Nashville 2009-03-17

Hello again,

It's 70F degrees here in Nashville today. Spring can't come soon enough for me. I suppose it's my thin blood from being raised out West, but I've had enough winter. I'm ready to see the trees bust out in leaf again and give that outdoor grill a good work out.

A couple of albums that I'd mentioned on this page several months ago are finally available and I can't recommend them highly enough, not because I played on them, but because they're really great records. First, my buddy Phil Lee's "So Long It's Been Good To Know You" is loaded with smart, outrageous, funny tunes and occasionally so bittersweet it will make you tear up. You can listen to some of it at www.PhilLee1.com. This is the third album I've produced with Phil and it is unquestionably his finest writing; that's saying a lot because he's always been one of my favourites.

The other record is by David Peterson, "Comin' On Strong" and is available at CD Baby. David is a brilliant country/bluegrass singer and this record was recorded absolutely live in the studio, no overdubs or fixing things. It's the way records used to be made, you played it until everyone got it right at the same time and that was that. The steel guitar duties were spread among three legendary players, Buddy Emmons, the late John Hughey and Paul Franklin. This is an album of very hardcore country music and leaning toward the hillbilly side... decidedly 1950's. It's the kind of country music that I grew up listening to and I learned how to play guitar to this stuff. It is NOT for the faint of heart, but these songs and performances are nothing but heart-on-the-sleeve country music. Go to CD Baby and check out David Peterson, he's great. Dave's hosting an album release party/gig on March 26th here in Nashville at a cool club called 3rd & Lindsley, coincidentally the location of the place as well. Most of the band that played on the record will be onstage, including me. If you're in Nashville on the 26th, come by between 6 and 9 pm.

Just back from London and another couple of weeks recording with Mark Knopfler and the band for his new album. I won't go into detail, but will go out on a limb and say this is the best one we've done so far. It will be loads of fun to play on stage when we tour again.

I've got some session work lined up and will continue working on my own new record through the spring and summer and looking forward to this summer in Tennessee as last year's was spent touring and away from home.

All right, everyone stock up on your allergy meds, spring's just around the corner.

Richard

Nashville, Tennessee