Albert Cummings
By Martine Ehrenclou
The world has opened doors for blues guitar maestro, singer, songwriter Albert Cummings. His first solo effort From The Heart (2003) was produced by Double Trouble’s Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon (Stevie Ray Vaughan.) Over the last 20 years, he’s released nine albums, his last Believe was produced by Grammy winner Jim Gaines. He’s shared stages with B.B. King, Johnny Winter, Susan Tedeschi and Buddy Guy.
On his new album titled Ten, Albert Cummings ventures comfortably into country and Americana territory while still grounded in blues. Out April 8th via Ivy Music Company, Ten is produced by Grammy winner Chuck Ainlay (Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits, Peter Frampton, Miranda Lambert) and features a guest spot by Country Hall of Famer Vince Gill.
For Cummings, all stars aligned on Ten when recording in Nashville at Peter Frampton’s Phenix Studios with Ainlay in the producer’s chair and a dream team of musicians including Greg Morrow (drums), Glenn Worf (bass), Michael Rojas (keyboards), and Rob McNelley (guitar.)
The album features 13 musically diverse tracks with Cummings at home with the country side of blues. Many of the songs are well crafted with compelling melodies and a focus on storytelling.
The Massachusetts-born Cummings says, “When you walk into a room with a producer like this, it feels like there is a whole new world of possibilities ready to open up.”
Kicking off the album is “I Need Somebody,” a bluesy rock and roll stomp with the trademark Cummings guitar riffs and husky vocals that have fans racing to hear him live. The opening track is pure Cummings blues/rock power.
With Ten, it’s not so much the blending of genres that speaks the loudest but it’s the songs themselves. The rootsy “Hard Way” with acoustic guitar, is an ode to Albert’s father, a meaningful portrayal of a rugged man with strong values. With powerful vocals and harmonies, Albert proves his talent, even with shorter guitar riffs than we’re used to with him.
A two-step country tune featuring Vince Gill on harmonies, “Last Call” is a fun party that fires on all cylinders. Some ‘chicken pickin’ on guitar serves the song well, along with Albert’s easy, lighthearted vocals. The track demonstrates that Cummings has country music in his veins. He’s having a blast with Gill–you can hear it in his voice. Having started off on banjo early on, this isn’t much of a stretch for him. The piano is equally delightful. Not a real country music fan, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Just good fun with ear-pleasing melody. You could say the same about “Two Hands,” another up-tempo country tune with barroom piano, and one heck of a tight band. Speaking of the band, they are superb.
Albert admits that he “let the listener into his personal space” on Ten. “Beautiful Bride,” a ballad, rings with beautiful chord changes and melody. Albert wrote and performed this song years ago for his wife at their wedding. Complete with strings, Albert sings this with soul.
The blues rocker “Sounds Like The Road” is about as Albert Cummings as it gets. With his perfect Strat tone, he weaves melodic guitar riffs throughout this sweeping gem. It’s all about getting back on the road with his band and the healing power of music.
“Meet The Man” is a country/rock ballad in drop tuning, similar to “Hard Way” but with more space. The melody on this track and on several others on the album is beyond good. Perhaps it’s the addition of acoustic guitars and pedal steel, or the harmonies that elevate songs like “Take Me Away” beyond the standard fair for country music.
Cummings incorporates a variety of genres on the album such as the ultra-funky “Alive and Breathing,” lively with horns and clever interplay between musicians. Albert’s guitar playing is a blast of fresh air, inventive riffs with groove. He’s telling stories here with the aid of a rhythm section that’s locked down tight.
The melodies and chord changes are beautiful on “She’s The One,” a ballad of epic proportions. Even after listening to this a few times, it passed the ‘hair-on-my-arms’ test. Not many do. A song written for his sons to provide an example of a life-time love, Cummings proves his mettle with songwriting.
Albert Cummings gets a 10 on Ten.
Watch “Need Somebody”
WOW! GREAT SONG. I SAW ALBERT IN AN OUTDOOR FESTIVAL AND UP LOSE AND PERSONAL AT THE VILLAGES, FLORIDA. GREAT PERSON AND WONDERFUL MUSICIAN!
His album “Believe” was such a great album. Albert is such an exceptional musician. I hope his album “Ten” is a 10.