 4th Album recorded in Minneapolis & London Aug/Sept 00
Craig and Charlie Reid have finally recorded their long awaited fourth album and describe the recording sessions as being by far their best and most enjoyable to date. Working with a bedrock of world class talent in the shape of passionate and inspirational production from Chris Kimsey (7 Rolling Stones albums) and magnificent playing from brilliant musicians like Chuck Leavell of Allman Brothers and Rolling Stones fame, Hutch Hutchinson from Bonnie Raitt’s band and Pete Thomas from the Elvis Costello’s Attractions allied to hot Minnesota guitarists Kevin Bowe and Andy Dee. The recordings are further embellished by a variety of guest musicians and 14 tracks were recorded at Mastermix Studios in Minneapolis. The album recording was engineered by owner Tom Tucker Snr who opened Mastermix last year after 15 years of being Prince’s house engineer at Paisley Park. Tom’s talents are legendary and he is known as ‘the only man Prince never sacked’. Additional recording and mixing took place at Olympic Studios in London and were completed by end of September. The album and singles from it will be scheduled for release in first half of 2001 and The Proclaimers will be undertaking another lengthy World tour to support it.
"Producing 'The Proclaimers'. The Reid Brothers bond is openly unleashed as the two voices harmonise. The most natural of human functions, the voice and communication is transformed into its most powerful and emoting form when Charlie and Craig sing. And sing they do! With feeling and conviction that becomes naturally uplifting as the two voices ring out as one. Their songs are as rare and engaging as the air we used to breathe. Written with honesty and intelligence the result of capturing true emotions and turning them into song. Brave. Brilliant. Original. Exciting. It will have you 'swathing' down the aisles!" Chris Kimsey September 2000 The legendary Chris has produced literally dozens of world-wide hit records over his distinguished career having established himself at a very early age. Over the years he has produced and had hits with acts as varied as; The Rolling Stones (7 albums), INXS, Gypsy Kings, Escape Club, Marillion, The Chieftans, Deacon Blue, Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh, Killing Joke, Psychedelic Furs, The Cult, Duran Duran, Johnny Halliday, Peter Frampton, ELP, Bad Company, Ten Years After.
"It's been a long time since I've had so much fun on a project. The material that the boys have written is so good that it made my keyboard parts just fall off my fingers. Craig and Charlie came in to these sessions with songs that inspired all of us...and what an honour to work with Chris Kimsey again, and with Hutch Hutchinson, Pete Thomas, Kevin Bowe, Andy Dee, and all the others. I just wish that every session could be this good and this much fun!" Chuck Leavell September 2000 People magazine calls Chuck Leavell "the sixth Rolling Stone and he is one of pop music's most respected and sought-after pianists. Chuck left his hometown of Tuscaloosa at the age of 17 for the famed Muscle Shoals recording studio in 1970, where his keyboard skills and ability to play many styles of music brought immediate acceptance. Leavell backed Freddie North on the 1971 soul classic "She's All I Got" and then found himself in the recording studio or the road with, among others, Livingston Taylor, Alex Taylor, Kitty Wells and Hank Williams Jr. He received an invitation to join the Allman Brothers Band when that Southern institution regrouped after the accidental death of guitarist Duane Allman in 1971. He stayed with the Allman's until 1976, helping record "Win, Lose or Draw," "Wipe the windows, Check the Oil, Dollar Gas" and "Brothers and Sisters," the band's first No. 1 album. He emerged from the break-up of the Allman Brothers Band with his punningly-named rock/jazz/blues fusion group Sea Level, which toured heavily during the late '70s and released five critically-acclaimed albums. He had caught the ears of, and become friends with, the late rock 'n' roll impresario Bill Graham and keyboardist Ian Stewart, the original "sixth" Rolling Stone, and assumed a significant keyboardist-vocalist role for the Stones that continues today. "Chuck is our direct link to Stu," says guitarist Keith Richards. "Without that continuity, the Stones would not be the Stones." Leavell down plays his importance to the Stones' tours and recordings, saying he's a "musical navigator" who keeps track of arrangements, sometimes kicks off tunes and keeps things balanced. "Mick likes it fast, Keith likes it slow, and I have to find the middle ground to keep them both happy," Leavell says. In addition to his solo projects and working with the Stones and their various solo projects, Leavell is an in-demand sessions player and producer. His credits include recordings by Gregg Allman, Chuck Berry, the Black Crowes, Blues Traveller, Randall Bramblett, Bonnie Bramlett, Larry Carlton, Eric Clapton (notably, the Grammy-winning "Unplugged" album), Aretha Franklin, George Harrison, Warren Haynes, John Hiatt, the Indigo Girls, Don McLean, Dion and scores of other artists. Equally impressive are Leavell's accomplishments as a conservationist and tree farmer. After studying tree forestry by correspondence and doing much of his homework while riding a tour bus with the Fabulous Thunderbirds in the late'80s, Leavell and wife Rose Lane White Leavell turned her family's plantation near Macon, GA., into what has become a textbook tree farm. Their work on Charlane Plantation has been recognised by several conservation organisations and Leavell, as comfortable on a tractor as a piano bench, is the only two-time recipient of the Georgia Tree Farmer Award of the Year. Thanks to these accomplishments and his role as spokesperson for the Georgia Forestry Association, Leavell been cited by the National Arbor Day Foundation, the Georgia Conservancy, and many other conservation organisations, and by the University of Georgia, where the Leavells sponsor a conservation-related scholarship.
