Photo: Brad Absher by Phil Clarkin
Rock & Blues Muse is pleased to premiere the video “Neutral Ground” by acclaimed roots music group Brad Absher and the Superials from their upcoming album Tulsa Tea out June 10th on Horton Records.
Opening with warm slide guitar and Absher’s soulful, restful vocals, this Southern soul cooker is an easy going tale of hope for love reunited by meeting somewhere in the middle. With its peaceful vibe, it’s your antidote to whatever ails. Roots music doesn’t get better than this.
Absher puts this one down with a chilled-out New Orleans feel. His slide guitar work is wonderfully articulate and melodic and gives the track a swampy charm you’ll want to hear more of. Andrew Bair’s Hammond organ adds the perfect texture to complement Absher’s guitar and the two of them light up this gentle giant of a tune like nobody’s business. Prepare to fall in love.
Absher says, “I just like the metaphor of meeting in the middle… the neutral ground. I hope it encourages compromise and collaboration to things we have in common. And what a treat to record ‘Neutral Ground’ in the legendary Church Studio….where so many of my heroes have recorded. The spirit of Leon Russell creates such inspiration for the band…the vibe can’t be beat.”
“The ‘Neutral Ground’ video was filmed and recorded at the famous Church Studio that Leon Russell owned in Tulsa,” Absher adds. “It has had a massive renovation and quite a tourist spot now. George Harrison’s wife came through last week when she was visiting the Bob Dylan museum.”
Watch “Neutral Ground”
Brad Absher sounds like the places he’s been. In his warm, Southern soul music, you can hear Tulsa’s earthy dignity and the swampy carpe diem of Lake Charles. He’s home in Tulsa, reflecting on the path he’s taken to his new album, Tulsa Tea, produced by Chris Combs. The band includes Brad Absher (guitar, vocals), Matt Martin (drums, percussion), Dylan Layton (bass), Jake Hemphill (guitar), EZ Mireles (keys) Danny Timms (Wurlitzer/Hammond organ), Charlie Redd & Briana Wright (backing vocals) and Abbie Rose (hand claps.)
Tulsa Tea is a triumphant eight-song collection that knows when to roar, when to roll––and when to breathe. Absher wrote all but one of the tracks (the lone cover by New Orleans hometown heroes, The Iguanas), taking his time, penning songs the only way he can, piece by piece.
Absher’s honeyed vocals coupled with his tasteful electric playing made him a favorite front man in the vibrant Tulsa music scene throughout the ‘80s and’ 90s. A move to Houston turned into a 15-year detour and the conquering of another regional circuit.
In 2013 and again in 2014, Absher was the city’s International Blues Challenge Regional Winner. He went on to represent Houston at the prestigious IBCs in Memphis, where he competed against hundreds of bands from across the globe. Absher and his then-band Swamp Royale were finalists that year, making their Houston fans proud and opening up a new fan base that spread beyond the Gulf Coast.
Today, back in Tulsa, Absher is reconnecting to his roots––and discovering just how much of an impact he made there two decades ago.
Pre-order Tulsa Tea Here
Brad Absher website
I really like this. Good stuff!
Sounds mighty fine, Brad ! Onward my friend !