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Cousin
Harley is the rocking hillbilly persona of Paul Pigat, an
extraordinary guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. Hailing
from Vancouver, Canada, Cousin Harley has a hard-earned reputation
for delivering everything from hot rod rockabilly to foot
stomping vintage country and western swing.
Pigat’s
Cousin Harley style is deeply rooted in the playing of Les
Paul, Charlie Christian and Link Wray with a modern twist
to create a style that is exhilarating in its intensity, yet
at the same time fluid and precise. Paul’s creative
use of tone and dynamics is a hallmark of everything he plays,
and his sense of rhythm is both sophisticated and dead on.
An extremely
versatile artist, with projects ranging from delta blues to
classical music, Hillbilly Madness is Pigat’s fourth
Cousin Harley recording. He has recorded and toured with the
likes of Neko Case, Jakob Dylan, Michael Kaeshammer, and Carolyn
Mark and has shared the stage with Taj Mahal, Mae Moore, Lee
Aaron, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Joshua Redman, Big Sandy
and His Flyrite Boys, Aaron Neville, Jim Byrnes, Ndidi Onukwulu,
Zubot & Dawson, and more.
The backing
band is one of the hottest rhythm sections around Saltspring
Island bassist Keith Picot (The Twisters) and Victoria drummer
Jesse Cahill (Fathead Newman).
Pigat’s
superb talent as a guitarist is matched by his vocal abilities.
His warm baritone is equally at home singing flat-out rockers
and relaxed country swing.
Hillbilly Madness features 15 stellar tracks, comprising 11
original tunes which fit seamlessly with 4 well chosen covers.
The album showcases the swing, rockabilly, blues and jazz
elements that make Cousin Harley truly unique in the roots
music world.
From classic
honky tonk and cow punk tinged rippers, to a helping of western
swing and classic jump blues, Cousin Harley plays in the old
tradition - slugging it out hot and heavy in the trenches
of the live music scene.
Festival favourites, all three members of Cousin Harley, together
and individually, bring extensive collaborative and improvisational
experience to any stage. From traditional to experimental,
across multiple genres, these three talented musicians make
it work.
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TRACK
LISTING
1.My Babe
2.Leave This Town
3.How My Heart Yearns For You
4.Noodlin’
5. It’s Obdacious
6. Cotton Picker
7. Whiskey Highway
8. Who Will The Next Fool Be?
9. Get Ready With Those Tears
10. Get That Bastard
11. Leave Me Alone
12. Burnin’ Bridges
13. Shake It Baby
14. Dust Bowl Devil
15. Thanks for Dinner
All songs by Paul Pigat except 5, 6, 8, 9 & 12.
REVIEWS
“You’d
think I would have heard of somebody as good as Cousin Harley
before this but this is my first encounter with his music
and it couldn’t be more of a pleasure! …Top notch…a
straight 10 out of 10.”
— Gaby Maag-Bristol, Blue Suede News (USA)
“...Pigat
is a ballsy, confident vocalist, at home equally with ...
forceful rockabilly ... laid back Western Swing tunes and
... slow ballads. His lead guitar is stunning and the generous
breaks bristle with invention and at times are lightning fast.”
— Harry Dodds, Now Dig This (UK)
“Yep,
Hillbilly Madness is some slick shit, smooth enough to help
fill the gap left by the passing of Mr. Ray Condo. Not too
slick mind you. There is plenty of bite behind the baritone
vocal stylings of Cousin Harley. Round it out with a super-solid
rhythm section and a whole lot of mind-bending guitar, and
you got yourself a winner. Ray would be proud.”
— The Nerve (Vancouver)
“Vancouver guitar-wiz Paul Pigat’s rip-snortin’
roots-rock trio is a joy ... reminiscent of Les Paul’s
subtlety crossbred with Link Wray’s stinging attack.
Revved-up honky-tonk with fuel-injected R&B.” 4
Stars.
— TV Week (Vancouver)
Great guitar toe-tapping licks! ... one hell of a fast-paced,
rockin’, 15-track fever-filled album that might make
the dead dance. Paul Pigat, a.k.a. Cousin Harley, showcases
some amazing guitar playing and is backed by a strong band.
All in all, no madness here, just a lot of fun! —
Penguin Eggs (Canada)
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