Swingin' Door Records presents...

[XNA All-Stars]

XNA All-Stars

XnaAllstars Studio 500w (Fayetteville, AR. November 12, 2007) Mark Risk, Executive Producer of Swingin' Door Records, has announced the upcoming release of a new CD that is destined to have people buzzing. Taking a break from their semi-retirement, Earl and Ernie Cate have joined with some of Northwest Arkansas's premier musicians plus a couple of talented guests to record a CD that features their unique versions of several favorites plus four originals. The scheduled release date is January 2008.

About the All-Stars

Last winter Earl and Ernie Cate and I got together for lunch to discuss a possible recording project. The brothers had recently semi-retired abandoning their relentless road trips to stay home and enjoy life. But, there is more music in these boys. The idea was to assemble some of the regions' best musicians in the studio and see what happens. The Cates got on board and with their name and connections; we were able to bring together a diverse mixture of area pros.

There are a lot of great musicians in the Northwest Arkansas Area (XNA) and we were lucky to have several join us. The incredible blues guitar master Jimmy Thackery (Jimmy Thackery & the Drivers, Nighthawks) lives in Eureka Springs. Jimmy adds his guitar wizardry to several of our tunes. The area's best sax man, David Renko (Cate Brothers Band) plays his scintillating sax on several tunes. He also lives in Eureka Springs as does vocalist Karen 'Sparkle' FitzPatrick (The Ariels) and drummer Tony Walker (The Ariels). Earl Cate's daughter, Dawn (Earl's Garage) also sings on several songs. We did bring in our bass player, Corey Duplechin (Chubby Carrier & Bayou Swamp Band) from Houma, Louisiana. Corey is a fabulous bass player and singer. He was instrumental in this project guiding the rhythm section and adding funk to the sound. We were also lucky to get Fred Tackett (Little Feat) to play mandolin on one track. He has a home in Eureka Springs and spends a lot of time there.

We gathered at this really cool studio on Beaver Lake, Winterwood, operated by world-class engineer Eric Schabacker. We chose a variety of songs and genre to showcase the talents of the musicians. The players laid down some wonderful music, magical at times. The spirit was with us. We had a lot of fun and we hope you enjoy the music.

Produced by Swingin' Door Productions, Mark E. Risk, Executive Producer; Earl Cate,Co-Producer; Eric Schabacker, Co-Producer.

Recorded and mixed by Eric Schabacker of Winterwood Studios, Eureka Springs, AR. Recorded August & September 2007.

Mastered by Bob Katz of Digital Domain

Cover Design and art work by George Dombek

Graphic Artist: Gary Weidner Productions

Photography by Mark Risk and Mike Moore.

The Songs

CAN'T LET GO
This song had been recorded by Lucinda Williams in 1998. She is a native of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Karen has always admired Lucinda and does a great job on this tune. Jimmy lays down some riveting slide guitar tracks on a 1927 National, that was purportedly owned by Bill Haley's and the Comets' lead guitar player. Tony plays the drums and provides the finger snaps. Earl plays acoustic guitar and Corey carries the beat on his bass.
TALK TO YOUR DAUGHTER
A blues classic recorded first in 1954 during J.B. Lenoir's Parrot Sessions. J.B. was a Chicago bluesman with his roots in the Mississippi Blues. He tragically died in a car wreck at age 38. The song has been covered many times over the years. We proudly add our version. Corey's strong vocals and steady bass lead the song. Jimmy plasters the track with his classic blues guitar. Ernie pads the song with the organ. Earl and Tony keeps the beat grooving on this one.
DOWN TO THE WELL
Thanks to Oxford American 2001 for turning us onto this song. It really grows on you. Ernie's lead vocals are perfect and Karen adds the women's touch. Karen was interviewing Fred Tackett for Nightflying about "Feat Fest" in Eureka Springs when she learned he loved this song. So we asked and he agreed to add a mandolin track to the tune. Thanks Fred! Earl plays both acoustic and a striking electric guitar while Jimmy adds flavor with his baritone stratocaster. Corey and Tony nail the rhythm section down.
EVEN NOW
The Cates pulled this out of their repertoire. Dawn Cate sings this ballad with a sensuous style and feel. Eric loves this song. It is truly a Cate family endeavor as all instruments are played by Earl and Ernie. We hope many a romance will be rekindled by this one.
SNAKE DANCE
We found this song on Marcia Ball's 1990 "Dreams Come True" album. The guys first said they couldn't figure this one out. Earl finally got it unraveled and it's turned out to be a fun tune. Karen's sultry vocals and David's sexy sax take you on a slinky dance. Earl's disco beat on the guitar, Ernie's and Corey's funkiness and Tony's percussion bring this together.
STEAMY WINDOWS
Tony Joe White wrote and released this song in 1991. It has been covered by Tina Turner, John Anderson and others. I have always liked the Cate Brother's version. This time we added a female lead singer. Karen knocks it down and David's sax is simply extraordinary. He and Earl trade lead licks throughout this very hot version. Ernie's clavinet and keyboards are out of sight. Again, Corey's steady hand and Tony's drums drive us through the tune.
I MUST BE DREAMIN'
A new Cate Brother's tune showing the mastery of Earl and Ernie. Tight, precise and melodic lead riffs with soothing vocals leave no doubt the brothers are alive and well. Earl and Ernie produced most of this song in Earl's home studio. Ernie added vocals and some special keyboard effects at Winterwood.
ONLY GIRL
Karen's song! She lived it, wrote it, sings it and sparkles on it. Earl and Ernie arranged the song and have crafted a beautiful tune. Earl plays both acoustic and electric guitar while Ernie caresses the keys. David adds a soft touch of sax and Corey and Tony keep the rhythm going.
ROCK ME
We wanted to take this great country tune by Deborah Allen and rock it up. What we got was a Southern Rock Ð Allman Brothers sound. Earl weaves this song with rolling lead riffs showing off his enormous talent. Karen's raw vocals will rock you. The rhythm section of Ernie, Corey and Tony just keeps you moving on this favorite of Eric's.
SLIP AWAY
Another new one from the Cate Brothers. Ernie's unmistakable voice makes you feel the pain. Earl's piercing leads take us to another level. This song was also produced in Earl's home studio with the brothers playing all parts.
ROCKET CITY BAR
A Cate Brothers' remake but with Dawn singing. Her deep, rich voice carries this one. Earl's lead electric guitar is always prominent while Ernie and Tony's beat lead us through this musical journey. We aren't sure where Rocket City is — perhaps Houston, Huntsville?
NATURE'S WAY
Vintage 1970 "Spirit", as meaningful today as it was almost 40 years ago. Penned by the then 19 year old Randy California, its message has met the test of time. We did take the liberty to change two words Ð "dying trees" to " rising seas". We hope he would condone the change. Randy tragically perished in a riptide while surfboarding in Hawaii in 1997. We wanted to add a new age flair to this tune. Earl created the flutes on Ernie's Yamaha. Dawn and Ernie sing a beautiful duet, Earl plays the acoustic guitar and Tony adds the percussion.
SUPERSTITION
Corey's song! He brings funk and punch to this 1972 Stevie Wonder classic. Jimmy describes Corey's voice as "real cool". We agree. His bass solo stretches new boundaries in bass playing. David's saxes are equally powerful. He plays alto, tenor, and baritone sax. Jimmy and Earl add driving and fascinating dueling guitar solos. This song has great energy. The rhythm track was recorded in one take, magic was in the room that night. We hope Stevie will like our version.