SONG PREMIERE: Jamie McLean Band Share Twangy Rocker “One and Only” Off Upcoming Ken Coomer-Produced LP

Jamie McLean is a triple threat. As a guitarist for New Orleans royalty Aaron Neville and Dirty Dozen Brass Band, he’s toured the globe playing fiery guitar everywhere from Madison Square Garden to Japan’s Fuji Rock. His blue eyed southern soul vocals ooze raw emotion and his top-of-the-line songwriting chops bring everything together. With hundreds of original compositions to his name McLean creates a musical gumbo that incorporates New Orleans soul, Delta blues, middle America roots and New York City swagger.

On February 23rd, 2018 the Jamie McLean Band, which also features Brian Griffin on drums and Ben Mars on bass, is gearing up to release their long awaited new album One and Only. Recorded at the famed Sound Emporium studios in Nashville, One and Only captures the band’s strongest songwriting to date. The album was produced by Ken Coomer of Wilco and features special guests Sam Bush and Jeff Coffin of Dave Matthews Band.

Today Glide is excited to premiere the album’s title track. From the opening riffs and verses, it’s clear Jamie McLean finds a major influence in Tom Petty. It helps that, like Petty, he seems to have one of the tightest bands in rock music. The song has that straightforward, no frills American guitar rock sound that is increasingly hard to find in today’s music. The twangy flourish of a steel guitar, soaring harmonies and catchy chorus, not to mention McLean’s heartfelt songwriting, also bring to mind Americana and alt-country favorites like Jason Isbell, Whiskeytown, and the Jayhawks. If “One and Only” is any indication of the rest of the album, then there’s no doubt the Jamie McLean Band have successfully captured the explosive magic of their live shows in the studio.

McLean offers up the story behind the song:

“I spent the better part of last year taking trips to Nashville to sharpen my songwriting chops. The trips and the songwriting were cathartic for some recent heartache, and as the songs poured out, I realized there was a bit of a recurring theme—the ideas of brighter days, silver linings, new beginnings and finding everything you ever wanted just when you thought there was no hope were a common thread. I feel like people need more of those sentiments more than ever these days.

We recorded the album in Nashville at Sound Emporium and had a blast in that gorgeous and historic studio. Ken Coomer from Wilco produced and he was the perfect captain to the musical ship. He really pulled the songs out of us in a perfect way. The band and I tracked live together and each day we had guests join us in the studio which gave each song its own identity. Sam Bush, Lucie Silvas and Jeff Coffin from Dave Matthews Band along with a lot of local musicians added so much to the vibe. The recording process had never been easier or more fun and I’ve never felt stronger about the songs.”

LISTEN:

For more music and info visit jamiemcleanband.com.

Photo: John Ewing