Soul-infused guitarist, songwriter, producer, Jon Butcher (Axis, Barefoot Servants) energetic rock guitarist and songwriter Sal Baglio (The Amplifier Heads, Tom Hambridge & The Rattlesnakes, The Stompers), and legendary singer-songwriter, Allen Estes have joined forces to form a rock, soul, acoustic and blues infused trio that highlight the strengths of each of these celebrated musicians. The New England music veterans will release their debut LP, Gypsy Caravan on August 8, 2022 and celebrate the album live on October 8th at the Recent Theater in Arlington, MA. Tickets for the October 8th concert go on sale Monday, August 15th through the Regent Theatre Box Office and online at https://regenttheatre.csstix.com/event-details.php?e=28
The eleven original songs on their upcoming album are steeped in Americana, roots rock, and tight vocal harmonies reminiscent of Crosby, Stills and Nash and The Traveling Wilburys.
“We’re blue-collar guys from working class families, says Butcher. “We grew up on the sound of rock radio and the promise of an electric guitar. We wanted to make a record that reflected that. We tell our own stories and there’s truth in that. We did a show together at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, MA some years ago. It was magic, the perfect mix of electric and acoustic music. We knew then we had something special enough to take it into the studio.”
“Allen brought this idea to the table,” explains Baglio. “We each have been friends for over four decades and have performed together on various live shows over the years which made it an easy sell. I'm in!"
Recorded over four months at Bang A Song Studio in Gloucester MA and engineered by Warren Babson (Justin Bieber, Matisyahu, Lupe Fiasco, Musiq Soulchild), each member of the trio contributed songs, ideas and arrangements making this album a true collaborative effort. “We worked together in the studio on the songs, ideas came together in the studio, one of us would have a tune and the other the words” says Estes. “As the studio process continued narrowing down the vibe and choosing what would fit. We all share mutual influences, including acts and bands that feature harmony,” he continues. “We almost know what each of the others are thinking.”
The album kicks off with the undeniable guitar groove of “Long Player,” a song that celebrates the music that the trio all grew up listening to, traveling as touring musicians and their endless love of music. “Sunny Day” is a rollicking summertime anthem about kicking back and enjoying being together – no matter what’s going on in the rest of the world. The album’s title track is groovy Americana rocker that opens with the trio singing in harmony, while “Still Runnin’” finds the band slowing down with a soothing, acoustic rumination on a life well lived. “Look Up” has a British invasion vibe and the promise that “the sun will soon be shining.” “Long Gone” is a gentle, acoustic tale of long ago love and “Railroad Line Revisited” opens with a bluesy guitar riff and declares, “I’m going to heaven on a railroad line and I’m on my way.” “Home Again” finds the trio harmonizing, “everybody who is gone will be back around, when we go home again.” “Voodoo Moon” is a dirty blues song followed by the good time jam of “Who Has More Fun Than Us.” The album closes with the dulcet tones of acoustic rocker, “Angel Rider.”
“It is like making a musical gravy,” says Baglio. “Allen brings American roots, folk and real country. Jon adds everything from blues, psychedelic soul power and rock. I bring the roll, blues and bit of British pop. It’s harmony and friendship and it is a beautiful experience"
“We are three different guys with different backgrounds,” adds Butcher. “Three completely different songwriters, three different voices which blend to make a nice sound. A true sound. That’s what we were going for. Friendship, kinship, brotherhood. Having so much in common over so many years creates a kind of brotherhood. Hard times, good times, trials and struggles, tears, and laughter. They’re all the building blocks of brotherhood. And that’s why I’m here. Great music and brotherhood are their own reward.”
Gypsy Caravan
1. Long Player
2. Sunny Day
3. Gypsy Caravan
4. Still Runnin’
5. Look Up
6. Long Gone
7. Railroad Line Revisited
8. Home Again
9. Voodoo Moon
10. Who Has More Fun Than Us
11. Angel Rider
Gypsy Caravan is a record about life on the road,” says Butcher. “We’re road dogs, all three of us. My time with Jon Butcher Axis and Barefoot Servants bears that out. We were in the studio one day and started adding up collective miles and I nearly passed out! The song “Still Runnin’” is autobiographical in that way. We're still playing, still traveling, still running. I say, write what you know.”
“We feel like we’re speaking directly to our fans, our demographic about stuff we’re all experiencing now,” he continues. “We’re talking about our collective experiences as traveling musicians, but it mirrors our own private lives and the lives of our families and friends. The stories on Gypsy Caravan are their stories as well as ours. At a certain point you begin to realize who you really are, verses who you thought you were trying to be when you were 20 years and 20,000 miles lighter!”
In addition to their album release show on October 8th in Arlington, MA, Butcher, Baglio & Estes will be playing select dates throughout 2022.
Butcher, Baglio & Estes perform at the Regent Theatre in Arlington on October 8th, 8:00PM. Tickets for the concert go on sale Monday, August 15th through the Regent Theatre Box Office and online at https://regenttheatre.com/details/gypsy_caravan. The Regent Theatre is located at 7 Medford Street in Arlington, MA.
