Waiting FOR THE Call

Song by Song synopses and Credits

1. LIVIN’ FOR THE ONES (Bonnie Raitt/George Marinelli)

 Bonnie Raitt’s response to aging and the thinning of the herd provides a perfect introduction to this collection. This Stones-like retooling acts as a rollicking letter of intent: Singer Shana Blake’s delivery is pure defiance; the pugilism of drummer Terry Anderson puts The Reaper on the ropes, and saxophonist Tim Gordon and guitarist Michael “B” Bennett unleash scorched earth solos. Make no mistake: This IS for “those who didn’t make it.” 
  

Credits:
Shana Blake: Lead and background vocals.
Michael “B” Bennett: Lead guitar.
Rob Slater: Acoustic guitar.
Gino “Woo Funk” Grandinetti: Electric guitar.
Ed Bumgardner: Fuzz Bass.
Terry Anderson: Drums, tambourine. 
Jason Atkins: Piano.
Tim Gordon: Tenor and baritone saxophones, horn arrangement. 
Brad Wilcox: Trumpet.
Daniel Collins Hodges: Background vocals. 

(Recorded and mixed in 2021 by Daniel Collins Hodges.)
 

3. WAITING FOR THE CALL (David Knopfler)

Death. The Great Inevitable. Some folks trip over The Reaper’s outstretched foot and stumble into harvest. Others gently shed life like a discarded overcoat. This hymn by David Knopfler offers perspective from one poised to lose a loved one. The pastoral arrangement, centered around Jack Gorham’s piano and accordion, packs an emotional wallop. But it’s the singing of Mike Strauss and Lindsay Ryan Horne - a blend of sadness and maternal balm - that tugs at the heart. 
  

Credits:
Mike Strauss: Lead vocal.
Lindsay Ryan Horne: Harmony vocal.
Rob Slater: Acoustic guitar.
Jack Gorham: Grand piano, accordion.
Matt Kendrick: Acoustic upright arco bass. 

(Recorded and mixed in 2021 by Daniel Collins Hodges.)
 

5. SEE WHAT TOMORROW BRINGS (Doyle Bramhall II, Doyle Bramhall Sr.)

Among musicians, Texan guitarist, singer and songwriter Doyle Bramhall II is one of the most respected players on the planet. But to the average fan, Bramhall remains largely underappreciated. This track, from the his band ARC Angels, puts the spotlight on Bramhall’s full talent while also nodding to his deep respect for Jimi Hendrix. The narrative is a personal farewell to a fallen friend - which makes it perfect for this project. Best buckle up: Singer Rebeka Todd’s no-holds-barred performance will leave you stunned.

Credits:
Rebekah Todd: Lead and harmony vocals.
Rob Slater: Acoustic and electric guitars, feedback.
Gino “Woo Funk” Grandinetti: Electric 12-string guitar. 
Ed Bumgardner: Bass.
James Brock: Drums.
Jason Atkins: Piano, Mellotron. 

(Recorded and mixed in 2021 by Daniel Collins Hodges.)
 

7. YOU’RE SO RUDE (Ronnie Lane/Ian McLagan)

Jack Cornell’s spirited reading of  the Faces’ “You’re So Rude” was, in the woozy, wobbly spirit of the Faces, “to have us a real good time.” Mission accomplished! Cornell’s fantastic vocal makes obvious his love of the song and the Faces. Guitars weave and jab with faithful aplomb, and keyboardist Billy Livsey - who worked with Ronnie Lane in Slim Chance - pays jaunty homage to the late Ian McLagan. Toss in a good-time horn section, and this pub-bound party’s complete. 
  

Credits:
Jack Cornell: Lead vocals.
Rob Slater: Electric guitar.
Gino Grandinetti: Electric guitar.
Ed Bumgardner: Bass.
David “DK” Kim: Drums.
Billy Livsey: Wurlitzer 220-A electric piano, Hammond C3 tone-wheel organ.
Tim Gordon: Baritone and tenor saxophones, horn arrangement. 
Brad Wilcox: Trumpet.  

(Recorded and mixed in 2021 by Chris Garges.)
 

9. REAL (De Piratas)

De Piratas’ debut album was released behind a beaded curtain of anonymity (who are these guys?). The album is full of hooky, big-guitar anthems. Tucked amid the detonation was “Real,” an out-of-tune, woozy ballad that seemed the kinda-country cousin to an album filled with glorious guitar noise. Peeling back the chaos exposed a bonafide country song about aging and making music. Add pedal-steel guitar, banjo, and vocalist Travis Shallow…voila!

Credits:
Travis Shallow: Lead and background vocals.
Shana Blake: Background vocals. 
Rob Slater: Acoustic guitar.
Ed Bumgardner: Bass.
David “DK” Kim: Drums.
Brian Swenk: Banjo.
Ricky Lee Nathey: Pedal-steel guitar.
Peter Holsapple: Harmonium.  

(Recorded and mixed in 2022 by Daniel Collins Hodges.)
 

11. WE GOT IT (Eddie Hinton)

The Big Moment at any Arrogance show was when singer Don Dixon squeezed the sin out of Percy Sledge’s “When A Man Loves A Woman.” Decades later, Dixon again raises goosebumps with his righteous reading of “We Got It” by Eddie Hinton. The arrangement is stripped back, opened up and slowed down to allow Dixon to testify. Organ worthy of Booker T., soul-sister background vocals by Shana Blake, and Memphis-bound horns combine underscore this definition of soul. 
  

