CD – John Jorgenson

East Meets West

admin — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 14:58:03 +0000

East Coast muscle meets West Coast jangle with a splash of British Invasion!

John has teamed with the powerhouse rhythm section of Dennis Diken and Mike Mesaros from the Smithereens to create 8 blistering tracks of 60s flavored Rock and Power Pop. Recorded at Ft Wayne, Indiana’s Sweetwater Sound Studios, the results are pounding with kinetic energy, belying the fact that the three musicians had never set foot in a studio together, and had only performed together once before — onstage for one song.

“As a long time fan of the Smithereens I’d been looking for a chance to do a project together and when I first set foot in the Sweetwater studio’s main room I could actually hear Dennis’ drums in there and how great they would sound. Scheduling was a bit tricky between all of our commitments and the studio’s free days, but we made it work.”
— John

Including blistering takes on classics by Love, The Byrds, and The Kinks, plus two original numbers, East Meets West is a must have for fans of John, fans of The Smithereens, or any music lover who appreciates listening to legends in their element.

John Jorgenson — Guitars and Vocals
Dennis Diken — Drums and Harmony Vocals
Mike Mesaros — Bass

Lance Hoppen — Harmony Vocal on Caffe Amaro

Produced by John Jorgenson
Recorded at Sweetwater Sound

Worldwide Christmas by John Jorgenson and The Lost Fingers

admin — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 23:27:23 +0000

With flair, dexterity, and humor, John Jorgenson and The Lost Fingers present Worldwide Christmas a one-of-a-kind collection that offers instrumental versions of beloved holiday classics. After launching Christmas Caravan in 2016 and Coconut Christmas in 2017, The Lost Fingers renewed the tradition in 2018 with Worldwide Christmas, teaming with John to add his signature touch of virtuosity, electrifying these holiday standards for this unforgettable album.

Chiaroscuro

admin — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 22:38:03 +0000

Featuring songs and collaborations by music luminaries such as Rodney Crowell, Lewis Storey, Bee Taylor, Harry Stinson, Beth Hooker, Mary Ann Kennedy, Pierpaolo Adda, Lauren Braddock, Hannah Sutherland, and, of course, John Jorgenson, Chiaroscuro is the perfect companion to Gamble’s soul-tugging tale of life, loss, love and redemption.

Each song on Chiaroscuro — some inspired by; some providing inspiration to Witch Hairs — provides a rich musical backdrop for the amazing and, sometimes, heart-breaking stories that fill each chapter. From Beth Hooker’s deeply meditative Edge of Everything to Rodney Crowell’s beautifully evocative Old Dancing Couple, Chiaroscuro is a companion piece that both supports and expands on Gamble’s words and wisdom.

Witch Hairs Book and Chiaroscuro CD Bundle

admin — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 22:08:31 +0000

Featuring songs and collaborations by music luminaries such as Rodney Crowell, Lewis Storey, Bee Taylor, Harry Stinson, Beth Hooker, Mary Ann Kennedy, Pierpaolo Adda, Lauren Braddock, Hannah Sutherland, and, of course, John Jorgenson, Chiaroscuro is the perfect companion to Gamble’s soul-tugging tale of life, loss, love and redemption.

Each song on Chiaroscuro — some inspired by; some providing inspiration to Witch Hairs — provides a rich musical backdrop for the amazing and, sometimes, heart-breaking stories that fill each chapter. From Beth Hooker’s deeply meditative Edge of Everything to Rodney Crowell’s beautifully evocative Old Dancing Couple, Chiaroscuro is a companion piece that both supports and expands on Gamble’s words and wisdom.

From the Crow’s Nest

admin — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 17:24:38 +0000

‘From the Crow’s Nest’ is the debut album from John Jorgensen Bluegrass Band (J2B2), an all-star bluegrass supergroup featuring four legendary, award-winning musicians – John Jorgenson on acoustic guitar, mandolin and vocals; Herb Pedersen on banjo, acoustic guitar and vocals; Mark Fain on bass; and Patrick Sauber on acoustic guitar and vocals – delivering bluegrass like no one has ever heard it before. The band’s undeniable live shows have received stellar reviews and have the bluegrass world buzzing. The four combine forces to form a spot-on union of impeccable musicianship, incomparable songwriting, incredible harmony vocals (a fresh twist combining bluegrass with elements of West Coast folk rock) and seasoned showmanship. This is the “high lonesome sound” of American roots music at its finest.

