Acclaimed New England-based guitarist/singer Paul Gabriel latest CD, Man of Many Blues, coming from Smoke Ring Records. Produced by Duke Robillard (who also guests on the new CD), Man of Many Blues was recorded at Lake West Studio in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, by Jack Gauthier, and also includes perennial Blues Music Award nominee Sugar Ray Norcia (of Sugar Ray & the Bluetones) as a special guest.
“This is one of the most special recordings I have ever done,” Gabriel says about the new album. “It’s being dedicated to my dear friend, Georgia Louis, the great 1960s Gospel and Blues singer; and it’s also special in that this is my sophomore recording with Duke Robillard producing.”
Man of Many Blues contains 13 all-original songs featuring Gabriel backed by an all-star cast of musicians, including Duke Robillard (acoustic archtop guitar, electric guitar); Scott Spray (a veteran of both Edgar and Johnny Winter bands), long-time Gabriel friend and band member Frank Davis and Paul Opalach (bass); Mark Teixeira (drums); Sugar Ray Norcia (harmonica); Bruce Bears (piano and Hammond organ; Lonnie Gasperini (Hammond organ); Howard Eldridge (vocals); Christine Ohlman (backing vocals); Mark Earley (tenor and baritone sax); and Doug James (baritone sax).
“One of the most interesting things for me while recording this record,” Gabriel remembers, “was using a very special Les Paul Guitar and Fender Super Reverb Amp exclusively that delivers a very inspiring tone, (in my opinion) somewhat reminiscent of the late Michael Bloomfield, my favorite guitarist.”
Both Bruce Bears and Mark Texeira are long-time members of the Duke Robillard Band. “Many other special musical guests appear on the album, as well,” adds Gabriel,“ including vocalist Howard Eldridge, an alumni of Matt ‘Guitar’ Murphy and The Blues Brothers Band; Mark Earley from Roomful of Blues; and Doug James from Roomful and The Jimmie Vaughan Band. Sugar Ray Norcia supplied magnificent harmonica, and the Beehive Queen, herself, Christine Ohlman delivered soulful backing vocals.
Working with Duke Robillard and engineer Jack Gauthier is always a pleasure and a tough combination to beat. It was a constantly inspiring work environment through the entire process. I am thrilled with the outcome and consider it a great honor to have worked with everyone involved on this album.”
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