Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat announce the release of their new CD, Live at the Kessler, Underworld Records, was recorded live at the storied Kessler Theater in Dallas, Texas, on November 28, 2015. The album was produced by Jim Suhler and features smoking live versions of 13 songs that originally appeared on the studio albums, Panther Burn, Tijuana Bible, Bad Ju Ju, and “Dirt Road, plus two new songs, “Doin’ the Best I Can” and “Reverie.”
The band includes Jim Suhler (guitar, vocals), Chris Alexander (bass, vocals), Shawn Phares (keyboards) and Beau Chadwell (drums, percussion). Joining as special guests on Live at the Kessler are Tim Alexander on keyboards and Tex Lovera on cigar box guitar.
“I chose the Kessler Theater in Dallas for the recording of our live CD because it is the best listening room in the north Texas area, but still retains an excitement due to the intimacy of the room,” said Jim Suhler about the new album. “The sound is stellar, as well. I knew we’d have a happy, loving and appreciative crowd…which we did!”
Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat have been playing together for over twenty two years and have built a substantial fan base around Texas and worldwide. The Dallas-based group is known for its no holds barred approach to blues inspired rock ‘n’ roll and roots music. Their four Lucky Seven releases, two prior releases on Underworld Records and Jim’s solo acoustic CD, Dirt Road, on Topcat Records, have shown an amazing depth of songwriting and playing, and the group’s constant touring both in North America and Europe has garnered many admirers and accolades. The band has worked in the past with noted producers Terry Manning (ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, Stax Records), Jim Gaines (Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan) and Grammy Award-winning producer/songwriter Tom Hambridge (Buddy Guy, George Thorogood).
When he’s not playing or recording with his own band, Jim Suhler is also well-known as lead guitarist with George Thorogood & the Destroyers since 1999, has had his songs used in feature films and is a multiple nominee in the prestigious Dallas Observer Music Awards. In addition, Jim is also a member of Buddy magazine’s (Texas’ oldest music magazine) “Texas Tornado Hall of Fame.”
In addition to Live at the Kessler, Suhler is offering fans two special digital downloads at his website: “Lipstick Pickup,” co-written by Jim with Ray Wylie Hubbard and performed by Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat; and “Chasin’ Down the Devil,” written and recorded by Jim with the Tejas Brothers.
