09/11/2023
OK dear hearts, here we go. Delighted to report that my good friend and colleague (oh, yes and ‘…internationally renowned folk blues and slide guitar specialist’) Dave Kelly releases his new album ‘Sun On My Face’ on 1st December via Repertoire Records.
I am immensely proud of the part that the Left Bank played in the recording of this album - Dave’s first album of completely new recorded material since ‘Resting My Bones’ and at a crucial juncture, given it is also his first release since The Blues Band retired.
This has been a very satisfying project and I am forever grateful to Dave for choosing the Left Bank. As his notes say, I’d ended up in his band a fair few times on either organ or bass and so when Bill Gaultier closed his facility (where Dave and the DKB had made a start before COVID hit), it made sense for him to bring it all here.
Ironically, given that we seem to spend much time doing precisely that, I didn’t have to do any of the drum tracking: Sam Kelly (no, the other one) did all that in his home studio. But other than some acoustic guitars, keyboards by Lou Stonebridge and bass by Homer Kelly-Tarrant, Dave and I did the rest here - most of his final guitars, certainly all his lead and slide parts, final lead vocals; I added piano, organ and bass on the ground-up tracks.
Some stragglers heard the kettle boil: fiddle by dear old Steve Simpson, some guitar from DKB stalwart (to say nothing of his years with Dave’s late sister Jo Ann) Pete Emery and - fittingly, given that while The Blues Band have called time, their duo thrives - some exemplary harmonica from the one-man institution that is Mr Paul Jones. I think it would take a heart of iron not to be thrilled to host such a notable musician, knowledgeable blues collector, avid fan and broadcaster with such a pedigree, especially in a studio as humble as this. I am sure I am not the only musician of my age who got a crash course in the genre from his much loved and missed radio shows.
British blues has come in for a lot of stick about how it is all too often watered down rock music these days: thus, it's doubly satisfying to explore the rootsier end of the genre as Dave always has, but make no mistake - this isn’t just a blues album. Dave is always keen to point out that the DKB was an outlet for his other passions and there are elements of folk, country and rock & roll on offer. Dave pulled some great originals out of the hat for this - my favourite being the title track which was one of the first songs we built from the ground up in this very room where I now write.
I am deeply honoured that Dave thought my subtle nods in certain directions when getting sounds and mixing the album were worth listening to enough to bestow me the credit of co-producer along with Bill Gaultier and Dave himself, as well as those of mixing and engineering. Thanks - that means a lot. As does the fact that my first commercial album mix went through the scrutiny of none other than Jon Astley (look him up; yes - Glyn Johns, The Eagles, All Things Must Pass - you are reading that CV right) at the mastering stage and feedback was very positive, with specific mention of the vocal sounds.
Right, then - I’m free. Who needs some songs recorded?
A small home studio with vintage vibe and good taste. Capable of taking a four piece live; Nord vintage-style keys and Ludwig drumkit provided.
