Rock, blues, roots and soul trio, Butcher, Baglio & Estes’ video for their newest single, “Long Player” -- from their debut LP, Gypsy Caravan -- has premiered via Americana UK. The outlet cheers, “beginning with thumping drums, the song then launches into a driving rhythm, underpinned by an insistent, pulsing bass. While all three have been around the music scene for many years, coming together has given them a fresh energy, best exemplified by the dynamic guitar solos and the distorted vocals that give ‘Long Player’ an atmospheric edge… Butcher, Baglio & Estes are ultimately just three guys having fun and making the most of their enduring friendship. It’s all about their camaraderie and that’s what makes it feel relatable, accessible, and fun.”
The video finds the trio clad in sunglasses gathered around a Shure model 55 microphone, each strumming their favorite guitars (Butcher on a Gibson ES-335, Baglio on a tele, and Allen on an acoustic Gibson) singing in tight, bluesy harmony about their love of the first wave of rock and roll and making music for the long haul.
Watch “Long Player” here
The collaboration highlights the strengths of soul-infused guitarist/songwriter/producer, Jon Butcher (Axis, Barefoot Servants) energetic rock guitarist/songwriter Sal Baglio (The Amplifier Heads, Tom Hambridge & The Rattlesnakes, The Stompers), and legendary singer-songwriter, Allen Estes. The eleven original songs on their Gypsy Caravan are steeped in Americana, roots rock, and 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 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.”
