February 5, 2015
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“He attacks his axe with unbridled ferocity and deep soulfulness; his depth and expression are matched only by his terrifying technique and tone.” – Guitar One
Guitarist Albert Cummings has wrapped recording in Los Angeles on his latest album for Blind Pig Records. The as-yet-untitled CD by the popular guitar slinger from Massachusetts is scheduled to be released early this summer.
The album was produced by Grammy-winner David Z (Buddy Guy, Prince, Jonny Lang, Gov’t Mule) at Clear Lake Audio. Said Z, “Albert Cummings writes, plays and sings the blues like nobody else. What a blast to watch him jell in the studio with some of the best musicians in Los Angeles.”
“Albert and I became fast friends and have stayed in touch since. That was 5 years ago. When I found out they were cutting a couple of blocks from my home I called David Z and said “Tell Albert I am there whenever he says!” And he ‘said’ and I ‘went’ and it was great!!”
One of those musicians was Blind Pig labelmate and leader of The Basic Cable Band on the Conan TV show, Jimmy Vivino. Jimmy recalled first seeing Albert: “One Wednesday night I saw a flyer that said this guy Albert Cummings was coming on Saturday night to play with Tommy Shannon and George Raines …. If this Texas tornado of a rhythm section was playing, this guy must be the real deal … So I went to see them. Of course it was the real deal and undiluted and dripping with Soul and Blues…. Real Blues.”
This album marks Albert’s return to the Blind Pig label, which released three highly acclaimed albums by him beginning in 2004. Billboard called him “a blues star who has arrived. Cummings’ guitar work is sizzling.” His recordings are consistent Blind Pig best sellers in the digital realm, especially his 2008 live album, Feel So Good, which Music Connection called “one of the best live albums recorded in a long time.” One particular fan favorite has been his medley entitled “Hoochie Coochie Man/Dixie Chicken.”
Guitar Edge said of the album, “The blues is best served up live, with an enthusiastic audience and a killin’ band, and that’s exactly what guitarist Albert Cummings does, driving his audience to frenzy in all the right places,” while Blurt called it “the perfect showcase for the fiery guitarist’s axe-handling skills and enormous onstage charisma.”
Cummings sounded very enthused about the new project and the L.A. recording process when he said, “I’m tremendously excited about this CD and the team of people that will be working this record. It was such a pleasure to also work with David Z and Jimmy Vivino and so exciting to share their excitement about the potential this record has.”