West Coast-based singer Allison August announces a March 21 release date for August Moon, her new album on MoMojo Records. Produced by Grammy-winner Tony Braunagel (who also plays drums on most of the tracks), August Moon is a showcase for August’s sumptuous pipes, backed by a cadre of all-star musicians, including Paul Barrere (guitar); Mike Finnigan (keyboards); Lenny Castro (percussion); Bob Glaub (bass) and Maxayn Lewis/Teresa James (backing vocals).
Allison August has had music in her veins since an early age. She grew up in a household and family spanning four generations of music aficionados and luminaries from many genres. Her influences were diverse, from the Beatles to Billie Holiday, Etta James, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles to modern day Blues and R&B. In the earlier years of her career, she collaborated with Coco Montoya and then Paul Barrere of Little Feat, who also played on her latest recording.
After a few years of dedicated energy to make this new album, interrupted by Covid, she teamed up with Grammy-winner Tony Braunagel, and an amazing group of musicians was assembled by the two of them, along with her longtime bandmate and co-producer/bass player David J. Carpenter also by her side. The list of musician credits reads thick and heavy.
The team persevered interruptions and budget issues to deliver with August Moon a soulful manifestation of all the great songs that she wrote and co-wrote to come up with a narrative of marriage, motherhood, resilience, and life as a woman in Southern California singing her heart out. Listeners will experience heartache, joy and a determination to move you with her voice, these songs and all the great performances.
Allison’s Comments on August Moon Songs
“’Afraid of Love’ is a funky little jam about being torn between wanting love and connection but being too guarded to let down your defenses. ‘Dashboard Madonna’ is about my love/hate relationship with Los Angeles. It is a creative hub for artists and musicians with beautiful beaches, mountains and palm trees, but also filled with people struggling with poverty and homelessness. ‘I Won’t Say No’ is the story of friends and lovers who struggle navigating their complicated relationship. ‘What Would Mama Say?’ takes me back to my early twenties when life was carefree and fun, but pretty confusing, and my mother’s attempts to protect and guide me with (usually unheeded) advice.” ‘Blue Eyed Boy’ is about my son, our deep connection, and trying to navigate parenting a teenage boy. ‘Honey Jar’ is a Wood Brothers song that seeps into your bloodstream and makes you dance whether you want to or not. ‘Desiree’ is my beloved cousin who passed away several years ago. She was a bright light in this world and known to kids in the neighborhood as ‘Mama Dez.’ This song is my way of honoring her. ‘Dog In You’ reflects life's trials and tribulations, which often lead to great stories - and this is one of them. ‘Blues Is My Religion’ explores my disappointment with the misinterpretation of the teachings of the bible and other religious texts and how they are used to marginalize different groups of people instead of bringing them together in peace, love and respect for all man (and woman) kind. ‘The Cure’ came about while my friend Paul Barrere and I were both battling cancer. We would commiserate about the side effects of treatments, and I’d say, ‘talk soon,’ to which he’d reply, “If the cure don't kill me first!’ Anybody who knew Paul was privy to his sometimes, morbid sense of humor, and I really miss him. ‘I Ain’t Lyin’‘ talks about wanting to keep things simple in relationships by telling it like it is. ‘Born Yesterday’ is my ode to making the most of what you’ve got and aiming for the stars even when it seems the cards are stacked against you and daring to believe in yourself when no one else does.”
August Moon Track Listing and Credits
1)Afraid of Love: Drums - Bryan Head, Bass - David J. Carpenter, Guitar - Sam Meek, Organ - Phil Parlapiano, Percussion - Lenny Castro, Saxophone - Joe Sublett, Trumpet - Les Lovitt, Backing Vocals - Maxayn Lewis & Jen Castonon, Lead Vocals - Allison August
2)Dashboard Madonna: Drums - Tony Braunagel, Bass - David J. Carpenter, Guitars - Paul Barrere & Billy Watts, Piano - Mike Finnigan, Violin - Don Teschner, Percussion - Lenny Castro, Backing Vocals - Teresa James & Gregg Sutton, Lead Vocals – Allison August
3)I Won’t Say No: Drums - Tony Braunagel, Bass - David J. Carpenter, Guitar - Sam Meek, Horns - Dino Soldo, Keys - Mike Finnigan, Percussion - Lenny Castro, Lead Vocals – Sugaray Rayford & Allison August
4)What Would Mama Say?: Drums - Tony Braunagel, Bass - David J. Carpenter, Guitar - Sam Meek, Keys - Mike Finnigan, Percussion - Lenny Castro & Dino Soldo, Backing Vocals - Maxayn Lewis & Jen Castonon, Lead Vocals - Allison August
5)Blue Eyed Boy: Drums - Bryan Head, Bass - David J. Carpenter, Guitar - Sam Meek, Organ - Phil Parlapiano, Percussion - Lenny Castro, Backing Vocals - Maxayn Lewis & Jen Castonon, Lead Vocals - Allison August
6)Honey Jar: Drums - Tony Braunagel, Bass - David J. Carpenter, Guitar - Sam Meek, Keys - Mike Finnigan, Percussion - Lenny Castro, Backing Vocals - Maxayn Lewis & Jen Castonon, Lead Vocals - Allison August
7)Desiree: Drums - Tony Braunagel, Bass - David J. Carpenter, Guitars - Sam Meek, Organ - Mike Finnigan, Backing Vocals - Teresa James & Gregg Sutton, Lead Vocals - Allison August
8)Dog in You: Drums - Tony Braunagel, Bass - David J. Carpenter, Guitar - Billy Watts & Buzzy James, Percussion - Lenny Castro, Saxophone - Joe Sublett, Trumpet - Les Lovitt, Backing Vocals - Teresa James, Lead Vocals - Allison August
9)Blues is My Religion: Drums & Percussion - Tony Braunagel, Bass - Bob Glaub, Guitar - Josh Sklair, Organ - Phil Parlapiano, Saxophone - Joe Sublett, Trumpet - Les Lovitt, Backing Vocals - Maxayn Lewis & Jen Castonon, Lead Vocals - Allison August
10)The Cure: Drums & Percussion - Tony Braunagel, Bass - David J. Carpenter, Guitars - Paul Barrere & Billy Watts, Organ - Mike Finnigan, Harmonica - Jimmy Z, Backing Vocals - Teresa James & Gregg Sutton, Lead Vocals - Allison August
11)I Ain’t Lyin’: Drums – Tony Braunagel, Bass – David J. Carpenter, Guitar – Billy Watts, Organ – Mike Finnigan, Percussion – Lenny Castro, Backing Vocals – Teresa James & Gregg Sutton, Lead Vocals – Allison August
12)Born Yesterday: Drums - Tony Braunagel, Bass - Bob Glaub, Guitar - Josh Sklair, Organ - Phil Parlapiano, Saxophone - Joe Sublett, Trumpet - Les Lovitt, Backing Vocals - Maxayn Lewis & Jen Castonon, Lead Vocals - Allison August
Produced by Tony Braunagel; co-produced by David J. Carpenter and Allison August
Tracks 1,2,5,10,11 recorded at SlideAway Studio, engineered by John Scheffler & Chuck Kavooras; Tracks 3,4,6,7 recorded at Waystation Studio, engineered by JP Berrondo & Dave Way; Tracks 8,9,12 recorded at Jelly Bean Studios, engineered by Lee Escobar & JP Berrondo
Website: https://www.allisonaugust.com/
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