” Doug Cox summarizes in his liner
notes. “All egos were
put aside, nothing to prove, no young, nervous energy, just veterans digging in
with musical colleagues in the truest sense. Thank goodness we recorded the
show, although at first it was just to be a souvenir for the players. Once we
heard the results we knew it had to be shared with the world. This is pure,
passionate music.”
