Steve Jordan & Jim Keltner II

V/A - Bessie OST

V/A - Bessie OST
Sony Music 88875099702 (2015)







Track Listing:
1. Queen Latifah - Young Woman's Blues
2. Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks - A Hot Time In The Old Town
3. Carmen Twillie - Prove It On Me
4. Louis Armstrong & His Hot Seven - Weary Blues
5. Queen Latifah & Pat Bass - Weepin' Woman Blues
6. Tamar-kali - See See Rider
7. Kid Ory's Creole Jazz Band - Ballin' The Jack
8. Queen Latifah - Down Hearted Blues
9. Fats Waller & His Rhythm - A Good Man Is Hard To Find
10. Queen Latifah - Preachin' The Blues
11. Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks - I've Got What It Takes (But It Breaks My Heart To Give It Awat)
12. Queen Latifah - Work House Blues
13. Sippie Wallace - I'm A Mighty Tight Woman
14. Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra - (What Did I Do To Be So) Black And Blue
15. Cécile McLorin Salvant - Laugh, Clown, Laugh
16. Queen Latifah - Long Old Road
17. Bessie Smith - Gimme A Pigfoot And A Bottle Of Beer (2015 Remix)









Personnel On Tracks # 5,16:
Jim Keltner - drums
Queen Latifah - vocals
Pat Bass - vocals
Michael Valerio - bass
Dan Higgins - clarinet
Lawrence Sieberth - piano
Charles Loper - trombone
William Murillo - trumpet
George Doering - guitar
Bill Liston - saxophone

V/A - Gotta Serve Somebody/The Gospel Songs Of Bob Dylan

V/A - Gotta Serve Somebody/The Gospel Songs Of Bob Dylan
Columbia Columbia Records 5111262000 (2003)







Track Listing:
1. Shirley Caesar - Gotta Serve Somebody
2. Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC's - When You Gonna Wake Up
3. Dottie Peoples - I Believe In You
4. Fairfield Four - Are You Ready
5. Sounds Of Blackness - Solid Rock
6. Aaron Neville - Saving Grace
7. Helen Baylor - What Can I Do For You?
8. Chicago Mass Choir - Pressing On
9. Mighty Clouds Of Joy - Saved
10. Rance Allen - When He Returns
11. Bob Dylan And Mavis Staples - Gonna Change My Way Of Thinking










Personnel On Track #5:
Jim Keltner - drums
Steve Deutsch - bass
Fred Tackett - guitar
Billy Preston - Hammond B3 organ
Terry Young - piano
Ann Nesby, Billy Steele, Carrie Harrington, Core Cotton, Cynthia Johnson, Gary Hines, Latrice Verrett, Patricia Lacy, Terrence Frierson - vocals

Don Randi - Baked Potato Shuffle

Don Randi - Baked Potato Shuffle
The Baked Potato BPL-22001 (1988)






Side One:
1. Pensivo
2. Don't Stop Now
3. Lady Shady
4. Two Brothers




Side Two:
1. Baked Potato Shuffle
2. Carlito Lindo
3. Malibu Nights








Personnel:
Jim Keltner, Carlos Vega, Hal Blaine, Tom Brechtlein, Vinnie Colaiuta, Walfredo De Los Reyes Jr. - Drums
Don Randi - Piano, Synthesizer
Dan Sawyer - Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar
Tom Lilly - Bass
Ralf Rickert - Flugelhorn
Bobby Torres, Luis Conte - Percussion
Chuck Camper - Reeds
Ralf Rickert - Trumpet

Jim Keltner Interview On I'd Hit That Podcast

Jim Keltner On Paiste

Do What You Do!

Steve Jordan & Jim Keltner

Al Jackson Jr. tribute Q&A at the Memphis Drum Shop, October 18, 2015.

