Blues and the Power of Peace

Description

About the Album

In making Blues and the Power of Peace, I have strived to bring you the best of both my worlds: the joy that is playing in New Orleans and recording in Nashville. The Nashville sessions took place in Johnny Neel’s new studio, Straight Up Sound.

Johnny produced my first five albums beginning in the 1990’s. It’s an honor to renew that musical collaboration for the seven original songs on Blues and the Power of Peace. Playing and recording with Johnny has that wonderful, “old home week” feel. As always, Johnny brings a group of top-tier Nashville sessions players. Working with these terrific musicians, and the fresh perspective that they bring, is both a challenge and a thrill.

The four tracks of the New Orleans sessions were recorded at Audiophile Studios in the French Quarter with guitarist Jack Kolb, bassist David Hyde, and drummer Bob Burke. The four of us have played together for well over a decade. These guys bring a tight musicality which has been honed over our many years as an ensemble.

All of these tracks would be considered bluesy songs with the exception of The Power of Peace, which is more introspective; thus the title. On this recording, the original songs express my feelings about our current political climate and the healing that the spiritual nature of music can bring.

Tracklist

1. Common Ground (Radio Edit) 5:10
Smoky Greenwell, Johnny Neal | Smoky Greenwell Music (BMI), The Real Neel Music (ASCAP)

2. Get Out and Vote 3:57
Smoky Greenwell, Johnny Neal | Smoky Greenwell Music (BMI), The Real Neel Music (ASCAP)

3. Low Blow for the Blues 5:09
Smoky Greenwell, Johnny Neal, Daryl Burgess | Smoky Greenwell Music (BMI), The Real Neel Music (ASCAP), Burg-Isle Music Inc. (SOCAN)

4. The Way Out Is In 4:54
Smoky Greenwell, Johnny Neal | Smoky Greenwell Music (BMI), The Real Neel Music (ASCAP)

5. Slow Moving Coup 5:40
Smoky Greenwell, Johnny Neal | Smoky Greenwell Music (BMI), The Real Neel Music (ASCAP)

6. The Power of Peace 6:34
Smoky Greenwell, Johnny Neal | Smoky Greenwell Music (BMI), The Real Neel Music (ASCAP)

7. High Sailing 3:08
Claude High | Glesco Music (BMI)

8. I’m A Lover (Not A Fighter) 3:44
Elbert Lee West | Songs of Peer Ltd. (ASCAP)

9. Flat Tire Blues 4:47
Smoky Greenwell, Johnny Neal | Smoky Greenwell Music (BMI), The Real Neel Music (ASCAP)

10. I Need Money (Keep Your Alibis) 4:33
James H. Moore | Embassy Music Corp. (BMI)

11. Hot Cha 4:16
James H. Moore | Embassy Music Corp. (BMI)

12. Common Ground (Extended Version) 8:39
Smoky Greenwell, Johnny Neal | Smoky Greenwell Music (BMI), The Real Neel Music (ASCAP)