Bluesrock: Albert Cummings – Ten

Albert Cummings – Ten

Label: Ivy Music Company
Release date: April 8, 2022

There are few albums today that are grounded in the blues but can still instantly jump off into a whole new sense of expression. On his new studio album TEN, Albert Cummings ventures into rock, country, soul, and Americana, while his songs range from wall-ratting tunes to soft ballads, with Cummings’ rugged, world-wise vocals hitting all the right moods. Musically diverse and emotionally cohesive, TEN’s 13 original tracks stand as a compelling statement about who he is now and where he may be headed. TEN will be released on April 8 via Ivy Music Company.

The first single, scorching rocker “Need Somebody,” premiered earlier via Guitar Player Magazine, who stated about Cummings, “With over two decades’ worth of solo releases under his belt, his recorded body of work catalogs a guitarist that has gone from strength to strength. Renowned for his raw, off-the-cuff stage performances, what you see really is what you get with this maestro.”

TEN was recorded in Nashville at Peter Frampton’s Phenix Studios. Helping Cummings craft his vision for this album was Grammy-winning producer Chuck Ainlay (Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits, George Strait, Peter Frampton, Miranda Lambert, Emmylou Harris, among others) and a dream team of musicians including drummer Greg Morrow, bassist Glenn Worf, keyboardist Michael Rojas, and guitarist Rob McNelley. “The music that started to be played in the studio sounded like it was being created on a whole new level,” Cummings raves. “I knew in a flash we were onto something. “

“Need Somebody” also represents another crucial element of TEN – the emotional depth Cummings reaches with his evocative lyrics. TEN is the first record where Cummings, as he explains it, “let the listener into my personal space.” The music is more songwriting-focused, with the guitar being used as a tool to drive the songs home. “Meet the Man” and “Too Old to Grow Up” provide vivid portraits of people living their lives, alongside a passionate ode of love on “She’s The One.” A song especially close to Cummings’ heart is “Beautiful Bride.” It’s the first song he ever sang in public –and he sang it at his own wedding.

A particular thrill for Cummings was working with Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill, who lends his vocal talent on the boisterous roadhouse tune “Last Call.”

Throughout his career, Cummings has strived not to place boundaries on his music and with TEN,he has raised the bar to a place where anything seems possible. “I have been playing for a lot of years and still find new ways of expressing myself,” Cummings says. “That’s what this album is all about to me. It supports my belief that I can accomplish whatever I set my mind to.” TEN is available for pre-order on February 18.

Cummings kicks off his 2022 tour tonight in San Juan Capistrano, CA with additional stops including Los Angeles, Oakland, Seattle, New York and Nashville. List of tour dates below.

Website: https://albertcummings.com/

Tracklist:
01. Need Somebody | 02. Too Old to Grow Up | 03. Hard Way | 04. Last Call
05. Beautiful Bride | 06. Sounds Like the Road | 07. Meet the Man | 08. Two Hands
09. Take Me Away | 10. Alive and Breathing | 11. She’s The One | 12. Got You Covered |
13. Remember