Guitarist
Dudley Taft Unleashes Torrents of Blues-Rock Sounds on New CD, Summer Rain,
Coming September 15 from American Blues Artists Group Label
CD Dedicated to
America’s Men & Women in the Military
CINCINNATI, OH – Blues-rock guitar master Dudley Taft
announces a September 15 release date for Summer Rain, the newest
disc from the Cincinnati-based artist on the American Blues Artist Group label.
Summer Rain is his fifth studio album,
consisting of 11 all-original songs, and dedicated to the men and women of the
armed forces who accept tours of duty in far-away places, leaving their
families behind. A running theme of anguished separation and endless toil run
through the album.
“I have the greatest respect for those men and women who
serve in the military, especially those who are deployed halfway around the
world in the hot spots of sectarian conflicts,” Taft says. “This album pays
tribute to these soldiers who sacrifice much of their lives to defend freedom
and to support their families. The separation from their loved ones and
significant others must weigh heavy on their hearts.”
All of the basic tracks on Summer Rain were
recorded in Taft's own studio, which he purchased from the legendary Peter
Frampton in 2013. Appearing for the third time with Taft is Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall
of Famer Reese Wynans, who played keyboards for Stevie Ray Vaughan. “Reese
always has the best instincts and manages to take each song up a notch,” Taft
comments. “Check out the vibe he creates on the track ‘Live or Die!’ Jason
Patterson plays drums on all but two tracks, with Mike Tapogna on the skins for
the other two. Newcomer Kasey Williams handles the bass duties, except for
three songs played by long-time collaborator John Kessler. My daughter Charmae
adds some backing vocals to the title track song.”
A self-confessed guitar gear fanatic, Taft used several of
his newly acquired mid-sixties Fender amps on most of the songs, along with the
Tonehunter TNT to fill out the sonic palette.
The opening track, “Flying on Love,” is a bit of a departure
sonically. “I reached for my fuzz pedal and layered guitars over a couple of
killer drum loops and had Jason play on top of those,” he says about the
recording session. “The title track, ‘Summer Rain,’ clocks in a little under
six minutes, telling the tale of laboring miserably far from home under the hot
sun hoping for the rain to wash away the pain and cool things down.”
“Edge of Insane” is a lighter take on a jilted lover, while
“Pistols at Ten Paces” has a hint of political commentary, uncharacteristic for
Taft.
The final track, “Find My Way Back Home,” winds up the
stories on the album, with the protagonist finally returning home after a long
separation from his family.
Dudley Taft’s music career began in high school when he
founded the band Space Antelope with friend Trey Anastasio (of Phish). He then
expanded his creative juices as a guitarist and songwriter with two prominent
Seattle bands of the early 1990s, Sweet Water and Second Coming. Both had major
label deals and Taft enjoyed success with songs on the radio, in movies and
television.
In 2007, Taft started his solo career by playing songs from
Freddie King, ZZ Top and Albert Collins, to name a few. His first solo effort, Left
for Dead, was released in 2011. Deep Deep Blue followed
in 2013, and along with Left for Dead, was released in Europe on
the M.i.G. label. Screaming in the Wind debuted in 2014. His
last album, Skin and Bones, was released in 2015 and resonated
both with blues and rock critics and radio station deejays. It also yielded
several widely seen videos, including “Lonesome Memphis Blues,” and a killer
take on Johnny Winter’s “Leland Mississippi Blues,” both filmed on location.
Dudley's music can be heard on most every streaming site,
Sirius XM Radio and your favorite local blues show. His music has been featured
in movies and on television, most notably “The Sixth Sense” and on “That Metal
Show,” “Gene Simmons’ Family Jewels” and many more.
Dudley Taft recently returned from an extensive European
tour, which included him playing before a crowd of over 10,000 people at a
Polish music festival.