Sonny Boy Thorn - Sonny Boy Thorn EP

Sonny Boy Thorn - Sonny Boy Thorn EP
(2015)





Track Listing:
1. Dance To The Beat
2. Bang
3. Wild And Free
4. Beware
5. Shelter








Personnel:
Jim Keltner - drums, percussion
Christopher Thorn - vocals, guitar, producer
Davie Dennis - vocals
Frank DiVanna - percussion
Hayden Scott - drums
Matt Flynn - drums
Rami Jaffee - keyboards
Glen Graham - drums

Black Grass - Black Grass

Black Grass - Black Grass
Shelter Records SW-8916 (1973)




Track Listing:
1. Sweeping Through The City
2. Come Across Your Bridge
3. Early Morning Rain
4. I'm So Grateful To You
5. Great Day
6. Lock, Stock, And Barrel
7. Going Down To The River
8. Give, Give, Give
9. Burnin' Love
10. Morning Train








Personnel:
Rev. Patrick Henderson - Piano, Organ, Tambourine, Moog, Clavinet, Electric Piano, Vocals
Nawasa Crowder - Vocals
Mary Ann Lindsey - Vocals
Phyliss Lindsey - Vocals
Jim Keltner - Drums
Leon Russell - Piano, Producer
Freddie King - Guitar
Don Preston - Guitar
Carl Radle - Bass
Chuck Blackwell - Drums
Mike McKinney - Bass
Butch Bonner - Guitar
John Le May - Synthesizer, Bass

Unsung Rock Hero: 10 Great Tracks With Jim Keltner On Drums

 

Jim Keltner is one of the great Rock session drummers of all time. You have heard hundreds, if not thousands of songs that he has played on. The Los Angeles-based drummer got his start in the Capitol Records pop music machine in the 1960s, but it was his work with Delaney and Bonnie, Leon Russell and Joe Cocker in the late sixties that led to a career drumming alongside Rock royalty.

He’s an incredibly versatile musician who can play any style from jazz to blues to punk. But his style is not about big solos or pyrotechnics. He’s a pocket drummer, settling in the perfect groove to serve the song. That’s why he continues to be the go-to drummer after all these years, whether it’s as an emergency replacement, a tour drummer, or simply the best recording session guy available.

Here is a sample of his work, in chronological order:

Paul Revere And The Raiders – Him or Me (1967)

Keltner worked with several 60s pop acts including the Raiders and Gary Lewis and the Playboys. This track was a wall of sound session with three drummers and five guitarists, including James Burton, Ry Cooder and Glen Campbell.

John Lennon – Mind Games (1973)

Lennon, Harrison and Starr each recorded multiple albums with Keltner, and each established lifetime friendships with him. It became a bit of a running joke that he never recorded with McCartney.

Steely Dan – Josie (1977)

Steely Dan recording sessions were like the all-star games for studio musicians. Keltner got his chance at the plate on this track, and he lays down the perfect groove.

Ramones – Do You Remember Rock & Roll Radio (1980)

The story goes that Phil Spector made Marky Ramone hit the same drum note over and over again for hours, and kept the band in the studio at gunpoint until they got the fucking thing right. Needless to say, band morale suffered, and Keltner was summoned to redo the drum parts.

Pink Floyd – Learning To Fly (1987)

Another Jim Keltner rescue job. Roger Waters was going to take his ball and go home, but David Gilmour wanted to make a Floyd album without him. Drummer Nick Mason felt he was out of practice and didn’t want to participate, so the call went out for the big gun, who delivered as always.

Richard Thompson – Why Must I Plead (1991)

An example of Keltner’s incredible touch. You don’t have to play drums loud or fast to play them beautifully. Listen for the soft rolls, the relaxed snare on the backside of the beat, the barely-touched high-hat. The outro with Thompson’s sweet, muted licks is a master lesson in the power of restraint, sometimes I listen to it over and over again.

Bob Dylan – My Back Pages (1993)

Dylan used Keltner on several albums in the ‘80s and ‘90s, but you can’t get Dylan recordings on YouTube, so I’ve included this video from Dylan’s 30-Year recording anniversary at MSG, which also provides the bonus of watching Jimmy playing his kit.

Sheryl Crow – Every Day Is A Winding Road (1996)

Musicians love Keltner’s casual, loose feel because it gives their songs a rounded, organic sound, but his style disguises the incredible precision and deceptively simple patterns of his technique.

George Harrison – Brainwashed (2002)

Keltner had this to say about his dear friend George: “Forget his singing, I mean, I used to just love to just listen to him talk. And all the funny stories about him recently about being the quiet Beatle – he was the most talkative person I know. He didn’t stop talking. But the thing that was beautiful about George was that he always had something to say. I used to see people get their feelings hurt being around him. It was almost as if he couldn’t not tell the truth.”