Jorgenson and Pedersen are founders (with Chris Hillman) of the formative country rock group Desert Rose Band. After working as a freelance musician in Southern California, Jorgenson met Hillman and soon formed the Desert Rose Band. In 1990, Jorgenson went on to found the Hellecasters and toured with Elton John’s band for six years. Artists ranging from Barbra Streisand to Bonnie Raitt to Earl Scruggs have sought out Jorgenson’s guitar work. Jorgenson portrayed Django Reinhardt in the Hollywood feature film Head in the Clouds. In 2008, Jorgenson won a Grammy for Best Country Instrumental with Brad Paisley and was nominated for Best Bluegrass Album with Earl Scruggs.

Herb Pedersen was a member of legendary bluegrass band The Dillards as well as bluegrass super-group Old and In the Way. A sought-after singer and musician, he has worked with such music legends as Chris Hillman, Earl Scruggs, Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, Tony Rice, Dan Fogelberg, Stephen Stills, Linda Ronstadt, Kris Kristofferson, John Prine, Jackson Browne and John Denver.

Mark Fain toured and recorded as bass player for Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for 13 years. He’s toured and recorded with the Dixie Chicks, Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt, Dwight Yoakam, Allison Krauss and Dolly Parton, as well as producing many artists in jazz, country, bluegrass and gospel genres.Patrick Sauber is a multi-instrumentalist who has quickly made a name for himself in the world of bluegrass and old time music. Equally adept on guitar, mandolin and banjo, Sauber has toured with Peter Rowan and Laurie Lewis and appeared on screen in “The Mighty Wind.”

J2B2’s debut album, ‘From The Crow’s Nest’, was recorded in Sheryl Crow’s home barn studio in Nashville, Tennessee. The album was recently released as part of a John Jorgenson limited edition, 3-CD box set called DIVERTUOSO (Cleopatra Records), which has received vast critical acclaim. DIVERTUOSO includes three new distinct albums by Jorgenson: J2B2 – From The Crow’s Nest; John Jorgenson Quintet – Returning (gypsy jazz); and John Jorgenson – Gifts From The Flood (instrumental electric guitar).

In addition to recording their first album as a group, J2B2 has played several major tour dates over the course of the past two and a half years, including tours of Norway and the UK, performances at the annual RockyGrass Festival in Lyons, Colorado; the Joe Val Festival in Framingham, Massachusetts; and headlining the Guitar Town Festival in Copper Mountain, Colorado, three years in a row. J2B2 made its Grand Ole Opry debut in October 2013 and has returned several times to the Opry since.

J2B2 has created quite a buzz, and The International Bluegrass Music Association is among the many giving the newly formed band’s live performance high marks. In a review, the IBMA noted, “There was warmth, and storytelling, and lots of laughter as this fresh band of legends made their debut…but with their expertise combined, you would think they had been playing in this configuration for years.”Yes! Weekly in Greensboro, NC has noted of J2B2: “Expect fireworks and amazing playing from some of the best string players in the world.”

Track List

01. Beautiful Sound
02. I Will Shelter You
03. Wait a Minute
04. Wandering Boy
05. There Is a Time
06. Ladies Bluff
07. Travelin’ Angels
08. No One Else
09. Die Tryin’
10. If You Could See
11. Feather
12. A Heart Always True
13. Let Me Get Out of This World
14. Gina
15. Whiskey Lullaby

