More than sixty years into his storied career as one of the modern era’s most accomplished and versatile guitarists, Tommy Emmanuel is still hungry for adventure.
“I feel like the Indiana Jones of the guitar world,” says the globe-trotting fingerpicker. “I’m on this wild journey, just making it up as I go, and I’m thrilled that so many people are having fun joining along with me.”
It should come as little surprise, then, that Emmanuel’s extraordinary new album, Living in the Light, is easily the most daring—and most rewarding—collection in the Grammy-winner’s remarkable catalog. Recorded and mixed in just four days with producer Vance Powell (Jack White, Chris Stapleton, Phish), the album radiates the kind of raw, electrifying energy that can only come from an artist operating in complete and total surrender to the moment. Emmanuel captured most of the performances here in one or two takes, and the sense of joy and wonder in these sonic explorations is more than just palpable; it’s intoxicating. While many of the recordings are solo instrumentals, Emmanuel lends his voice to several of the album’s tracks, as well, grounding his dazzling, percussive fretwork with a poignant dose of warmth and vulnerability. The result is a record as exhilarating as it is intimate, a virtuosic blend of acoustic pop, jazz, classical, and roots music delivered by a master craftsman with a penchant for living on the edge.
“I think people are going to get a rush from this album,” Emmanuel reflects. “There’s a certain mojo to it. I just tried to let my instincts lead me and hang on for dear life.”
While Emmanuel draws on deeply personal inspiration throughout the record—the propulsive “Scarlett’s World” and meditative “Little Georgia,” for instance, are both named for his granddaughters—he also puts his own stamp on a handful of interpretations, reimagining everything from Australian pop hits (“Maxine”) to country classics (“Ready for the Times to Get Better”) to timeless ballads (“You Needed Me”).
By the time he reaches album closer ‘Ya Gotta Do What Ya Gotta Do” (a duet with the song’s composer, Michael “Mad Dog” McRae), Emmanuel’s arrived into uncharted territory, delivering a rhythmic, nearly-spoken vocal over a retro drum machine and slinky bass line, all before introducing the first guitar lick a full two minutes into the song. Today, Glide is offering an exclusive premiere of the video for the standout track. Fans who may be more familiar with Emmanuel’s virtuosic and delicate guitar stylings will find this song refreshingly different, with its simple stomping beat, thick bassy groove, and simple, anthemic vocals that veer into spoken-word verse. In fact, it’s not until the final stretch of the tune that we find Emmanuel ripping into a feisty, blues-laden guitar solo that caps off this fun and raucous little jaunt. The video captures the spirit of the music.
Emmanuel describes the inspiration and process behind the tune:
“This is a song written by one of my best friends, Michael“Mad Dog”McRae. When I heard it, I just couldn’t get it out of my head. I love the lyrics, and we had so much fun singing it together!”
WATCH:
2 Responses
Great video, so funny!
I love this Michael and Tommy! Brilliant!