Pretenders – Boots Of Chinese Plastic (2008)

Chrissie Hynde was reforming her band and regular drummer Martin Chambers was unavailable. So who ya gonna call? Keltner showed off his rock chops on the album, but never toured with the band. He was too busy working .

Bruce Springsteen ‎- Philadelphia Live

Bruce Springsteen ‎- Philadelphia Live
Save The Earth Love The Music STE 034/Unofficial Release (1994)






Track Listing:
1. Streets Of Philadelphia
2. Warm And Tender Love
3. Human Touch
4. Because The Night
5. Brilliant Disguise
6. Soul Driver
7. Who'll Stop The Rain
8. Green River
9. Born On The Bayou
10. Glory Days
11. Come Together
12. Curtis Mayfield
13. I Ain't Got No Home
14. Vigilante Man









Personnel:
Jim Keltner - drums (tracks: 7, 8, 9)
Bruce Springsteen - vocals, guitar, harmonica
Patti Scialfa - backing vocals
Garry Tallent - bass, backing vocals
Max Weinberg - drums
Nils Lofgren - electric guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
Danny Federici - organ, piano, backing vocals
Roy Bittan - piano, synthesizer, backing vocals
Clarence Clemons - saxophone, percussion, backing vocals
Don Was - bass
Mark Goldenberg, Robbie Robertson - guitar
Benmont Tench - organ
Axl Rose - vocals
John Fogerty - vocals, acoustic guitar

Tom Cochrane - Take It Home

Tom Cochrane - Take It Home
Universal Music Canada 0254718016 (2015)






Track Listing:
1. Can't Stay Here
2. Sunday Afternoon Hang
3. Diamonds
4. Country Girls Never Get Old
5. When The Light Starts To Fade
6. Pink Time
7. First Time Around
8. The Ones That I've Known
9. Another Year
10. A Prayer For Hope
11. Back In The Game










Personnel:
Jim Keltner - drums
Tom Cochran - vocals, guitar, harmonica, mandolin, keyboards, banjo, ukelele, producer
Kenny Greer - pedal steel guitar
Bill Bell - guitar, producer
Chris Joyner - keyboards
James Hutchinson - bass
Kristian Attard - bass
Davide Direnzo - drums

Paul Revere & The Raiders featuring Mark Lindsay ‎- Revolution!

Paul Revere & The Raiders featuring Mark Lindsay ‎- Revolution!
Columbia Records CS-9521 (1967)






Side One:
1. Him Or Me-What's It Gonna Be?
2. Reno
3. Upon Your Leaving
4. Mo'Reen
5. Wanting You
6. Gone-Movin' On




Side Two:
1. I Had A Dream
2. Tighter
3. Make It With Me
4. Ain't Nobody Who Can Do It Like Leslie Can
5. I Hear A Voice





The bonus tracks on CD:
12. Ups And Downs
13. Try Some Mine
14. Legend Of Paul Revere
15. Him Or Me-What's It Gonna Be
16. Reno
17. Upon Your Leaving
18. Mo'reen
19. I Had A Dream
20. Tighter
21. I Hear A Voice







Personnel:
Jim Keltner - drums
Drake Levin - guitar, vocals
Mark Lindsay - vocals, saxophone, percussion
Paul Revere - organ, vocals
Mike "Smitty" Smith - drums, vocals
Phil "Fang" Volk - bass, vocals
Jim "Harpo" Valley - guitar
Terry Melcher - arranger, producer
Jerry Cole, Ry Cooder, Freddy Weller, Mike Deasy, Ketih Allison, Joel Scott Hill, Glen Campbell, James Burton, Taj Mahal - guitar
Hal Blaine, Jim Gordon, Joe Correro - drums
Joe Osborne, Ray Pohlman, Charlie Coe, Chris Ethridge - bass
James Bond - bass, viola
Larry Knetchel, Ron Collins - piano, keyboards
Van Dyke Parks - keyboards
Roy Collins, Ollie Mitchell, Jules Chaikin - trumpet
Lew McCreary, Louis Blackburn - trombone
Jay Migliori, Plas Johnson, Jim Horn, John Kelson, Tom Scott - saxophone
David Burke, Ralph Schaeffer, Israel Baker, Nathan Kaproff, Albert Steinberg, Lou Klass, Joseph Stepansky, George Kast, William Kurasch - strings
Margaret Aue, Ralph Kramer, Emmet, Sergeant, Jan Kelly - cello
Charles Shoemaker, Ed Thigpen - percussion
Terry Hoffman - harmonica

