The Wildroots – Wildroots Sessions Volume 1
Celebrating 16 years of a musical partnership that began in 2005, Victor Wainwright and Stephen Dees have released a new Wildroots record ‘Wildroots Sessions Volume 1’.
Their take on the Eddie Floyd/Steve Cropper penned hit ‘634-5789’ is a soulful duet between Wainwright and the soft sounding Patricia Ann Dees with the late Eddie Zyne on drums (the album is dedicated to him), lead guitar from Todd Sharp, David Kent tickling the ivories and Mr John Oates providing rhythm guitar and backing vocals alongside Beth McKee. A strong start IMHO.
‘Move Along Part 1’ is a groovy blend of Robert Caban on percussion and drummer Billy Dean as they give space for Greg Gumpel’s electric guitar solo. Oates returns to provide the lead vocal on ‘Our Last Goodbye’ (an original composition written by Stephen Dees) complete with a Billy Joel-Esque Tenor Sax solo from Charlie DeChant. Wainwright’s very early festive offering with Leiber and Stoller’s ‘Santa Claus Is Back In Town’ puts a smile on my face whilst ‘Square’ puts me in a poetry-slam environment complete with Mark Roffe’s bongos and Doug Bare on Hammond Organ.
Co-written by Pat Travers and Stephen Dees, ‘Misty Morning in New Orleans’ has a radio-friendly vocal and harmonica by Mark Hodgson and will appeal to fans of Paul Weller’s dulcet tones! ‘In A Sad Room’ is a truly heart-breaking number not just because of the tender lyrics that remind me of a Foreigner tune or Chris Merell’s majestic voice but the fact that it includes the late Lucky Peterson on Hammond Organ, the late Scott Corwin on drums and Merrell also passed away. Hauntingly beautiful.
In conclusion, this sixteen-track record is brimming with talented musicians and songwriters and it is the kind of album that over time will grow on you will mean something different to each listener.
The Wildroots new album ‘Wildroots Sessions Volume 1’ is out now on Wildroots Records. For more information visit www.WildRootsRecords.com
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