Elliott Randall

Elliott Randall - Still Reelin' (EP) - 2007 - Private Collection Records

The making of this EP CD has been a musical journey lasting a half dozen years [...and what a long strange trip it's been] – I started the ‘roadmap’ for my new interpretation of REELIN’ before the turn of the century. I’ve always heard a ‘different spin’ on this great tune – from the moment Donald and Walter played me the unfinished track, I heard the 2 harmony guitars in the interludes, knowing that one day I’d interpret those phrases using the Celtic instruments they were meant for. My quest took me to Bill Whelan (composer of Riverdance), who introduced some of Ireland’s finest trad players to the mix. And finally, here it is. I recruited my bandmates Bernard Purdie and Chuck Rainey from the ‘Royal Scam’ LP – I grew up with them in the studios, and just knew that they were the perfect players for this track. I traveled a lot in the process of putting all these fine musicians together – New York for Purdie and Marc Quiñones, Texas for Rainey, Ireland for some of the wonderful Celtic playing, London for the brilliantly subtle piano of Wayne Brown and the dulcet tones of Hamish Stuart… and finally to the great North of England for the topping – Tasmin Archer singing lead. I finally feel that my ‘painting’ of an already great song is complete, and it gives me great pleasure to share it with you. MANHATTAN ATTITUDE and WINDOW are 2 very differing instrumental visions of mine, very different moods, and some lovely musical interactions. We end this mini-trip paying tribute to Bill Withers’ tune, which was written to leave a smile of the face of the listener. LOVELY DAY gets a fresh vocal makeover courtesy of JAG (not to mention loads of subtle ER ol’ school synthesis as the piece builds.) Here’s to you! - ER © 2011 Elliott Randall http://elliott-randall.com/cds/#post-112

A short 4 track EP from ex-Steely Dan guitarist, Elliott Randall. It's arguable as to whether the "Celtic touch" enhances "Reelin' In The Years". The track would have sounded ok with just Tasmin Archer's beautiful vocals. However, Elliott himself has said that he's "always heard a ‘different spin’ on this great tune", and that "from the moment Donald and Walter played me the unfinished track, I heard the 2 harmony guitars in the interludes, knowing that one day I’d interpret those phrases using the Celtic instruments they were meant for."The guy obviously has a deep relationship with the song. His "Manhattan Attitude" and "Window" demonstrate Elliott's guitar ability better. Bill Withers and Skip Scarborough's classic "Lovely Day" is covered with sweet soulful lead vocals from Jagdeep. This is a good EP, and is not a showcase for Elliott Randall's brilliant guitar skills, but it's not intended to be. Some of the musicians on this album include Bernard "Pretty" Purdie on drums, Chuck Rainey on bass, Hamish Stewart on vocals, and Al Kooper, on Hammond B-3 [All tracks @ 128 Kbps] Buy the original for better SQ

TRACKS / COMPOSERS

1 Reelin' In The Years - Walter Becker & Donald Fagen (Celtic intro composed by Elliott Randall) 5:26

MUSICIANS

Elliott Randall, Guitars
Bernard Purdie, Drums
Chuck Rainey, Bass
Wayne Brown, Piano
Tasmin Archer, Lead Vocal
Hamish Stewart, Elliott Randall, Tasmin Archer, Vocals
Declan Masterson, Uilleann Pipes
Robbie Harris, Bodhrán
Zoë Conway, Fiddle
Marc Quiñones, Latin Percussion
Peter Fish, Synclavier
Steve Donnelly, Acoustic Guitar
Simon Hanhart, Jon Fausty, "Pappy" Middleton, Rob Mounsey, John Arias, Philip Begley, Elliott Randall, Recording Engineers
Godfrey Diamond, Mix Engineer
Scott Hull, Mastering Engineer

2 Manhattan Attitude - Elliott Randall 3:41

MUSICIANS

Elliott Randall, Electric Guitar
Andy Treacey, Drums
Darrell Nutt, Drums
Al Kooper, Hammond B-3 Organ
Wayne Brown, Clavinet
Stefan Redtenbacher, Bass
Frank Shaefer, Cello
Clive Ashley, Soprano Sax
Elliott Randall, Recording & Mix Engineer
Andy Scarth, Mix Engineer
Scott Hull, Mastering Engineer

3 Window - Elliott Randall 2:42

MUSICIANS

Elliott Randall, Electric Guitar
Steve Donnelly. Acoustic Guitar
"Level" Neville Malcolm, Bass
Wayne Brown, Keyboards
Andy Treacey, Drums
Jagdeep, Percussion
José Joyette, Percussion
Frank Schaefer, Cello
Elliott Randall, Recording & Mix Engineer
Andy Scarth, Mix Engineer
Scott Hull, Mastering Engineer

4 Lovely Day - Bill Withers & Skip Scarborough 3:43

MUSICIANS

Elliott Randall, Electric Guitar, Synthesizers
Andy Treacey, Drums
José Joyette, Drums
Stefan Redtenbacher, Bass
Wayne Brown, Keyboards
Jagdeep, Vocals
Clive Ashley, Tenor Sax
Frank Schaefer, Celli
Elliott Randall, Recording & Mix Engineer
Andy Scarth, Mix Engineer
Scott Hull, Mastering Engineer