Marc Ford of The Black Crowes
5-11-2016
MARC FORD is one of the most gifted, celebrated and in-demand rock guitarists of his generation. If you know Ford's back story in full, you know it's about a multi-faceted reputation as the fabled lead guitarist with the Black Crowes; at the helm of his own bands such as the Neptune Blues Club and the Sinners; as a vital component of key records and/or tours by acts from Govt. Mule to Izzy Stradlin, from Booker T to Ben Harper; and as the producer of choice for artists such as the great roots-rocker Ryan Bingham and English country-soul talents Phantom Limb.
Ford's early memories were Beatles, Creedence and Simon & Garfunkel albums, and Miracles and Chuck Berry singles. Later came Led Zeppelin and Elton John. "Then I found the first two Jeff Beck records, 'Truth' and 'Beck-Ola,' and wore those out. Then a friend of mine sat me down and put on Band of Gypsys. It scared me to death, it changed everything for me. I was like, 'I didn't know you could do this.'"
After high school, Marc formed his own outfit, "Burning Tree," the acclaimed LA trio whose powerful local reputation led to a deal with Epic and a 1990 album. Noticed by a bunch of Atlanta scenemakers of the day called the "Black Crowes," Ford joined them for 'The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion,' which hit No. 1 and sold two million copies in the US alone as they climbed to the top of the world. His guitars were also front and centre of 1994′s 'Amorica' and 'Three Snakes and One Charm.'
In 2014 he delivered what will undoubtedly stand as one of the finest Americana albums of the decade, "Holy Ghost." It has plenty of space for Ford to demonstrate that his incredible guitar sorcery. Reinvention is an overused word in the creative arts, but 'Holy Ghost' overflows with subtle and surprising pleasures, liberal use of pedal steel, Fender Rhodes, mellotron and banjo, and the best songwriting of Ford's career. It shows off an artist refreshed and refuelled, taking life at a better pace at home in California these days.
This show, promoting that album, is with his own band, the Neptune Blues Club and is another stunning feather in Marc Ford's already colorful hat.
MARC FORD is one of the most gifted, celebrated and in-demand rock guitarists of his generation. If you know Ford's back story in full, you know it's about a multi-faceted reputation as the fabled lead guitarist with the Black Crowes; at the helm of his own bands such as the Neptune Blues Club and the Sinners; as a vital component of key records and/or tours by acts from Govt. Mule to Izzy Stradlin, from Booker T to Ben Harper; and as the producer of choice for artists such as the great roots-rocker Ryan Bingham and English country-soul talents Phantom Limb.
Ford's early memories were Beatles, Creedence and Simon & Garfunkel albums, and Miracles and Chuck Berry singles. Later came Led Zeppelin and Elton John. "Then I found the first two Jeff Beck records, 'Truth' and 'Beck-Ola,' and wore those out. Then a friend of mine sat me down and put on Band of Gypsys. It scared me to death, it changed everything for me. I was like, 'I didn't know you could do this.'"
After high school, Marc formed his own outfit, "Burning Tree," the acclaimed LA trio whose powerful local reputation led to a deal with Epic and a 1990 album. Noticed by a bunch of Atlanta scenemakers of the day called the "Black Crowes," Ford joined them for 'The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion,' which hit No. 1 and sold two million copies in the US alone as they climbed to the top of the world. His guitars were also front and centre of 1994′s 'Amorica' and 'Three Snakes and One Charm.'
In 2014 he delivered what will undoubtedly stand as one of the finest Americana albums of the decade, "Holy Ghost." It has plenty of space for Ford to demonstrate that his incredible guitar sorcery. Reinvention is an overused word in the creative arts, but 'Holy Ghost' overflows with subtle and surprising pleasures, liberal use of pedal steel, Fender Rhodes, mellotron and banjo, and the best songwriting of Ford's career. It shows off an artist refreshed and refuelled, taking life at a better pace at home in California these days.
This show, promoting that album, is with his own band, the Neptune Blues Club and is another stunning feather in Marc Ford's already colorful hat.