ALBERT CUMMINGS: From the Heart

Albert Cummings

From the Heart

© 2002 Albert Cummings (656613629925)

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"Albert Cummings blasts onto the blues/rock scene armed with a rare blend of power, authority and soul." Andy Aledort -Senior Editor, Guitar World Magazine This album was produced by Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon of the legendary "Double Trouble"

tracks

1 Your Own Way
2 The Long Way
3 Regular Man
4 Tell it Like it Is
5 Together As One
6 Barrel House Blues
7 I've Got Feelings Too
8 Living on the Highway Now
9 Ready As I'll Ever Be
10 Rock Me Baby
11 Beautiful Bride

notes

With the release of From the Heart, the stunning debut from Massachusetts' Albert Cummings, the guitarist/vocalist blasts onto the blues/rock scene armed with a rare blend of power, authority and soul. The 33-year old Cummings turned a youthful apprenticeship in bluegrass in the direction of gutsy, rocked-up blues at the inspiration of the late guitar great Stevie Ray Vaughan. It is here that Albert discovered his true voice as a musician.

"Stevie turned my life around, musically speaking," Albert enthuses. Starting on the five-string banjo at age 12, the primarily self-taught Cummings soon found himself gravitating towards the musical diversity of the guitar. "When I heard Stevie, I couldn't believe it. I didn't think it was possible to play like that! I listened to him constantly, along with other greats like Brian Setzer and Danny Gatton. The guitar was an instant obsession."

A personal epiphany occurred in 1987, when he wandered into a SRV & DT show at Boston's Orpheum Theater. "That first time I saw them play, I was riveted. I had never experienced anything that intensely powerful in my life."

Double Trouble's Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon would soon figure directly in Cummings' career. "In October of 2000, I was scheduled to play in Troy, New York. I suggested getting Double Trouble on the bill, and sent them my demo. After playing that and another show with them, they said they wanted to produce me, which was like a dream come true!" "What I like about Albert," says Tommy Shannon, "is that he plays with a lot of fire." Laytonadds, "I dug Albert because I felt I hadn't run into anyone with as much enthusiasm and excitement towards playing in a long time."

The album's title, From the Heart, stems from the Austin, Texas recording sessions, when Tommy encouraged Albert to just relax and play from the heart. "That was the best advise I could have gotten," Cummings says. "In time, I realized it was also the perfect name for the record."

In expressing his feelings about the blues, Albert says, "I love the blues because it is so real, you just can't fake it. There is something about the sound of a great blues guitarist that snaps my head around."

To be sure, many more heads will be snapping to the sound of Albert Cummings, too.

-Andy Aledort, Senior Editor, Guitar World Magazine

reviews

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  • albert cummings
    author: cool toot aka mikey whitmire sc

    great cd, alberts the best in my book.if you love rocking,scorching blues. this is a must for you.excellent cd.

  • That`s it !!!
    author: Werner Hoffmann

    Albert is doing his job very well. It means, bluesrock in a better version. Keep on hardbluesin`!!!

  • Explosive blues/rock player. Excellent!
    author: j. Williamson

    When you push play, this guy Albert Cummings just explodes with awesome playing. His heart is definately in his music and it shows. Excellent CD!

  • Reminds one of the Bridge of Sighs guy
    author: b cates

    This is an excellent record. I think he pulled from the best that suit his style, and made a top notch recording. Kudos all around - to the artist, and to all that helped create this sound. I enjoy it immensely, and that should be enough to cause everyone to purchase it!

  • A great listen every time
    author: ssolie

    Full marks for this guy. An excellent album from start to finish.

  • A great Blues musician
    author: Vanda

    I saw Albert Cummings with his favorite Bass player, Dan Broad at a concert at MCLA in North Adams. The energy in the place was incredible. Albert was having a ball playing and singing and he made sure everyone there was having fun, too. After the concert, I knew I had to buy his CD. I have been playing non-stop since I got it.

  • Sumptuous!
    author: Annette

    This CD is flawless and emotionally charged! Every single song superbly well polished!

  • Nice to see some new talent, real talent!
    author: Randall

    I have been a blues fan for alot of years, it seems like everyone I listen to these days has long since passed on. I love the effort and intensity of this CD, maybe the craft isn't dead after all.

  • Influence Apparent....
    author: Mike S.

