So on Wednesday when I checked the Roots Music Report Chart there at number 15 sat a name I didn’t recognize (what’s new) Peter Parcek and his new CD The Mathematics of Love so as usual I headed over to Rhapsody and they had the album so on to the player it went. It didn’t take long for me to know that this was an album that I was going to like, the opening track “Showbiz Blues” rocked and when the guitar went from one ear to the other I said oh, yeah! Anyway I have listened to the CD several times including part of my run last night. After helping me keep my pace up Pancoast and Fairview the player did one of those I think I’ll stop now and left me music-less for the next 2.25 miles! Anyway the guitar work is great and the vocals are ok. From his website
For over four decades guitar virtuoso, Peter Parcek, has been blending gypsy jazz, country, folk and the blues… especially the blues… into a distinctive sound that he calls, “soul guitar”.
Peter’s soul guitar is on full display on his new album, “The Mathematics of Love”. This album contains ten smartly woven songs performed with band mates, Steve Scully and Marc Hickcox as well as guest spots from the likes of Al Kooper and Ronnie Earl.
“This album represents the most focused, emotionally complex and complete artistic statement I’ve made under my own name.” – Peter Parcek
You can read Peter’s full story at the Story tab of his website
I really like all 10 of the tracks on the album a few more than others. Those are the aforementioned “Showbiz Blues”, “Rollin’ with Zah” which you can download and listen to on his website, “Lord Help the Poor and Needy” – which I was listening to going up Pancoast!, and an interesting instrumental rendition of “Busted” where I think I hear Al Kooper’s organ playing! And the cover of Lucinda William’ “Get Right with God”s at the end of this post. So if you like good guitar check out Peter Parcek! Again from Peter’s website a story about Peter meeting Buddy Guy:
Decades later, he would receive a superlative from Guy. “I met some people who knew Buddy and took me to his dressing room after a show,” Peter says. “I felt a little out of place, because I didn’t really know anybody. So out of nervousness, I guess, I just absent mindedly picked up one of Buddy’s guitars, unplugged, and started playing. After a while I realized the room was quiet and I looked up, and Buddy was watching me with his finger pressed to his lips for silence.
“You’re as bad as Eric Clapton,” Guy remarked. “And I know Eric Clapton.”
And that’s a pretty good recommendation for me!