Kentucky
Headhunters' Latest CD Filled with
"Soul"
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Categorizing the music of the
Grammy-winning Kentucky Headhunters is like trying to
explain why the grass in Kentucky looks blue.
Some things are best when left to just grow
naturally without explanation -- wild and unique.
So it is with the Headhunters, whose latest CD
titled "Soul" hits stores on May 6.
One word of caution: Hide your children, Nashville!
A lot of new musical influences are about to reach
formative ears that tune into the new Headhunters
release.
"Soul" is a musical travelogue that transports
listeners far beyond the city limits of Nashville to
explore influences of Memphis, Muscle Shoals and rural
environs known only to musicians with a steady
itinerary of off-the-beaten-path funky, blues clubs
where new music is born from the influences of the old
masters.
Sibling band mates Richard and Fred K. Young, and
their cousins Anthony Kenney and Greg Martin, and
friend Doug Phelps are the perfect hosts for the grand
tour "Soul" provides.
Their newest project "Soul" is proof positive that
with their current label, Audium/Koch, someone is very
smart. The band has wisely been given total creative
control when the subject turns to music.
Listening to their prior project for the label,
"Songs from the Grass String Ranch," released in
August 2000, leaves little doubt that fans will need
to strap on their seatbelts for a total departure on
the band's new collection.
The Kentucky grown musicians, who devised their
name as an off-shoot of Muddy Waters' legendary band,
have always been proud to forge new musical ground
more than just a little left center of the Nashville
trends.
They've made their mark as a controversial band --
as influenced by heavy metal and the blues -- as they
have been by the bluegrass of their heritage. Fans are
used to "hunting" through the record bins to find
Headhunter product, never knowing if the CDs will show
up in country, Southern rock, blues or rock
categories.
"Soul" is the Headhunters at their ultimate best.
The blues are so thick they float to the surface
amidst a pot boiling musical recipe that bubbles
noticeably with some of the group's collective
favorite influences: Jimi Hendrix, Cream, The Rolling
Stones, The Beatles, Jeff Beck Group, ZZ Top, Nazz,
Johnny Winter, The Allman Brothers, Free and Led
Zeppelin.
Wanting to reach into the roots of blues music, The
Headhunters invited the best blues pianist in the
world, 73-year-old Johnnie Johnson, to play on this
project. Johnson, who was on stage with the Rolling
Stones in Houston the evening prior to the recording
session, didn't hesitate. He jumped on a plane in
Houston, landed in Kentucky, and laid down his
signature piano sound for the Headhunters.
Grammy-nominated Jimmy Hall had just returned from
touring with Jeff Beck and quickly answered the
Headhunters' call to record, as did Reese Wynans
(Dickie Betts Band) and legendary saxophonist Jim
Horn.
In a recent interview, the Headhunters admit they
were apprehensive going into the session with such an
electic group of musicians, but within hours of
arriving in the studio, it was obvious the climate was
right.
The result? The band calls it the most honest and
passionate Headhunters music in years.
© 2003 Devault
Interactive. All rights
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