Kristin Berglund - Long Distance Love

Kristin Berglund - Long Distance Love
Talent Records TLS 4015 (1979)





Track Listing:
1. Steal Him Away
2. It's In Everyone Of Us
3. Money Honey
4. Hometownshaker
5. If I Had A Way With Words
6. Just A Kiss Away
7. You Really Got A Hold On Me
8. It's All Over Now
9. Isn't It Always Love
10. Long Distance Love








Personnel:
Jim Keltner, Steve Forman - percussion
Kristin Berglund - vocals, acoustic guitar
Tom Patrick Salisbury - producer, arranger, keyboards, background vocals
Jeff Porcaro, Bruno Castellucci - drums
David Hungate, Gene Santini - bass
John Mac Rebennack, Larry Muhoberac - keyboards
Jay Graydon, David Lindley, Elliot Randall, Sneaky Pete Kleinow, Fred Tackett, Billy Joe Walker - guitar
Ian Underwood - synthesizers
Joe Pollard - syndrums
Pietro Lacirignola - alto saxophone
Knut Riisnaes - tenor saxophone
Chris Smith - steel guitar
Fred Tackett - mandola
Linda Dillard, Kimm Hekker, Patricia Maessen, Herb Pedersen, Jody Pipier - background vocals
Albert Sperguel - concertmaster

Louise Goffin - Appleonfire

Louise Goffin - Appleonfire (EP)
Majority Of One Records (2015)





Track Listing:
1. Everything You Need
2. Higher Than Low
3. I'm Not Rich But I'm Not Poor
4. Take A Giant Step (with special guest Jakob Dylan)
5. It's Not The Spotlight
6. If I'm Late (featuring Joseph Arthur)










Personnel:
Jim Keltner - drums (1,2,4,5)
Louise Goffin - vocals, producer, piano
Barry Goldberg - producer, Hammond B3 organ, Wurlitzer
Bob Glaub - bass
Val McCallum - guitar
Jakob Dylan - vocals
Joseph Arthur - Prophet, harmonica, vocals
Wally Ingram - drums, percussion
Gar Robertson - acoustic guitar
Stevie Blacke - strings, string arrangement
Butch Norton - percussion
Lee Curreri - string arrangement, Hammond B3 organ, drum programming
Billy Harvey - guitar
Sofia Hoops - backing vocals

Jim On The Wrecking Crew

Brian Wilson - No Pier Pressure

Brian Wilson - No Pier Pressure
Capitol Records 002177202 (2015)







Track Listing:
1. This Beautiful Day
2. Runaway Dancer
3. What Ever Happened
4. On The Island
5. Half Moon Bay
6. Our Special Love
7. The Right Time
8. Guess You Had To Be There
9. Don t Worry
10. Somewhere Quiet
11. I m Feeling Sad
12. Tell Me Why
13. Sail Away
14. One Kind Of Love
15. Saturday Night
16. The Last Song









Personnel:
Jim Keltner - drums
Brian Wilson - vocals, producer, arranger, piano, Hammond B3 organ, keyboards
Jimmy Riley, Tom Bukovac - electric guitar, acoustic guitar
Al Jardine - vocals
Dean Parks - electric guitar, acoustic guitar
Don Was, Michael Rhodes, Bob Lizik, Zachary Dawes, Brett Simons, Shane Soloski - bas
Joe Thomas - producer, piano, Hammond B3 organ, keyboards
Kenny Aronoff, Vinnie Colaiuta, Chad Cromwell, Eddie Beyers - drums
Nelson Bragg - percussion
Scott Bennett - percussion, backing vocals, vibes, piano, Hammond B3 organ
Richie Davis, Marc Goldenberg, Nick Walusko - guitar
Probyn Gregory - guitar, french horn
Darian Sahanaja - piano, vibes, Hammond B3 organ
Probyn Gregory - vocals
Matt Jardine - vocals
Jeffrey Foskett - guitar, vocals
David Marks - guitar
Blondie Chaplin - vocals
Kacey Musgraves - vocals
Nate Ruess - vocals
Zooey Deschanel - vocals
M. Ward - guitar
Peter Hollens - vocals
Sebu Simonian  - vocals, programming, keyboards
Mark Isham - flugelhorn, trumpet
Jeff Lanz - keyboards
Joey Grzyb, Gary Griffin - accordion
Wayne Bergeron, Larry Hall, Tim Bales, Rob Parton, Carey Deadman - trumpet
Charles Morales, Dave Stahlberg, Tom Garling - trombone
John Mason - french horn
Paul Van Mertens - saxophone, flute, bass harmonica, arranger, conductor
Peter Kent - concertmaster
Chihsuan Yang, Sharon Jackson, Clayton Haslop, John Wittenberg, Songa Lee, Amy Wickman, Mark Robertson, Julie Rogers, Marisa Kuney, Charlie Bisharat - violin
Scott Hosfeld, Brian Bandy, Caroline Buckman, Darrin McCann, Joann Tominga - viola
Jill Keading, Cameron Stone, Alisha Bauer, Giovanna Clayton, Vanessa Freebairn Smith - cello

