Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin have announced their new release, Lost Time, due September 18, 2015, on Yep Roc records.
The brothers Alvin reunited in 2014 for their first album together in over thirty years, titled Common Ground Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin Sing the Songs of Big Bill Broonzy. The album was a terrific return for the brothers and received praise from both critics and peers earning a Best Blues Album Grammy nomination and a Blues Music Award nomination for Best Traditional Blues album. I saw the brothers in Melbourne, Australia, this April performing the new material and it was a wonderful occasion.
Over the twelve tracks on Lost Time, Dave and Phil pay homage to a number of artists and songs that had an early, formative influence. While Common Ground focused exclusively on Big Bill Broonzy songs, the new release sees the Alvin brothers dig in to the music of James Brown, Leadbelly, Willie Dixon, Blind Boy Fuller and Leroy Carr, among other greats. But they cover four songs by Big Joe Turner, as tribute to the blues legend they met as teens, and who became their friend and mentor.
Dave Alvin says, “We tried our best to honor all these magnificent musicians, songwriters and singers as well as expose them to new listeners, and perhaps raise some ghosts up from their graves for a minute or two. And, hopefully, my brother and I have also again found some damn lost time.” This time around it seems that the guitars are cranked up, as is the energy. This release further solidifies their legacy and it is highly appropriate that they continue to work together after such a long recording separation.
Here’s the tracklist for Lost Time:
01. Mister Kicks
02. World’s In a Bad Condition
03. Cherry Red Blues
04. Rattlesnakin’ Daddy
05. Hide and Seek
06. Papas On The House Top
07. In New Orleans (Rising Sun Blues)
08. Please Please Please
09. Sit Down Baby
10. Wee Baby Blues
11. Feeling Happy
12. If You See My Savior