“I was constantly encouraged by the "Britney Spears" bonus scheme. Everytime something good happened in the studio, "Fluff" the engineer allowed us (and him) another pin up of Britney. I know it's a good record because by the end of the album the control room was a perverts dream.” Pete Thomas September 2000 Pete Thomas started life in Hillsborough, Sheffield and formed his first band in Hartley, Kent at age ten. He moved to London in 1972 and found a job selling and demonstrating in a West London drum shop. He played with various bands at deb's balls and similar gigs, but his big chance came when he joined Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers. While playing with the Willis at the Rainbow in 1974, Pete stepped in at short notice to back John Stewart visiting West Coast folk rock favourite (Once of the Kingston Trio, and composer of the standard "Daydream Believer"). So impressed was Stewart with Pete's performance that he offered him a job in California, and when Chilli Willi collapsed from sheer exhaustion a few weeks later Pete gratefully accepted the offer. Pete enjoyed his time in the U.S. though he frequently found the laid back 70's Californian life style a source of great frustration. Nevertheless, he gained a huge range of experience from the L.A. music scene. One day in 1977 Pete got a call from Jake Riviera who (As Andrew Jakeman) had managed Chilli Willi. Jake, the co-founder of Stiff Records had just discovered Elvis Costello, and was putting together a new band to back him. Confident in Jake's judgment and integrity Pete agreed to return to London and so The Attractions were formed. Elvis Costello And The Attractions created a sensation in the Punk and Post-Punk eras. Repeated chart success and an arduous schedule of world tours meant that the band outgrew Stiff, and was contracted to major record companies, but in the changing musical climate of the 80's Costello himself became increasingly interested in composition and other activities, and the need for a full-time band receded. Pete continued to work with Costello and other bands on an occasional basis, but soon joined Steve Nieve, the Attractions keyboard player to form a studio band for the Jonathan Ross TV chat show. When the last series of the Jonathan Ross Show closed, Pete found that he was increasingly in demand for session work, and his discography illustrates his mastery of an exceptional range of styles. In particular Pete's work with Los Lobos and various Spanish singers produced a great interest in latin percussion styles. Recently Pete's session career has take a considerable boost particularly in the US where he has worked with major artists including Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Neil Finn, Ron Sexsmith and Suzanne Vega. In Latin America Pete has recorded in several countries including a major album in Argentina. In late 1998 Pete found himself in Los Angeles recording with Vonda Shepard on a new recording co-produced by his old friend Mitchell Froom. Vonda Shepard's world wide TV exposure on the Ally McBeal show had moved her career into a higher gear, which demanded a band of appropriately high calibre. Pete's eclectic talents fulfilled the need exactly and he accepted the offer of a regular gig. So, in the Spring of 1999 Pete and his family are back in LA, this time with a reputation which commands the respect of fellow musicians all over the world.
Hutch grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and used to hang around Harvard Square in the 60's during the folk and blues revival that took place there. As a Child he dabbled in piano, guitar, cello...but zeroed in on bass at the age of 12, playing in some local bands and moved to San Francisco after high school. Played in bands there, spent two years playing in Latin America, then moved to Austin, Texas, where he met Aaron Neville through a mutual friend. Moved to New Orleans, where he worked with the Neville brothers on and off for the next five years. The Neville Brothers opened for the Rolling Stones and he met their keyboardist Ian McLagen, who introduced him to Bonnie Raitt. In 1982 he moved to Los Angeles. Not long after arriving, Hutch joined Bonnie in a whirlwind, when her bass player left only three days before a tour. He has been recording and touring with her ever since. He has enjoyed working with the Neville Brothers, Elton John, Brian Wilson, Al Green, B.B. King, The Pointer Sisters, Boz Scaggs, Lyle Lovett, Tanya Tucker, Etta James, Willie Nelson, Pattie La Belle, Vince Gill, Bryan Adams, Randy Newman, B-52's, Anne Murray, Roy Orbison, Crosby, Stills & Nash and many others.
“Rarely have I had a chance to be a part of any project that had as much good joo-joo surrounding it as this Proclaimers album. When I heard the demos and started figuring out guitar parts, I had a very strong feeling about every song; from the heart wrenching sadness of "Remembrance" to the rocking excitement of "There's A Touch" I knew that this was an album written from the heart. When the core players got together it was like we immediately formed a band and we all played the tracks that way. And what a band!!!!! Chuck Leavell, Pete Thomas and Hutch Hutchinson!!! It was like a dream come true for myself and Andy Dee. There wasn't a bad vibe in the room for the whole time; everyone was having fun doing what came naturally, including the illustrious Mr. Kimsey at the helm. These two brothers seemed to love where everything was going so we just went for it; I think the unbridled enthusiasm can be felt throughout the record.” Kevin Bowe September 2000 www.kevinbowe.com
"The highlight of my summer! An amazing session. Craig and Charlie are tops! Chris & the whole band--awesome. Andy Dee September 2000 The album recordings also feature significant contributions from: Stuart Nisbet - guitars, mandolin |
Producer - Chris Kimsey
Keyboards - Chuck Leavell
Drums & Percussion - Pete Thomas
Bass - James ‘Hutch’ Huchinson
Guitars - Kevin Bowe
Andy Dee