Claire Séverac - Dream With Me

Claire Séverac - Dream With Me
AVC Records AVL-4002 (1988)






Side One:
1. Dream With Me
2. Eyes Of Love
3. Baby You're All I Want
4. C'est Le Seul Homme
5. Heart Of Hearts
6. Souvenirs Du Futur




Side Two:
1. More Than You Know
2. La Vie Dansante
3. Come Back To Bed
4. Hold On To The Dream
5. A Cet Enfant
6. Hang On To Your Heart








Personnel:
Jim Keltner, Chet McCracken - Drums
Claire Séverac - Vocals
David Soul, Peter Beckett, Billy Swan, Albert Hammond, Baron Longfellow - Vocals
Bill Lanphier, Jay Lewis - Bass
Al Gorgoni, Dan Off, Jay Lewis - Guitar
Gabriel Katona, Jeff Lorber, Mark Ross - Keyboards
Barry Mann - Vocals, Producer
James Donnellan, John Parker - Producer
Danny Pelfrey, Larry Klimas - Saxophone

Jim Oblon: The Epiphone Interview

Nashville musician connects new sounds and tradition with "Sunset"

Ask anyone who has ever moved to Music City U.S.A. with dreams of making a living in the music business--whether as a singer, songwriter, producer, engineer, or musician, (take your pick)--nothing can quite prepare you for the variety of talent working in Nashville. Especially when you meet a musician like Jim Oblon who can do all of the above with grace, wit, and endless invention. It's enough to make most pickers go home.

Jim Oblon is, as his colleagues freely admit, a musician's musician; a superlative guitarist, bassist, drummer, writer, singer, arranger, and thinker of music. The kind of fellow that inspires even the most seasoned players to put aside an evening and go see him play live in a local club because he's too good to pass up. *And for their convenience, Jim appears every Tuesday at the FooBar in Nashville when he's not traveling. (Also check out Live from the Foobar now on iTunes)

As we discovered in our interview, this intriguing artist is also a great guy to talk to. And it's especially welcoming to find someone whose love for the blues radiates in his playing and his conversation. Jim's latest album Sunset puts all his gifts and inspired spirit on display with two serious cats for bandmates, drumming legend Jim Keltner and GRAMMY winning keyboardist Larry Goldings. It's a great introduction to Jim's democratic feel for American music. And a new album with some of Nashville's deep roster of talent is on the way.

Mr. Oblon is a longtime Epiphone fan and this spring, he's giving fans a chance to win some superb Epiphone goodies just by playing along to three original grooves he created. It's a great way for players around the world to show their stuff. Visit the contest page for details.

This spring, Jim is on tour with longtime friend and fan Paul Simon, a continuation of a musical friendship that began with Jim's multi-instrumental contributions to Simon's So Beautiful, So What.

---------------------------

Thanks for speaking with Epiphone.com, Jim, and for the great tracks you contributed for our spring giveaway. How did you discover your love for music?

I grew up with a basement filled with instruments and that home was in Connecticut. One of my family members was going to college for classical organ, so I would go with her to a church and listen to her practice playing Bach... I was about age 5. I think because of that, around 12 years old, I studied classical guitar. I really wanted to improvise on these simple pieces. Unfortunately, that was a serious "no go" for the teacher. Later on I realized J.S. Bach would improvise 4 part inventions and then sing a 5th part over it.

