My debut full length record comes out on January 13th, but you can preorder it on iTunes now and immediately receive two tracks. One is a single I released a few weeks ago called "Don't Try To Wake Me Up" and one is a brand new single called "Cypress Hotel" featuring Luther Dickinson. It was a huge honor to have Luther play on my record and it was really, really fun to record with him. I'm the one playing slide and he's not. He takes the first lead and we trade off from there.
The album was produced by Ross Holmes, who played fiddle in Warren Haynes' Ashes and Dust Band and actually that whole band minus Jeff Sipe is on this record. Ross also plays with Bruce Hornsby.
Here's the iTunes preorder link:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/wooden/id1182501796?app=itunes
Also out today is a the most extensive interview I've ever done on a podcast created by the drummer on this record. I talk all about the album, Duane Allman, my influence from the Allman Brothers, touring with Butch, my vintage Gold Top and guitar gear, living in Nashville, TTB, and more. That's here:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ben-sparaco/id1043762952?i=1000378774634&mt=2
Hope you guys enjoy both! Check my website for more news and info if you like what you hear, and I hope to see some of you early next year on my east coast tour that will be announced very soon.
[Edited on 12/10/2016 by BenS]
[Edited on 12/10/2016 by BenS]
Congrats on the new album, what I heard sounded really good. I dig the "Basement Tapes" earthiness of "Don't Try to Wake Me Up".
Hey man, loved Cypress Hotel, and while Wake Me Up isn't normally my sound, I got hooked and listened to it at least 30 times. Looking forward to the whole thing. I'm out of the country Feb and March, I hope I don't miss when your tour hits the DC area.
Are you at Wanee again this year? I didn't realize I saw you play with Devon last year and wondered who the awesome slide player was, but missed your set. If you play again, that may solidify whether I hit Wanee or not this year.
PS: The Basement Tapes was a pretty good comparison.
Hey man, loved Cypress Hotel, and while Wake Me Up isn't normally my sound, I got hooked and listened to it at least 30 times. Looking forward to the whole thing. I'm out of the country Feb and March, I hope I don't miss when your tour hits the DC area.
Are you at Wanee again this year? I didn't realize I saw you play with Devon last year and wondered who the awesome slide player was, but missed your set. If you play again, that may solidify whether I hit Wanee or not this year.
PS: The Basement Tapes was a pretty good comparison.
Thanks, both of you. The Basement Tapes was probably the single biggest influence on this record.
I'll be in D.C./Baltimore 2/5 and 2/8. Sorry I can't give more details just yet, but I don't want to call anything as confirmed until I can do so without hesitation.
Wanee tickets are always a good thing to have though regardless of who's there...
[Edited on 12/12/2016 by BenS]
Thanks Ben, will have to order the new album. I was blown away with Ben's playing when I watched him with Butch's band. Butch is crazy to not have him tour regularly with him. Would love to see Ben do a recording project with any of the ABB musicians in the future.
Happy new year!
Last single before the release:
"Make Me Feel Alone Tonight"
https://soundcloud.com/ben-sparaco/make-me-feel-alone-tonight-final-master-private
This one is probably the most representative of the album as a whole. There's still mandolin, banjo, and acoustic guitar, but electric guitar, drums, horns, and a big slide solo too.
The whole thing is out January 13th. Release show at The East Room in Nashville on January 11th, and another at The Funky Biscuit in Florida on the 15th. The latter is the after party for Sunshine Music Fest and Matt Schofield, Mike Zito, and Albert Castiglia are also on the bill. There's ALWAYS guests that come over from the festival to jam...
That new Make Me Feel Alone Tonight is amazing, and the lyrics made me laugh. You sure you're only 18?