    Given Cummings' self-proclaimed influencers, including the inimitable SRV, Danny Gatton and Brian Setzer, one wonders how these styles might meld together. One listen to From The Heart answers all the questions. I found myself lost in a couple SRV tunes while listening to Cummings -- only to pull myself back to hear the Double Trouble back up and production driving Albert Cummings forward. How many claims have we heard from record labels lauding the next great bluesman? Well, folks, Cummings may just be it -- it's real, it's raw, it's talent...it's from the heart. Can't wait to buy the next release!

  • This guy ROCKS!!
    author: Charlie

    I saw Albert open for B.B.King in Beverly Ma. WOW! He blew me away. Funny thing was I had heard this album on a listening station at Border's. Had it in my hand and instead bought John Lee Hooker's Face to Face. I am now kicking myself a little(although John Lee's is an awesome album). This WILL be in my C.D. player.

  • Red Hot Blues
    author: Smirky Jones

    Massachusetts native Albert Cummings professes his love for the stylings of his primary blues hero, the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughn, and - true to form - Vaughn's influence is heard stomping heartily thoughout several cuts of this fiery album, such as the blazing "Regular Man". What sets Cummings apart from other graduates of the University of SRV is his searing vocal ability - cool and melodic one moment, then effortlessly soaring and screaming the next until your iPod begs for mercy. A prime example is the standout scorcher, "Barrel House Blues", in which Cumming's edgy tenor creates a dark, sweaty aura of melancholy and despair so visceral you'll want a stiff drink after hearing it. Almost as a relief, he closes the album with a tender ballad dedicated to his wife, "Beautiful Bride", which shows there's a sweet coolness under Cumming's fire. All in all, FROM THE HEART is just that, and an excellent example of powerful vocal work with sizzling guitar blues. Just keep a fire extinguisher handy when you pop this one into your CD player...

  • Sitting on the trunk of your car in summer music.
    author: pete Smith

    Inspired by StevieRay, Brian Setzer and Danny Gratton this is a very cool CD. Blues, rock, and there has to be some Hendrix inspiration in there; Albert Cummings pulls off a rarity now days. No buyers remorse or skipping over several bad tunes to get to a good one. Albert can credit some great influences, but his own talent shines through which makes him the real deal.

  • Solid lead and vocals--highly recommended
    author: Leigh Cagan

    Was rooting through CDBaby on another impulse purchasing binge and picked this up based entirely on the other reviews, all of which are spot on. This is an impressive performance across the board, in places more blues-rock flavored than strictly blues. You'll want to play this loud and, like me, will probably come back for more Albert Cummings.

  • HOT! HOT! HOT! Uzzzzes sensuality!
    author: Trudy Jones

    First time I heard Albert was on KKFI 90.1 FM in Kansas City and Connie Crash was rock n rolling to him and then interviewed him. I was ready to jump through the radio. The softness in his voice is "red hot" with sensuality and his soul pours out like Tommy Castro makes love to his guitar. When's he going to be in Kansas City?

  • author: Beth Mayers

    Jaw-dropping-blues from an artist who plays with joy and enthusiasm. Remeniscent of the depth of emotion that SRV played with. Together As One brought tears to my eyes. EVERY song contains an amazing jam. Bought 5 extra copies for my family and friends. I'm blown away and loving every minute of it. Thanks Albert Cummings!

  • Albert gets it. No kidding, he feels it - so will you.
    author: Daniel Fernandez

    There are so many "up and coming" blues artists. One magazine editor or minor record label exec promising the next Stevie Ray or BB. But then you put in the CD and get the feeling you're eating a veggie pizza. Not so with Albert Cummings. He delivers pepperoni, sausage, ham, and extra cheese on a thick crust. Who knows where this boy picked up his feel for the blues, or his clean and soulful command of the fret board? How does he infect Electric/Texas blues, with the smokey soul of an acoustic slide on a porch in the Delta, then pour it from the neck of a Stratocaster? More to the point, who really cares where he got it - just listen. "From The Heart" is well done, cleanly produced with an open live feeling like you're sitting there watching. I can't pick any one track that stands out because they all please. From one track to the next - toe tapping good stuff. Enjoy,

  • I have met the future of the blues, and it is Albert Cummings
    author: Bluesrockers

    Please click the (click for website) link to read the entire review.

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