I hung in there for two years, but that was the end of classical music lessons. Although my parents had a great record collection, there where not that many "guitar records." That bug bit me at around 12 years old. I remember seeing B.B. King at that time with Bobby Blue Bland and Ko Ko Taylor. That was a really incredible night. I started buying his records along with Albert Collins and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Then later in life around age 23, my Aunt was getting rid of all these Chet Atkins records, and I saw a picture of him playing with a thumb pick. I thought "you can play electric guitar with a thumb pick?" Around that same time I was taking lessons on South Indian frame drum, and all these influences sort of came together. I could play with my fingers and a thumb pick and it was like the classical technique I learned and a frame drum. I saw Albert Collins playing with just his fingers and a light bulb went off. I started off practicing by playing blues licks with a thumb pick, and my style developed out of that. Guitar is certainly my main love now, more than anything else. But now, if I play with a flat pick, it's like watching a declawed cat trying to climb a tree!

Musicians who play multiple instruments have an easier time "hearing" the whole picture in terms of rhythm and structure. How does playing other instruments inform your guitar playing?

I think it helps in understanding the relationships between the instruments and how they fit together. It makes me realize that I need to play really good time on guitar. That way the bass player and drummer can be freed up to contribute creatively. It's not their sole job to hold down the time keeping. Everyone in a band has equal responsibility in that. At least, that's my opinion. One of my favorite bass tracks is on "Have You Ever Been (To Electric Ladyland)" and that's Jimi Hendrix on bass.

What Epiphone instruments have you been playing on the road and can you tell us some of the songs they get used on?

I've been using the new Ltd. Ed. Elitist "1966" Riviera. On tour, I get a guitar feature on a Chet Atkins arrangement of a tune called "Wheels." I use the Epiphone on that. Then I have to immediately switch to drumkit and play an African tune in 9--crazy switch! I'm also putting the finishing touches on a new record recorded in Nashville. The name of it is called Black Cat. I used the Riviera on that also. (Note: Jim is currently using one of the first Ltd Ed 1966 Elitist Riviera's produced for sale in Japan. We hope to expand the distribution and sale of this new Elitist model to other markets in the near future.)

When you're traveling, do you like to switch guitars depending on the song or do you prefer to stick to one instrument?

I have 3 main electric guitars. The Epiphone Ltd. Ed. "1966" Elitist Riviera, a '59 reissue Les Paul, and a Telecaster I put together with a roasted maple neck. I go through periods where I'll stick to one. But usually I bring two to a gig, and maybe play one on each set. But really, I think it's like being a little kid running around your house. You know the staircase so well that you can kind of fly up and down it without thinking. I think that's the reason why some people stick to 1 or 2 instruments.

Do you find that you try to change your style a bit to accommodate the guitar you're playing? In other words, do archtops inspire a particular kind of musical approach compared to a solidbody?

Yes, a semi hollow guitar, like the Riviera, adds a "body warmth" that you can't get from a solid body guitar. Especially up top on the fret board, there is more warmth to the high notes. I think also, living with so much recorded history, I feel cool playing the Riviera knowing that Otis Rush played one.

Your latest album Sunset came out last year. It seems like it's a great portrait of all the different sounds and styles that inspire you. What was your inspiration for the album and for bringing in drummer Jim Keltner?

As far as the inspiration of making it, I'll answer honestly, and it's a bit strange. I write letters to God on my laptop, and then I put it in a folder. Once it goes in the folder, I consider it "sent". That year, I had made some extra money, and I thought "what should I do with it?" I put that question in a letter on my laptop, "sent it" and when I was walking along a canal in Georgetown, Washington D.C/, this idea came to me... "you should make an album with Jim Keltner". So I thought, "that's an amazing idea." Fifteen minutes later, I ran into my friend who had worked with Keltner and told him the idea. He called Jim, and then I called Jim, and we talked it out. I didn't have enough original material, so I brought 3 original tunes and about 13 new arrangements of old tunes. We did the album in two days, and everything is a first or second take. If we didn't get it 1st or 2nd take, we trashed the song and moved on to the next one. Keltner was so important to the project because he is a huge part of rock and roll history! If music has an army, Jim Keltner is a 5-star general. It was a dream band to work with him and Larry Goldings. They're the best!

