Bman's Blues Library

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR

“ALMOST ALWAYS NEVER”

Joanne Shaw Taylor album artwork_lo res.jpg

THE NEW ALBUM RELEASED SEPTEMBER 17^TH

Following her acclaimed performance alongside Annie Lennox at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert in June, blues rock sensation Joanne Shaw Taylor will release a brand new studio album Almost Always Never on Monday September 17^th

Released by Ruf Records, Almost Always Never is Joanne’s third studio album, it coincides with a 13-date nationwide tour of the UK, which kicks-off on October 11^th at the Bristol Tunnels.

Born and raised in the Black Country, Joanne was ‘discovered’ by Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart as a 16 year old guitar prodigy. Through hard work and near-constant touring, she is now one of the hottest young names in British Blues. The UK tour will see her performing new tracks from Almost Always Never, alongside crowd favorites taken from her two previous albums - White Sugar (2009) and Diamonds in the Dirt (2010).

In both 2010 and 2011, Joanne was voted “Best British Female Vocalist” at the British Blues Awards. Her new album is produced by the legendary Mike McCarthy (Spoon, ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Patty Griffin) in Austin, Texas.

"Mike McCarthy comes from a very different musical background from me,” says Joanne. “He pushed me out of my comfort zone, while allowing me to explore and embrace new territories whilst remaining true to who I am. I never thought when I started on this journey I would ever get to work with such an amazing array of musicians. I've been a fan of JJ, David and Billy for many years and their performances on this album are exceptional.”

The album features David Garza (keyboards), Billy White (bass, guitar) and J.J. Johnson (drums). Previously, Garza has worked with the likes of Fiona Apple, Juliana Hatfield, and Blues Traveler. White has played with the Heartless Bastards and Craig Finn, and J.J. Johnson has drummed with John Mayer.

“ALMOST ALWAYS NEVER”

ALBUM TRACKLISTING

01. SOUL STATION

02. BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN

03. YOU SHOULD STAY, I SHOULD GO

04. PIECE OF THE SKY

05. ARMY OF ONE

06. JEALOUSY

07. ALMOST ALWAYS NEVER

08. TIED & BOUND

09. A HAND IN LOVE

10. STANDING TO FALL

11. MAYBE TOMORROW

12. LOSE MYSELF TO LOVING YOU

Produced Recorded and Mixed by Mike McCarthy

Additional engineering by Jim Vollentine

Mastered by Howie Weinberg and Dan Gerbarg

Piano, wurli, rhodes, rmi, hammond, mandolin, and Gordon by David Garza

Precision bass, and acoustic slide by Billy White

All drums by J.J. Johnson

All electric guitars, vocals and Gordon on tracks 4 and 12 by JST

“I've loved every album and recording experience I've had to date for many different reasons,” reflects Joanne. "I think what sets Almost Always Never apart from my two previous albums is the songwriting process leading up to it. I'm so proud of these songs. All 12 of them combine into one body of work. It’s the perfect and truest example of who I am as an artist to date.”

"I've made an album where I'm starting to hold my own on the guitar. I spent a lot of time leading up to these recordings going back and exploring old influences as well as embracing some new things. I had the opportunity to write the songs I've always wanted to write with an all-star cast to support and nurture them but also to push me and this album to places I would not have been capable of reaching without them.”

"The UK is where I feel the most pressure to perform at my best because the audience is so close to my heart. I can't wait to perform the new album in the UK. Although I've toured there for 13 years, with this new album of songs, I feel it will be as if it will be first time they actually see me live."