Carolyn Wonderland – Tempting Fate

 

Carolyn Wonderland - Tempting Fate

Carolyn Wonderland – Tempting Fate
Format: CD
Label: Alligator Records
Release: 2021

Release date: October 8, 2021

This is her Alligator Records debut

On ‘Tempting Fate,’ Carolyn Wonderland delivers ten riveting songs, including five fiery originals (and one co-write with her Mayall bandmate Greg Rzab).

On every song—from the searing, guitar-heavy Broken Hearted Blues to the tender and poignant Crack In The Wall to the very Texan love song for her boot collection, Texas Girl And Her Boots, to the politically-charged Fragile Peace And Certain War to the take-no-prisoners version of the Grateful Dead’s Loser—Wonderland throws herself completely into the music.

Her shining duet with Jimmie Dale Gilmore on Bob Dylan’s It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry redefines the song. Her explosive guitar work and commanding vocals on John Mayall’s The Laws Must Change makes his song hers.

In addition to her longtime road band—bassist Bobby Perkins and drummer Kevin Lance—who anchor every song, guests on ‘Tempting Fate’ include Gilmore, Cindy Cashdollar on lap steel guitar, Marcia Ball on piano, Shelley King on background vocals, Jan Flemming on accordion and Red Young on organ and piano, with producer Dave Alvin playing guitar on three songs.

“I can’t wait to share the new album,” says Wonderland. “I got to record a dream list of songs and play with a dream list of people. And Dave really got me to kick the doors in. And it’s hip to be on Alligator. If you could see my record collection, it’s full of Alligator albums.”

Tracks:
01. Fragile Peace And Certain War (3:58)
02. Texas Girl and Her Boots (4:20)
03. Broken Hearted Blues (4:52)
04. Fortunate Few (3:24)
05. Crack in the Wall (3:11)
06. The Laws Must Change (4:59)
07. Honey Bee (4:25)
08. On My Feet Again (for Russ) (2:59)
09. It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry (with Jimmie Dale Gilmore) (3:47)
10. Loser (7:15)

With
Dave Alvin: Rhythm Guitar on Crack in The Wall, Fragile Peace And Certain War, Second Lead Guitar on Loser
Red Young: Organ on Broken Hearted Blues, The Laws Must Change and Fortunate Few, Piano on On My Feet Again
Marcia Ball: Piano on Texas Girl And Her Boots
Cindy Cashdollar: Lap Steel on Crack In The Wall and It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry
Shelley King: Background Vocals on Texas Girl And Her Boots, Honey Bee and Loser
Jan Flemming: Accordion on Crack In The Wall and Honey Bee
Jimmie Dale Gilmore: Vocals on It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry

Website: https://carolynwonderland.com/

Photo: Marilyn Stringer