(Nashville, Tenn. – Feb. 14, 2020) – “It was in that moment it sunk in that I was standing in a hollowed space,” Albert Cummings said as he looked up from where he was playing and saw a picture of Duane Allman standing in the exact spot he was currently standing. Recorded at FAME Studio in Muscle Shoals, Albert Cummings brings you his Blues Rock masterpiece Believe via Provogue Records, now available (HERE). With a lot of soul and a little bit of grit, Cummings turns out an 11-track album featuring a mix of blues, country, and rock n’ roll.
Cummings takes this release to new heights with the help of GRAMMY Award-winning producer, Jim Gaines (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Santana). Believe offers a blend of original songs with covered classics. Albert walked into the project with a clear picture of what how the album was going to sound but once within the walls of FAME Studio, it turned into something else completely, “This album was meant to mostly be recreations of some of my favorite classics,” Cummings says of the project, “but once I started working with Jim in FAME and the musicians he booked, the album took a whole new turn. I knew I had to take advantage of the unique sound that Muscle Shoals was bringing to the table.” Together, they drew inspiration from the rich recording legacy of Muscle Shoals and created a timeless album full of rhythm, funk, and soul through the use of powerful backup singers, steady grooves, a dynamic brass section, and mesmerizing guitar riffs.
What critics are saying:
“Every moment of Believe is to be savored and proves without a doubt that Albert Cummings belongs among the biggest names in blues music today. Listen once and you’ll agree.” – Rock and Blues Muse
“…it is a superb Blues exposition with a very talented singer/guitarist at the front. Gaines production is top notch and the whole album is a cracker.” –Music-News.com
Cummings demands attention right out of the gate with tenacious horns roaring on “Hold On,” setting the tone for the rest of the album. The masterful guitarist brings electrifying energy to the forefront with tracks like “Do What Mama Says” and the Freddie King cover “Me and My Guitar,” while also suggesting a softer tone as he portrays Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love.”
Not afraid to take on a traditional blues standard song, Cummings shines in his rendition of the classic “Little Red Rooster,” while his originals “It’s All Good” and “Get Out Of Here” follow a traditional Country music storytelling format, and “Call Me Crazy” features the guitarist’s lyricism and his ability to play on words.
It wasn’t until he was 27 that Cummings publicly played with a band for the first time. Living in Massachusetts, he and his band, Swamp Yankee, got heavily involved with the Northeast Blues Society and started gaining notoriety. Cummings’ skill and intensity garnered attention from Double Trouble members Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon, who were so impressed with this relative newcomer that they produced and performed on his first solo record, From the Heart (2001).
After signing a multi-record deal with Blind Pig Records, Tommy Shannon would go on to work with Cummings on his 2004 inaugural release for the label, True To Yourself. Cummings recorded three more stellar albums on the Blind Pig Records label, Working Man (2006), Feel So Good: Albert Cummings Live (2008), and Someone Like You (2015). In 2012, he also self-released the country-rock-blues flavored winner, No Regrets, incorporating multiple musical categories and highlighting his unique versatility.
Following the success of his first live record, a second was self-released in 2017, Live At The ’62 Center. It was recorded in his hometown of Williamstown, Mass., and its incredible reception garnered Cummings a Blues Music Award nomination for Blues Rock Album.
Cummings will tour throughout next year. His dynamic, engaging personality combined with blues musicianship at its finest has created an enduring, loyal fan base worldwide. For the complete list of dates, and more information on Albert Cummings, visit https://albertcummings.com/tour-dates/
Believe Track Listing:
1. Hold On
2. Do What Mama Says
3. Red Rooster
4. Queen Of Mean
5. Crazy Love
6. Get Out Of Here
7. My Babe
8. It’s All Good
9. Going My Way
10. Call Me Crazy
11. Me And My Guitar
Follow Albert Cummings:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
CONTACT:
Christy Walker-Watkins – AristoPR – 615-269-7071 – Christy@aristomedia.com
Kim Kaminske – AristoPR – 615-269-7071 – Kim@aristomedia.com
Jon Bleicher – Provogue Records – jbleiche@gmail.com
Jay Wilson – Provogue Records – jay@mascotlabelgroup.com
