Musical time
travelers, listen up! On his latest album, Josh Charles is ready to stamp your
one way ticket back to the magical year of 1974.
Drawing from
a deep and dynamic well of influences that includes his mentor, New Orleans
legend Dr. John, as well as Allen Toussaint, The Meters, Steely Dan and those
classic early Elton John albums, the veteran singer/songwriter and producer
puts his own bluesy funk and roll twist on the simmering soulful vibes we were
diggin’ in the mid-70s on the perfectly titled collection.
On Friday,
August 19, SiriusXM’s Radio Margaritaville (Ch. 24) will premiere the
opening
track, the powerhouse brassy funk jam “Best Thing Thatcha Told Me Was Goodbye.”
The song, co-penned like all the others by Charles and legendary multi-Grammy
nominated songwriter Milton L. Brown, is reprised in an extended nine and a
half minute jam that is a highlight at the end of the album. Charles says, “We
just let the tape go on that one and the magic came out.”
1974 is set
for release on AWAL/Kobalt Friday, August 26. Those ordering in advance on
iTunes now will receive an automatic download of “Best Thing Thatcha Told Me
Was Goodbye.”
An
emotionally resonant, tight and grooving set of originals that takes the warm,
enduring sounds of that era and makes them jump as fresh, contemporary blasts
of creativity, the album was co-produced at Parlor Studios in New Orleans by
Charles and Tracey Freeman, two time Grammy Award winner for his work with Harry
Connick, Jr. and Rebirth Brass Band.
One of
Charles’ heroes and frequent collaborators, John Oates of the legendary
pop/soul duo Hall & Oates, sums up 1974 perfectly: “Josh’s new album takes
me back to the golden era of recording in the early 70s - the sound and the feel are just
right…he’s got it nailed. Love it!”
The tracks
were recorded live using period specific gear and mics with Charles’ pick of
the best musicians on the planet, starting with George Porter, Jr.,
renowned bassist for The Meters and including longtime Hall & Oates musical
director and guitarist Shane Theriot, drummer Doug Belote and percussionist
Michael Skinkus, with horns arranged by Mark Mullins, trombonist for New
Orleans brass funk rock band Bonerama.
“Once I had
the right guys,” Charles says, “the other key was finding the perfect studio to
get that 70s sound right. The right sonic elements of the room were essential.
All the great albums from that time were recorded in what they called ‘dead
rooms,’ small boxy recording spaces that are very different from most of
today’s facilities. I spent months diggin’ up liner notes and talking to
engineers and producers of the time researching how those bands got that
classic sound. Finding
David Farrell and bringing him to Parlor to record the live sessions there was
essential to recreating the vibe of that era to help bring these songs to life.”
Other tracks
on 1974 include the Allen Toussaint-inspired simmering, funky “Outa The Blue,”
the deeply emotional lament “Edge of the Blues,” a song about “wanting to do
right” and “looking for the light” that showcases Charles’ most raw, emotional
vocals; the New Orleans R&B, uplifting, gospel/rock/blues driven “Winning
Streak”; and a moody and sensual laid back look at a comfortable “Lazy Love.”
Josh Charles brings an eclectic background as a
recording artist to the sessions of 1974, including recordings for Columbia
Records/Sony Music Entertainment, Island Records, Elektra Records/Warner Music
Group. He has produced/co-produced and written/co-written seven albums,
including his most recent “NOtown” release Love, Work & Money. In-depth television profiles of Charles and
his music — including his philanthropic efforts to help rebuild New Orleans
after Hurricane Katrina — have appeared on “Good Morning America,” “The Tavis
Smiley Show,” “CNN” and other outlets.
He has also
been featured in national print and digital media, including “USA Today,” “LA
Weekly,” “The Huffington Post,” “Keyboard Magazine,” “Voice of America,”
“Electronic Musician,” and others. Josh was the first musical artist for
Casio, serving as the national spokesperson for Casio’s Privia brand of digital pianos and
appearing in the nationwide marketing campaign. He is also endorsed by Gibson
Guitars, UVI software and ASTON Mics.
Charles
moved to Nashville in 2013 to further develop his career. There he began collaborating with hit
songwriters including John Oates, Milton L. Brown, Sonia Leigh, Jeff Cohen,
Bridgette Tatum and others in both the country and pop/rock formats. In 2014,
Josh also began producing and co-writing with traditional big band singer
Steven Davis. Their prolific partnership has led to five albums of original
songs and the recently released album of standards, The Way You Look Tonight.
In addition to working with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath production team, Charles works
with many up and coming artists.
The concept
for 1974 was sparked by Charles’ rediscovery of the joys of classic vinyl. “My
favorite records were ones by some of the New Orleans legends I’ve worked with,
including The Meters, Allen Toussaint and Dr. John,” he says. “Getting a new
turntable and stereo inspired me to listen with fresh ears to my collection of
great old albums that really got me in the spirit of the mid-70s – particularly
Dr. John’s In The Right Place, The Meters’ Rejuvenation, Steely Dan’s Aja and
Robert Palmer’s Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley. It hit me that you just don’t
hear anything recorded these days that comes close sonically or with that vibe
and mastery of harmony and melody. How did anyone get this kind of sound? That
question quickly evolved into a challenge – Could I somehow pull it off?
“There have been
revivals of the 60s in recent years, and in pop there’s a current trend to
bring back the 80s – but nobody in this generation is tapping into the kind of
music that was blowing everyone’s mind in the 70s,” he adds. “1974 is my
contribution to hopefully starting a new movement back to this great era.”