You've been keeping a weekly show in Nashville. Are you surprised more guitarists don't take up that kind of show?

I like doing that because it's important to have a "workshop". You can practice at home but playing live with people you really like... there is no substitute for that. There are a lot of weekly gigs in town and most of those are on Broadway (Ed: Broadway is in downtown Nashville and home to a number of late night honky tonks).

I'm finding my way with writing and arranging. Some things work and some don't. It's nice to have a place to try stuff out. On Broadway, I think people are there to hear honky tonk music, and there is less experimenting going on. It's more of a "show." On this new record, there is a Sonny Terry cover, but the rest of the tunes are ones I wrote. So, that gig was a good place to try the tunes out before going into the studio.

Can you tell us who's on your upcoming record?

Sure, I'm the rhythm section on most of it. Playing guitar, bass and drums. In fact, there was a recent Paul Simon session where I played piano, maracas and some analog electronic sounds on his track. I thought, "I should make a record utilizing myself the way he does." I laid down the basic tracks. Justin Francis and Clint Lagerberg helped me with recording it. Then I called Pat Bergeson to play some harmonica, Bucky Baxter on pedal steel, and Dave Roe and Byron House laid down some acoustic bass. Pete Abbott is playing drums on a live-in-the-studio track. Also, Luke Bulla played fiddle on a track, and John Deaderick on harpsichord and some celeste. It's a record that could only be made in Nashville. The people I mentioned, I can't tell you how much respect I have for them, as people and as musicians.

Nashville's music community is constantly evolving. Where do you see the city is headed?

I don't want to answer that, I might get in trouble (laughs). People are so "passionate" about Nashville now. I was in Melbourne, Australia and there is a "Nashville style" hot chicken place. I found myself at the counter listening to Loretta Lynn and eating hot chicken... in Australia! Nashville has captured people's imaginations. Saying that, a lot of people want to bring back "authentic country music" or the "good old days". But Nashville had Johnny Cash, and once his record company thought he was irrelevant (and not making money) they dropped him like yesterday's newspaper. If that's the good old days, I want to move forward. They dropped a guy who helped invent country/rockabilly/rock and roll.

If we could make you a signature Epiphone, what would it be?

Oh man, let me think... maybe a Riviera, but no "f" holes, like on B.B. King's guitar. Then instead of mini-humbuckers, put some Firebird pickups in there. The finish would be black, with a red sparkle pickguard, and white knobs from an Epiphone Broadway. Then, find some cool headstock inlay from a pre-World War II Epiphone. Call it the Black Cat!

Let's inspire some of our fans to look back at your influences. If you had to pick the top five albums that have influenced you the most or that you think people need to hear, what would they be?

I might go over 5 a little bit...

1. Albert King, Lovejoy (Jim Keltner is on some of those tracks)

2. Freddie King, My Feeling for the Blues

3. B.B. King, Lucille

4. Blind Willie Johnson, Dark Was the Night

5. Khalifa Ould Eide & Dimi Mint Abba, Moorish Music From Mauritania

6. Roy Buchanan, Roy Buchanan

And if you can find one... Charley Patton, Screamin' and Hollerin' the Blues (Revenant Box set)

Diana Krall - Wallflower

Diana Krall - Wallflower
Verve Records (2015)







Track Listing:
1. California Dreamin'
2. Desperado
3. Superstar
4. Alone Again (Naturally)
5. Wallflower [feat. Blake Mills]
6. If I Take You Home Tonight
7. I Can't Tell You Why
8. Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word
9. Operator (That's Not the Way It Feels)
10. I'm Not in Love
11. Feels Like Home
12. Don't Dream It's Over
13. In My Life
14. Yeh Yeh [feat. Georgie Fame]
15. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word (Live / 2014)
16. Wallflower (Live / 2014)









Personnel:
Jim Keltner - drums, percussion
Diana Krall - vocals, piano
David Foster - producer, arranger
Stephen Stills - vocals

Graham Nash - vocals

Michael Bublé - vocals

Bryan Adams - vocals

Blake Mills - guitar

Christian McBride - bass

Timothy B. Schmit - vocals

Chris Walden - arranger
Jochen Van Der Saag - programmer