Credits

Bill Anderson – Composer
Guy Clark – Composer
Rodney Crowell – Composer
Rodney Dillard – Composer
Mark Fain – Bass, Group Member
Jason Henke – Photography
Steve Hill – Composer
Chris Hillman – Composer
Mitchell Jayne – Composer
John Jorgenson – Baritone (Vocal), Composer, Group Member, Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm), Mandolin, Mastering, Mixing, Primary Artist, Producer, Tenor (Vocal), Vocals
John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band – Primary Artist
Steve Kempster – Mixing
Mike Lawson – Photography
Señor McGuire – Photography
Gary Paczosa – Engineer
Herb Pedersen – Banjo, Baritone (Vocal), Composer, Group Member, Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm), Tenor (Vocal), Vocals
Libby Pedersen – Composer
Jon Randall – Baritone (Vocal), Composer, Duet, Group Member, Guitar, Tenor (Vocal), Vocals
J.D. Souther – Composer

Ultraspontane

admin — Thu, 31 May 2018 11:18:49 +0000

“…the guitarist has long been interested in the Gypsy swing of the legendary jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt and has recorded several CDs in that genre that still likely end up placed in the country sections of record stores. This 2007 release features Jorgenson leading a different kind of group than Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli had with the Quintet of the Hot Club of France, as he substitutes Stephan Dudash (on a five-string viola) and percussion in the place of a second rhythm guitarist. Most of Jorgenson’s nine originals are very much in the Gypsy swing tradition and his mastery of his instrument is apparent throughout the date, with highlights including the engaging “Bossa Orpheum.” Not everything is completely in the Gypsy swing mold; “Ultraspontane” has a Middle Eastern flavor, while the playful “G-Funk” adds the Nashville String Quartet to accompany the guitarist and bassist Charlie Chadwick. “La Journee des Tziganes” (which also adds the strings) also has a contemporary swing flavor, with hints of David Grisman. The one standard is a lightly swinging “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me,” which adds a warm vocal by Beryl Davis, while Jorgenson also interprets Reinhardt’s “Improvisation No. 1” and “Improvisation No. 2″ with finesse. John Jorgenson the jazz guitarist is obviously here to stay.”

AllMusic.com Review by Ken Dryden

David Angell – Guest Artist, Violin
Monisa Angell – Guest Artist, Viola
Gonzalo Bergara – Guitar (Rhythm)
Charlie Chadwick – Bass, Engineer
David Davidson – Guest Artist, Violin
Beryl Davis – Guest Artist, Vocals
Stephan Dudash – Viola
Connie Ellisor – String Arrangements
David Hancock – Cello, Guest Artist
Don Hart – String Arrangements
John Jorgenson – Clarinet, Composer, Design, Guitar, Mastering, Mixing, Overdub Engineer, Primary Artist, Producer, Soloist, Tambourine
John Jorgenson Quintet – Primary Artist
Alan Messer – Photography
Bryan Owings – Percussion
Jackie Pickett – Double Bass, Guest Artist
Django Reinhardt – Composer

Return of the Hellecasters

admin — Thu, 31 May 2018 11:10:48 +0000

Three guitar virtuosos – John Jorgenson, Jerry Donahue, and Will Ray – collaborated for a one-time-only performance which eventually grew into a 10-year partnership. Hear their Tele-torturing mayhem on this first album.

Jeff Adamoff – Art Direction
Dennis Belfield – Bass
Vincent Cirilli – Engineer
Jerry Donahue – Arranger, Composer, Drum Programming, Drums, Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Rhythm), Guitar (Tremolo), Producer, Programming
Pat Donaldson – Bass
Michael Dumas – Engineer, Mixing
Steve Duncan – Drums
Skip Edwards – Organ
Jim Emich – Engineer
Jim Emrich – Engineer
Davey Faragher – Bass
Dan Fredman – Producer
Joe Gastwirt – Mastering
Don Gibson – Composer
Gipsy Kings – Composer
The Hellecasters – Arranger, Primary Artist, Producer
Chuck Hogan – Engineer
John Jorgenson – Arranger, Bass, Composer, Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Rhythm), Mixing, Multi Instruments, Organ, Piano, Producer, Slide Guitar, Synthesizer, Tambourine, Trombone
Bob Kearney – Engineer
Donald Lindley – Drums, Tambourine
Pete Magdaleno – Engineer
Liz Magro – Engineer
Henry Mancini – Composer
Michael McDonald – Engineer
John Modell – Mastering
Will Ray – Arranger, Bullhorn, Composer, Guitar, Guitar (12 String), Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Rhythm), Horn, Producer, Slide Guitar, Tambourine
Jerry Reed – Composer
Scott Ross – Engineer
Ervin T. Rouse – Composer
Tom Walsh – Drums
Charlie Watts – Mixing

