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.”