FIREHOUSE Guitarist Interviewed On 'Decades Of Distortion'

Classic Rock Revisited editor Jeb Wright recently conducted an interview with FIREHOUSE guitarist Bill Leverty for the "Decades Of Distortion" show on the Arkansas City, Kansas radio station KACY 102.5 FM. The chat is now available for streaming in three parts below.

With his guitar work as a member of FIREHOUSE, Leverty set the rock world ablaze with his fiery riffs and solos. But Leverty is no one-trick pony, as evidenced by his latest solo release, "Deep South". Instead of focusing on the arena-ready rockers that his full-time band specializes in, "Deep South" is steeped in tough blues and southern rock sounds – bringing to mind such legendary names as ZZ TOP, LYNYRD SKYNYRD, and the ALLMAN BROTHERS. "When you hear the songs in context, you'll hear that this is not a typical hard rock/heavy metal album," explains Leverty. "On this one, I tried to let the music tell ME how to sound, not the other way around. There are so many different instruments on this album that I have never recorded before. This album is a chance for me to stretch out as a musician, singer, producer and engineer."

In addition to supplying guitar, Leverty also handles lead vocal duties, as well as incorporating such uncommon instruments as a guitarelele and dobro into the mix. Instead of whipping up a batch of tunes that replicate the sounds of the south, Leverty opted to go right to the source. "Most of these songs have been around for about 100 years," says Leverty. "I have a great new appreciation for the American music of the late 1800s and early 1900s, and I wanted to put my twist on it." Featured is the album-opening "Trouble So Hard" (which was made popular by Moby, who sampled some of the original in his hit single, "Natural Blues"),as well as the album's first video, "Boll Weevil", the sweet acoustic strum of "Walk Beside Me", the muscular blues rock of "Samson and Delilah", and a finger-snappin' jazzy reading of the Ray Charles classic, "Hit the Road Jack" (which includes some impressive piano playing from Leverty, as well as vocals from his wife, Kris). Additionally, Leverty's grandfather's artwork adjourns the album's front cover.

You will find yourself playing this album over and over again. It is destined to become a classic, possibly creating a new musical swath, and the CD belongs in the collection of every person who loves music, especially guitar. The album is very deep, and it seems Leverty has aptly entitled it, "Deep South".

"Deep South" track listing:

01. Trouble So Hard
02. Run On
03. Boll Weevil
04. Nine Hundred Miles
05. Samson And Delilah
06. Walk Beside Me
07. Hit The Road Jack
08. Rain And Snow
09. Wade In The Water
10. Man Of Constant Sorrow

For more information, visit www.leverty.com.

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