Dale Watson Announces New Instrumental Album, “The Memphians”
Dale Watson is digging even deeper into his recently-established Memphis roots, and presenting the first ever instrumental album in his prolific career when he releases The Memphians on February 26th. First relocating part-time to Memphis in 2017, Watson has since established himself as an important revivalist and preservationist in the “Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock ’n’ Roll.” Exploring the rich sounds of the city’s history is what the new record is all about.
“I never tied the Memphis music influence to my guitar playing until I started this instrumental project,” says Watson. “It seems Scotty Moore, Luther Perkins, Roland Janes and Carl Perkins influenced me as much as Duane Eddy, Chet Atkins and Merle Travis. I just didn’t know it because their music had legendary singers on them that overshadowed them. Those singers, Elvis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins, and a host of other Sun Studio singers I call ‘Ameripolitan’ artists today, because it is by definition — original music with prominent roots influences. So, with that realization, I put them all together and labeled us, The Memphians.”
Along with being a singer, songwriter, and legendary Chicken $hit Bingo host, Dale Watson is respected as a guitar player as well, and gets to stretch his legs on this 10-song set. And these aren’t reprisals of classic Memphis tunes. These are original songs, mostly written by Watson, with four co-writes featuring Italian guitarist Mario Monterosso. Other musicians featured on the set include Danny Banks on drums, T. Jarrod Bonta on piano, Carl Caspersen on upright bass, and Jim Spake on saxophone.
The entire set was captured in two days at Dale’s Wat-Sun Studios in the basement of his Elvis-inspired house right down the street from Graceland in Memphis, produced by Dale himself with engineer Cris Burns twisting and tweaking the knobs.
The album is preceded by the song “Hernando’s Swang” (listen below) paying tribute to the legendary club that Watson saved and restored, and now uses as his base of operations.
This one should be fun, and is now available for pre-save/pre-order.
The Memphians Track Listing:
1. Agent Elvis (Watson, Monterosso)
2. Dalynn Grace (Watson)
3. Alone Ranger (Watson, Monterosso)
4. Standin’ in Line (Watson)
5. Serene Lee (Watson)
6. Deep Eddy (Watson)
7. Hernando’s Swang (Watson, Monterosso)
8. Mi Scusi (Watson, Monterosso)
9. 2020 (Watson)
10. Remembering Gary (Watson)
Tony
February 5, 2021 @ 12:18 pm
I can’t wait to hear this although I do really like Dale’s singing.
BTW I am proud to say my support for Dale got me kicked off Twitter!
Kevin Smith
February 5, 2021 @ 12:59 pm
This is good stuff. Merle Haggards band The Strangers, released at least 3 instrumental albums similar in style.. The Buckaroos also put one out. Ive got them in my collection and enjoy guitar heavy instrumentals. Others I recommend include the Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant duet albums, absolute musts for telecaster and steel fans. Joe Maphis and Merle Travis put out some fantastic instrumental collaborations as well that’ll blow you away if you like hot guitar shredding.
Dales been playing these songs live from his Hernandos broadcasts, and I recommend his YouTube channel if you didn’t know. He continues to do interesting concepts to challenge himself. He bought a big fat hollowbody guitar with a tremolo bar, and used it prominently on this record. And hes got Jim Spake on sax!
Bruce Bremer
February 5, 2021 @ 2:00 pm
Shared a bill with Dale many, many years ago. At the time I was not familiar with his music. Finished our set and settled in at the bar to hear Dale. I could not believe that voice came out of that guy! Amazing.
Mike
February 5, 2021 @ 3:27 pm
I’m looking forward to this. Should be fun. I wish Don Don, Chris and Mike were playing on it though.
Chris
February 5, 2021 @ 6:15 pm
I spend almost half my time in the Memphis area.
I will make plans to get to Hernando’s Hideaway real soon.
Dale is quite a gem
We’re glad he’s settled in Memphis
Mark
February 6, 2021 @ 7:57 am
fun tune.
Daniele
February 6, 2021 @ 10:57 am
Too bad that the first Dale Watson song with an italian name “Mi scusi” (litterally excuse me) will be an instrumental!!
Corncaster
February 6, 2021 @ 12:36 pm
I first heard Dale in a bar outside Madison, WI, around 1990. Little guy, BIG entertainer. It’s been great to see his career have legs over the long term. This album sounds like it would sit nicely alongside anything by JD McPherson. It’s hard not to wish Dale Watson well. And the beard suits him.
Franck T
February 7, 2021 @ 4:52 am
Hi,
big fan i’m since the Hightone years, album bought, lookin’ forward to receive it.
Franck, from France.
Captain Pistol
February 8, 2021 @ 9:50 am
This looks to be a respectable release & good to see Dale trying something different, but I suspect it will leave me jonesing for new vocal recordings.
Question for diehard Dale fans: I just turned up this track on youtube, a cover of Sammy Johns’ 1973 track ‘Chevy Van’. It looks to be a recent recording but I can’t find anything about a release. Any ideas? It’s as good as anything I’ve heard by DW.
https://youtu.be/062BmdcSElE
Pam Neely Kubiak
February 8, 2021 @ 1:21 pm
Dale is an amazing guitar player~mixed with all the other instruments you have one of the best instrumental albums I’ve ever heard !