Mike Farris - Silver & Stone [LP]

2018 release. It's in the quiet moments sprinkled deftly throughout Silver And Stone that Mike Farris reveals a previously hidden side of his singular instrument. His voice, widely known for it's power and range, becomes a vessel for something more subtle but infinitely more rare and challenging to capture-the pure, authentic nature of returning to your roots. Musically, the album delves deep into Farris' background with a wide range of influences, drawing as much from Stevie Wonder and Bill Withers as from Bon Scott and Steve Marriott. Farris' larger-than-life vocals, straight out of the South, sharpened in the clubs of New York City, honed over a lifetime of collaboration and stage time with the likes of Patty Griffin, Patti Austin, Double Trouble, and his own Roseland Rhythm Revue, deliver not only the funky danceable blues-rock that draws audiences to his live shows but also a deeper insight into Farris' hard-earned understanding of the complexities of the human condition. The album was produced by Compass Records co-founder Garry West and supported by a cast of top-flight musicians from across the Americana and soul spectrums including legendary drummer and 'Memphis Boy', Gene Chrisman, B3 master Reese Wynans (Double Trouble) and guitarists Doug Lancio (Patty Griffin, John Hiatt) and Joe Bonamassa.