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If you’ve been paying attention, almost everyone from 14 to 64, is tired of singers with headsets, hacky bands and songs that sound like they were written by an uninspired committee of five. On the other hand, hard-rockin’, ass-kickin’ Rock and Roll, from The Stones to Ian Hunter to Joan Jett, the folks with strong melodies, big beats and hooks that hang in your head for days, are attracting a remarkably wide range of people. Gary Douglas, who has the tunes, the attitude and a regal Rock and Roll heart, is one of those guys. Plus, he has great news for the fans he’s made on the radio and the road. Douglas and his band have a new album slated for early summer. So you better get ready. He may be coming to your town. Gary Douglas is an intriguing paradox. Musically, with his muscular guitar playing, emotive voice and anthemic lyrics, he’s absolutely his own heartland-style man. But, as with any great Rocker, you can tell this New Yorker has imbibed the vibe of some of the best musicians of our era. On the cut Lord I Try, from Douglas’s album “Just Another Mile,” the riff sticks with you like something by Keith Richards. The voice has the worldly weariness of Hunter. And the lyrics, which talk of a fruitless search for faith, sound like an all-night writing session between Lou Reed and Bruce Springsteen. Looking for a big riff, a song that all generations can relate to, a sentiment for all seasons? Then this tune by Gary Douglas and his tight, bangin’ band is for you. Douglas produced it, too. This is a man who knows how all the pieces should fit together and how this stuff should sound. Possibly better is It’s Rock ‘N’ Roll. It’s catchier than the flu, features a chiming hook the Byrds would nod at approvingly and has Rock attitude for days. It talks about the power of the music, sports an unforgettable twin-guitar solo and manages to name-check Gene Simmons, while sounding like Tom Petty just decided to sit in. But it’s all Gary Douglas. One listen and it not only stays with you, it makes you want to quit your job and start a band. These songs point the way to Douglas’s next album which is nearly done. And like all great Rockers, the man keeps getting better, finding his voice and belting it without a trace of self-consciousness. His new disc, which will be out in May or early June, already sounds like his crowning achievement. “We recorded 9 songs at Paramount Studios,” says Douglas. “We used producer Anthony Resta, which allowed me to focus on playing and driving the band. We’re probably going to do 3 more tunes and the album will be ready soon. I think it’s the best I’ve done so far.” One listen to Douglas’s new song Highway and you know the boy is being modest. It’s one of the best things anyone has done in a while. Another wonderfully-desperate mid-tempo rocker, Highway sports the guitar riff of the summer. A top-down, windblown lick that will draw you in, then blow you away like the best of Bruce, Keef and all the other legendary riffmeisters. It sounds so good on speakers, it’s almost scary to imagine how good it will sound live. Which is when we’ll all hear it once the weather gets warms. Douglas is no one trick pony, though. One listen to the new radio-friendly ballad Midnight Angel, makes that abundantly clear. It has the warm organ of a classic Bob Dylan track and a widescreen production that will sound crazy-good coming out of our car speakers, as summer comes and the tune heats things up even further. “We’ve got gigs already locked in,” says the intense, friendly songwriter. “On June 27th, we’ll be playing the Rockland-Bergen Music Festival. And right now we are finalizing details of a soon-to-be announced multi-city tour as the opening act for a high profile artist to support the new album and spread the word” This 7 piece band of New York veteran musicians and session cats needs to be heard live. And considering the buzz The Gary Douglas Band got on its last 28 city “Guitar Gods Tour,” this group, a year tighter, promises to electrify the audience when they go out again, armed with more confidence and a slew of unforgettable new tunes. Word is that rockers like Guns ‘N’ Roses’ lead player, Bumblefoot, is a huge fan. Which should tell you everything you need to know about Gary Douglas. What does that mean? That, like Guns, Gary Douglas and his band have the awesome firepower that comes with mastering your instrument. But that technique never gets in the way of the pure, sweaty soul, the Gospel of Rock and Roll that Douglas lays down. We know how cold this winter was. But that’s cool. Gary Douglas is about to release a new album and play it live - sooner than you know. But whatever the temperature? This means only one thing: thanks to Gary Douglas, this promises to be one hot, rockin’ summer!
Condition:NEW.
TRACK LISTINGS
1. My Desire
2. To Be With You
3. Faith (Renewed)
4. Out On the Highway
5. Stop Bringing Me Down
6. Lord I Try (Redeux)
7. Midnight Angel, Pt. 1
8. Voices
9. Cold Blood
10. On Bradford Hill / Afterlife
11. Over You
12. Goodbye Marie
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