Credits:
Don Dixon: Lead vocal.
Chris Garges: Drums.
Ed Bumgardner: Bass.
Rob Slater: Electric Guitar.
Gino “Woo Funk” Grandinetti: Electric guitar, guitar solo.
Doug Davis: Hammond C3 organ.
Tim Gordon: Baritone and tenor saxophones, horn arrangement. 
Brad Wilcox: Trumpet. 

(Recorded and mixed in 2019 by Chris Garges.)

 

 2. YOU ARE SACRED (Peter May)

 Peter May is one of North Carolina’s most skilled disciples of acoustic Piedmont-style blues. So it hardly comes as a surprise that his “You Are Sacred” stands as a feel-good, quasi-religious song that would snugly fit within the catalog of Rev. Gary Davis. May’s finger-tangling picking is authentically daunting, and the hill-country addition of tuba smartly carries May’s acoustic track into territory once championed by Taj Mahal. Blues salvation at its most arresting.  

 Credits:
Peter May: lead vocal, acoustic guitars.
Molly J: Tuba.
(Recorded in 2020 and mixed in 2021 by Chris Garges.) 

 

 

 

 

4. THE LOVE YOU GIVE (Ed Bumgardner, Chuck Dale Smith)

The Allisons' short existence (1984-1986) was once described by a wag who called the quintet “the greatest NC band you never heard.” Recordings with Mitch Easter lured major and indie labels, but it was not to be. But one song, the fan fave “The Love You Give” has endured. Perhaps it is the song’s whiff of R.E.M. Or maybe it is Chuck Dale Smith’s timeless examination of the equity of love. Maybe, just maybe, NOW is the song’s time. Does anybody remember laughter? 
 

Credits:
Chuck Dale Smith: Lead vocals, electric 12-string guitar.
Ed Bumgardner: Bass, background vocals, percussion.
Gino “Woo Funk” Grandinetti: Electric and acoustic guitars.
Ted Lyons: Drums. 

(Recorded and mixed in 1985 by Mitch Easter at Drive-In Studio, Winston-Salem. Remixed in 2021 by Chris Garges at Big House Studio, Charlotte.)

 
 

 

6. JUST CAN’T CRY ANYMORE (Tim Krekel, Matraca Berg, Marty Stuart)

This rollicking song for the broken-hearted exemplifies what the late, great Tim Krekel did best. The song takes a saga of teary-eyed loss and, through a roadhouse arrangement and wry lyrics, tells the protagonist to shut off the waterworks and get on with life. The result is a ton of rowdy fun. Inspirational lyric: “Baby you’re the reason I been bleeding all the blue from my eyes."

Credits:
Bruce Hazel: Lead vocals.
Shana Blake: Lead vocals, harmony vocals.
Rob Slater: Acoustic guitar.
Gino “Woo Funk” Grandinetti: Electric guitar.
Ed Bumgardner: Bass.
Michael “B” Bennett: Electric guitar solo and fills.
Jack Gorham: Grand Piano.
John Harrell: Drums, Hammond C3 organ. 

(Recorded and mixed in 2022 by Daniel Collins Hodges.)
 

8. ASSAWT (Tinariwen)

This song is the catalyst behind the Be Good To Yourself project. The DeFacto Brothers’ rendition of Tinariwen’s “Assawt” first appeared on a sampler of Winston-Salem musicians interpreting Tinariwen’s music - a vote of solidarity for the North African Bedouin band after the group, which is Muslim, received death threats in advance of its Winston Salem show. This rollicking reading is colored by electric 12-string guitar, wah-wah guitar, bass, an exotic sax solo, and FOUR percussionists. The joy is palpable.

Credtis:
Rob Slater: Electric Guitar, electric 12-string guitar.
Gino “Woo Funk” Grandinetti: Wah-Wah electric guitar.
Ed Bumgardner: Bass.
Matt Kosma: Saxophone. 
Larry Carman: Drums.
Chris Garges: Percussion.
Vernon Sumwalt: Percussion.
Daniel Cox: Percussion.  

(Recorded and mixed by in 2019 by Chris Garges; additional work in 2022 by Daniel Collins Hodges.)
 

10. YOUNGER FACE (Dan Baird)

Dan Baird worked with Terry Anderson in The Yayhoos, so Anderson is the perfect person to tackle Baird’s song about an aging musician confronted by a cocky “younger face.” Walls of guitars, grinding Hammond organ, and knockout-punch drums shore Anderson as he examines the dichotomy between the boastful arrogance of the the young lion and the been-there wisdom of the veteran. Pay attention - the reveal is in the last four words. A telling song and performance.

Credits:
Terry Anderson: Lead and background vocals.
Jack Cornell: Background vocal.
Rob Slater: Electric guitar, backwards solo.
Gino “Woo Funk” Grandinetti: Electric guitar.
Ed Bumgardner: Bass.
Chris Garges: Drums.
Doug Davis: Hammond C3 organ.  

(Recorded in 2020 and mixed in 2021 by Chris Garges.)

12. SOONER OR LATER NOW (Bruce Hazel)

Bruce Hazel’s anthemic “Sooner Or Later Now” was one of the standout tracks on the first “Be Good To Yourself” compilation. The song’s narrative was personalized by the unfiltered passion and pleading desperation of singer Danielle Howle’s delivery. Hazel now takes the song back with this intimate, emotionally charged solo piano-and-vocal performance of the song. It is a real lump-in-the-throat moment.

Credits:
Bruce Hazel: Vocals.
John Harrell: Piano, backing vocal.
Daniel Collins Hodges: Backing vocal.  

(Recorded and mixed in 2022 by Daniel Collins Hodges.)