Peter Parcek’s new album, Mississippi Suitcase, explores the humanity of the blues, from the swamps and flatlands of the 1930s Delta to the urban streets of the 2020s. Speaking through both gritty vocals and his guitar, Parcek conveys the pain and joy of life, of the struggle for balance in the modern world.
As one of the truly great exemplars of blues guitar today, Parcek embraces the traditions of the genre while expanding its boundaries. His talent has been recognized by casual fans and blues “experts” alike: Parcek was music director for the historic blues pianist Pinetop Perkins; his first album, The Mathematics of Love, was nominated for the Blues Music Awards’ Best Debut Album; he’s won the New England Music Awards’ Best Blues Artist title and Blues Audience Magazine’s readers’ poll for Best Guitarist; and, backstage, Buddy Guy said, “You’re as bad as Eric Clapton. And I know Eric Clapton.”
As the title implies, the album touches down on several blues’ places of origin. Parcek told Elmore how he chose a Dylan song—not always the go-to songwriter for blues—to include his lovely and bittersweet take on “Beyond Here Lies Nothin’” on the album:
“I was privileged to experience Bob Dylan and The Hawks on tour in the 1960s. Bob played solo acoustic for the first half with only his voice and mouth harp. The audience response was exultant. Dylan came out for the second half surrounded by sonic explorers. These included members of what later came to be called The Band. The guitarist, Robbie Robertson, had clearly studied Willie Johnson, Hubert Sumlin et al., and was infusing blues stylings into Bob’s music with thrilling results. Some booed, but I dug it, it was new and fresh—I remember feeling that you could almost see the notes from Robbie’s Telecaster careening off the walls of the theater. It was like an electric whip sailing through the air. The guitar energy (and volume) was palpable.
“I love Dylan and I adore this song. I wanted to give the lyrics space to be as romantic, intimate & emotional as possible. Staying with the story, letting it reveal its depth and lasting nature. ‘For as long as love will last…'”
Guests on Mississippi Suitcase include North Mississippi All Stars’ Luther Dickinson, Muscle Shoals organist Spooner Oldham and harmonica legend Mickey Raphael, bassists Dennis Crouch (Gregg Allman, Elvis Costello), Dominic Davis (Jack White) and Marc Hickox, and drummer Tim Carman.. The album was produced by Ducky Carlisle (Buddy Guy, Susan Tedeschi, William Bell) and Parcek, with additional production by Marco Giovino, who also drums on several tracks.
Learn more about Peter Parcek HERE
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