There’s something about Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel’s music that lingers. It’s not simply musical pedigree – he was a member of Derek & the Dominos who recorded “Layla,” Rock&Roll’s greatest unrequited love song – though that’s not where it begins. No, what Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel possess is good old-fashioned soul. For the recording of their new CD "Lovers" at Willie Nelson’s famed Pedernales Studios, Bobby Whitlock played Hammond organ, grand piano, and acoustic guitar as well as singing. CoCo Carmel not only plays sax and sings, she provided the steady bass. With jeweled accompaniment from guitarists David Grissom, Eric Johnson and Stephen Bruton, drummer Brannen Temple, and percussionist James Fenner. The only thing lacking might have been Willie himself yet the red-headed stranger appears not once but twice. Lovers is an electrifying tour-de-force for the couple, ten beautifully realized songs captured on CD like lightning in a bottle. And with Lovers, Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel position themselves as world-class performers in the Southern soul tradition redefining soul music in a Rock&Roll way! Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel showcase their new ==================================================== CD, “Lovers" at SXSW. ===================== Joined on this performance will be David Grissom and Stephen Bruton in guitars, Brannen Temple on drums, Andy Salmon on bass and James Fenner on percussion. Bobby & CoCo weave a musical tapestry with golden threads collected during a lifetime of living the music that they write. Whitlock’s powerful voice is stronger than ever, appearing to have mellowed, becoming even richer with time. The lyrics, written mostly by Whitlock and Carmel, are very nearly embarrassing in a voyeuristic way; as if the listener is eavesdropping on a couple so much in love that they glow. The guitar work blended into this recording is genius, born of the classic guitar album of all time, “Layla.” Whitlock’s voice begs for the emotion, and counterpoint of crying guitars punctuating the lyrics, and always has; “Best Days of Our Lives” is a perfect example of this. Further, Carmel’s string arrangements and sax add raw emotion to material such as “You don’t know” and the charismatic remake of “Layla.” And, it is hard to believe that some of the notes that Carmel plays actually live in a saxophone. Lovers CD info ============== Produced by Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel Executive Producer: Jean-Claude Monney Track listing 1. Lovers Words and Music by Bobby Whitlock 2. Dice Of God Words and Music by Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel 3. True Love Words and Music by CoCo Carmel 4. You Don't Know Words and Music by Bobby Whitlock & Gary Nicholson 5. Best Days of Our Lives Words and Music by Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel 6. Power Of Love Words and Music by Bobby Whitlock & Steve Allen 7. Aint' no Other Baby Words and Music by Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel 8. One Voice Words and Music by Bobby Whitlock & Roger Cook 9. Dear Veronica (A tribute to Veronica Lake) Words and Music by Bobby Whitlock and Eric Clapton 10. Layla Words and Music by Eric Clapton & Jim Gordon Musicians ========= Bobby Whitlock: Lead Vocals - Hammond Organ - Bosendorfer Grand Piano - Wah-wah & Acoustic Guitars CoCo Carmel: Lead and background Vocals - Saxophone - Bass - Flutes - String Section - Vocal & String Arrangements Willie Nelson: Lead Guitar on “3 & 9” Willie Nelson appears courtesy of Lost Highway Records David Grissom: Guitars on “1,2,4,5,6,7,8,10” Eric Johnson: Guitars on “1,2,4,5,6,7,8,10” Stephen Bruton: Rhythm, Acoustic and Slide Guitars on “1,2,4,5,6,7,8,9,10” Brannen Temple: Drums James Fenner: Percussion Credits ======= Recording Engineers: Steve Chadie and CoCo Carmel // Mixed by: Steve Chadie, Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel // Recorded at: Arlyn–Pedernales Studio, Austin, TX, USA // Mastered by: Bernie Grundman, Hollywood, CA, USA // Artwork: Nicholas Huttema // Management: Monney Productions, Austin, TX, USA
http://2008.sxsw.com/music/showcases/band/70659.html
