On November 5, Nashville’s Plowboy Records will release ‘Fevers,’ the new record from “modern day Jimmie Rodgers” (Entertainment Weekly), Paul Burch. Backed by his band, the WPA Ballclub, Burch reveals a side rarely heard in the studio—intense, unbridled, and full of bravado. A haunting mix of honky tonk, stringband blues, and rock and roll grooves that defy easy categorization, ‘Fevers’ captures the sound of discovery, of performance over perfection. The Nashville Scene recently declared, “This could be Paul Burch’s year,” calling him “one of Nashville’s most underrated singer-songwriters, performers and bandleaders.”
‘Fevers’ includes 10 Burch compositions, including first single “Couldn’t Get a Witness,” along with two covers: “Ocean of Tears,” originally by Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Memphis Slim’s “I’m Going to Memphis,” which was originally released on Alan Lomax’s ‘Blues in the Mississippi Night.’ ‘Fevers’ was recorded at Paul’s own analog studio, Pan American Sound and was co-produced with multi-instrumentalist Fats Kaplin, a founding member of both the WPA Ballclub and Jack White’s Buzzards. Fats will also be touring with Paul as a part of the WPA Ballclub this November.
The songs range from lyrical ballads like “Melancholy Baby,” which combines harmonium and violin into an unearthly string section, to a startling reimagining of the folk classic “Cluck Old Hen,” which conjures a sandstorm howl of chanting feedback with the very same instruments.
First formed at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in Nashville, the WPA Ballclub will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year. The group spearheaded the Lower Broadway Revival, and members include some of Music City’s most forward thinking and innovative musicians.
Burch has served as a film consultant (PBS’ The Appalachians), will appear on Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move /Partnership for a Healthier America album, and received a GRAMMY nomination for his contribution to Charlie Louvin’s 2007 comeback album.
Plowboy’s first two releases include ‘Darker Than Light’ by Bobby Bare, who will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame later this year, and ‘You Don’t Know Me: Rediscovering Eddy Arnold’ a tribute album to honor one of the most influential country musicians of all time.
‘Fevers’ Tracklist:
1. Cluck Old Hen
2. Couldn’t Get A Witness
3. Straight Tears, No Chaser
4. Two Trains Pullin’
5. Ocean of Tears
6. Luck Ran Out
7. Breaking in a Brand New Heartache
8. (I Love) A Melancholy Baby
9. Give It Away
10. Sac Au Lait
11. Sagrada
12. I’m Going To Memphis
13. Saturday Night Jamboree
Paul Burch Fall 2013 Tour Dates:
November 8- Ashland Tea & Coffee, Ashland VA
November 9- Gypsy Sally’s, Washington DC
November 10- Tin Angel, Philadelphia, PA
November 11- Cafe Nine, New Haven, CT
November 12- Atwood’s, Cambridge, MA
November 13- Parlor Room, Northampton, MA
November 14- Rockwood Music Hall (Stage 2), New York, NY
November 15- Burning Bridge, Lancaster, PA
November 16- Elk Creek Cafe, Millheim, PA
November 20- Music City Roots, Nashville, TN (Plowboy Records Event)
(More dates TBD)