One Stolen Night

admin — Thu, 31 May 2018 10:59:08 +0000

The most recent release from the John Jorgenson Quintet!

Jason Anick – Violin
Gonzalo Bergara – Bandoneon, Guest Artist
David Dial – Photography
Sandra Differding – Guest Artist, Trombone
Tania Differding – Guest Artist, Trombone
Jim Fisher – Photography
Jorgenson – Composer
John Jorgenson – Bouzouki, Clarinet, Engineer, Guitar, Mixing, Primary Artist, Producer, Sax (Soprano), Vocals
John Jorgenson Quintet – Primary Artist
Ernie Meloche – Photography
Kevin Nolan – Guitar (Rhythm)
Simon Planting – Bass
Rick Reed – Percussion
Rory Rositas – Engineer
Yvain Jouve Mrique St Granier – Composer

Istiqbal Gathering

admin — Thu, 31 May 2018 10:55:48 +0000

With this album, Gypsy jazz guitarist and composer John Jorgenson takes another bold step in his ongoing expansion of that music’s boundaries. The first three tracks constitute a concerto for orchestra and solo guitar played in the style of Django Reinhardt. It’s not clear whether the string writing is by Jorgenson or by his partner in composition, Don Hart, but it is exceptionally lovely, and the piece overall combines Latin, jazz, and classical flavors beautifully. “Deiter’s Lounge” and “Groove in the Louvre,” both of which feature the Nashville Orchestra and the Turtle Island String Quartet (but for the most part buries the quartet in the denser orchestral texture), are also very fine examples of orchestral jazz; the former seems to be built on a modified 12-bar blues pattern, while the latter is a bit more frantic and high-energy. The album’s final composition is the title track, and is something of a mixed success. The simple melodic conceits that open the piece are given fulsome harmonic settings that seem a bit over the top, but they give way to Middle Eastern segments that are more interesting. Gradually, the whole arrangement blossoms into a rather programmatic sound, one that is certainly very pleasant but tends just a bit toward exotic for exotic’s sake. Jorgenson is pretty much alone in his willingness and ability to realize these kinds of experiments, though, and both his playing and his expansive creativity make for consistently interesting and frequently gorgeous music.

David Balakrishnan – Composer
David Davidson – Violin
Alexander Fedoriouk – Cimbalom
Paul Gambill – Conductor, Producer
David Habagger – Assistant
Don Hart – Composer
Gary Hedden – Engineer, Mastering, Mixing, Producer
John Jorgenson – Artwork, Composer, Guitar, Layout, Primary Artist
Joseph Logsdon – Engineer, Mixing
Rob Luckey – Assistant
Carl Marsh – Composer
Nashville Chamber Orchestra – Primary Artist
Orchestra Nashville – Orchestra
Evan Price – Arranger
Turtle Island String Quartet – String Quartet

Hell III: New Axes to Grind

admin — Thu, 31 May 2018 10:44:43 +0000

The Hellecasters’ most recent album, Hell III: New Axes To Grind surpasses the jaw-dropping technique of its predecessors. Scorching licks and tricks from the masters of twangdemonium as they devour the frets at neck-breaking speed. Definitely not to be missed.

Dennis Belfield – Bass, Fretless Bass
Jerry Donahue – Composer, Coral Sitar, Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Rhythm), Synthesizer
Steve Duncan – Drums, Percussion
The Hellecasters – Primary Artist
John Jorgenson – Composer, Drum Programming, Guitar, Rhythm, Synthesizer
Will Ray – Composer, Guitar