DUDLEY TAFT RELEASES ‘SIMPLE LIFE’ ON VINYL, CD AND DIGITAL PLATFORMS

Vocalist/guitarist Dudley Taft introduces the record with the first single “Give Me A Song,” upheld by a hummable riff and thick groove, the track struts towards a singalong chorus of rock n’ roll poetry. Next, the title track “Simple Life” perfectly captures the soul of the album. Simple, carefree, reflective and a pure blast to dive into. “I Can’t Live Without You” is a groovy blues rocker with some unforgettable guitar work. “In Your Way” recalls a bit of a grunge vibe. Also, on the album, “Don’t Let Them Get Away” is a powerful rocker and the distorted swells of “Pouring Down” and “Shine” conjure signature spirits Seattle with a fresh fire. Everything concludes with an organic jam on “Back to You,” as it examines, “where you fuck up your relationship, and you want to get back to your happy place.” – says Taft

On Simple Life, Taft enlisted the talents an all-star cast of musicians to round out the sound, including drummers Walfredo Reyes JR. [Santana, Chicago, Steve Winwood], Summer Rain collaborator Mike Taponga, and newcomer Chris Ellison. Kasey Williams laid down the bass with John Kessler making an appearance on the tracklisting’s sole cover, “If Heartaches Were Nickels,” originally by Warren Haynes.

Taft has six solo albums under his leather belt and has racked up an endless amount of tour miles. The Midwest native went from co-founding Space Antelope alongside future Phish icon Trey Anastasio in high school to attending Berklee College of Music to founding Seattle staple Sweet Water. He joined Second Coming in 1997 and recorded the group’s seminal self-titled debut, which yielded the Top 10 hit “Vintage Eyes” and “Soft.” 2008 saw him kick off a successful solo career highlighted by a prolific string of releases: Left for Dead [2011], Deep Deep Blue [2013], Screaming in the Wind [2014] Skin and Bones [2015], and Summer Rain [2017]. In between canvasing the United States on tour, he enamored audiences across Europe. His impressive playing and intimate songcraft resounded around the globe with the European Blues Society nominating him for “Best Guitarist” in 2017.

“It’s probably my most honest record. I freed myself from all of those self-imposed structures and allowed the music to happen.” – says Taft