Ray Wylie Hubbard’s “Grifter’s Hymnal” Album Upcoming
When you’re compiling your list of most-anticipated albums for 2012, you’ve got another one to add to the top of the heap. Ray Wylie Hubbard has announced he’s got a new one ready for 2012 called Grifter’s Hymnal, and he’s got an interesting cast of characters helping him, including Ringo Starr, long-time drummer Rick Richards, George Reiff, and his son Lucas Hubbard.
Here is what I have been up to in case you were wondering. I am am in the middle of mixing the new record with george reiff. The musicians who played on the record are Rick Richards, George Reiff, Audley Freed, Billy Cassis, Lucas Hubbard, Ian Mclagann, Ringo Starr and Brad Rice. Javi Garcia is doing his voodoo magic on the album artwork. We’re gonna call it “The Grifter’s Hymnal”, got a ring to it, huh?
Hubbard’s “Grit, Groove, Tone & Taste” mantra to making albums, along with his cunning use of lyrics, has made him known in certain circles as “Wylie Lama,” an originator of style from which other artists can learn from. This makes his albums a template for musicians, and a treasure trove for fans. His 2010 release A. Enlightenment B. Endarkenment (Hint: There is no “C”) was a Saving Country Music 2010 Album of the Year candidate. When I spoke to Ray a few months ago, he talked about how excited he was about this album, and the unique place he decided to record it.
At Festival Hill in Round Top, TX, they have a musical conservatory there. It’s an amazing place. They have a thing called the Edith Bates Old Chapel. It’s an old Methodist Church I think built in 1830 in LaGrange, and they moved it to this facility and it’s just incredible. The sound is just incredible. I’m really excited about it.
No word yet on a release date. Stay tuned.
December 13, 2011 @ 3:11 pm
After his last album I can’t wait for this one. I think you should go ahead & give it the 2012 album of the year award.
Tuesday Tiddy Bits
December 13, 2011 @ 6:27 pm
[…] New Ray coming your way.  […]
December 13, 2011 @ 11:16 pm
Badass
December 14, 2011 @ 11:26 am
I am really looking forward to this as well as the new album JTE apparently just finished. Enlightenment was my favorite new album in 2011 (I didn’t buy it until last spring.)
December 14, 2011 @ 6:09 pm
Can’t wait for this one! RWH’s music just keeps getting better and better…hard to fathom how such an already great artist keeps topping himself.
Side note: you DEFINITELY need to check out the guy responsible for the “voodoo magic” on the new album’s artwork, Mr. Javi Garcia. His “Southern Horror” album is one of the coolest things I’ve heard in eons. Gritty, groovy and just gnarly he and that album are!
December 14, 2011 @ 9:21 pm
Javi is one of those names I’ve heard many times but haven’t had the chance yet to check out in-depth. Looks like it’s about time.
March 30, 2012 @ 8:56 am
Review please? I *LOVE* this album. His best in years, in my opinion.