John’s Latest Album

John’s latest album, his first in a few years, is full of all the things that have happened “since we last spoke”. Ah, and so many heroes down that Long Road… Harrison, Thompson, Joey, Dee Dee, Johnny, Vonnegut, Cash, Zevon, John’s parents and Peter Hartman, John’s long-time friend and musical collaborator… They’re all inspirations for this album full of joy, love, loss, pain, laughter, confusion, maybe even (one hopes) redemption.

Disc One has a country and folk feel to it. “Possibilities” was first drafted twenty years ago. “Never Gone” was written while recording this project. “Sha-la-la” was written while John’s parents were fighting cancer. So the album is personal, but you can still dance to it. Just give a listen to “House of Tears.”

On Disc Two John attempts to ape a phrase once uttered by Hunter S. Thompson — “rock and roll the way the big boys play it.” John rounded up some BIG BOYS and PLAYED IT. “That Wouldn’t Be Nice,” for example, has been described as “scathing, rocking, nuclear and apocalyptic.”

The Fantastic Musicians

Guitarist Kevin Barry has been on the road with Mary Chapin Carpenter and graces countless albums by other artists. He’s on Dobro, lap steal, acoustic and electric guitars. All that soulful solo work came almost spontaneously from him.

Dave Mattacks is Disc One’s percussionist. He’s a veteran of Fairport Convention and has gigged with Richard Thompson and so many other famous artists. His help with the song arrangements was greatly appreciated.

Richard Gates is responsible for the rock solid bass. He has toured with Suzanne Vega and represents one half of the rhythm section in Boston’s legendary The Band That Time Forgot. He’s doing a little trick with a sponge on “Big Bed Blues.”

Marty Richards handles percussion on Disc Two (and one track on Disc One). He’s a much-sought-after session player who can be seen occasionally with the Shaboo All Stars.

Pat Conlon was a founding member of John’s acoustic rock band, Sweet Mercy, back in the Nineties. He’s “outta Gloucesta,” MA, where his great mandolin and harp chops have complimented many folk, blues, rock and bluegrass bands.

On reeds we have the Razdans, Rik and Alek, who are father and son, respectively. Rik’s a veteran of the North Shore’s infamous Megwatt Blues Crushers. He’s backed up some heavies, including Barrence Whitfield. Alek is rapidly following in his father’s footsteps. That’s him playing the searing sax solo on “House of Tears.” He was just thirteen years old at the time.

Larry Luddecke, co-producer and recording engineer, is also the keyboardist on the album, adding just the right extra texture to the songs. He is a member of a number of Boston-based bands, most notably The Band That Time Forgot. He’s toured with John Hammond and has accompanied many other famous blues legends.

In his band, Reverse, Ian Kennedy plays “big, loud and stupid rock and roll” guitar (his words). There’s nothing dumb about his violin playing on this album; it’s just sweet, sweet, sweet.

Julie Winslow is a great singer/songwriter from the Boston area. Her voice is so heavenly John decided to overdub her backup vocals and turn her into a choir.

Also on backup vocals is John White, a friend of John’s since high school. He resides in New Mexico, where he has provided solid drumming for many touring country bands.

About The Production

The aforementioned Larry Luddecke co-produced and engineered the album at his Straight Up Music in Arlington, MA. The project was mastered by violin player Ian Kennedy at New Alliance East in Cambridge, MA. Wonderdrug Records, also in Cambridge, handled the duping and printing. Additional recording was done by Johnny Mulhair at the legendary Johnny Mulhair Studio in Clovis, NM.

The generous liner notes were written by Fred Buck of Gloucester, MA, a veteran bass player (most recently with The Megawatt Blues Crushers) and the subject of a recent song by Willie “Loco” Alexander. He’s also a poet, and both a mentor and a brother to John.

Demos for the musicians were recorded by Josie Crosby, a fine singer/songwriter from southern Rhode Island. She’s a great performer with a stirring voice.

Drew Speziale, John’s son, served as Creative Consultant. As the driving force behind the popular band Circle Takes the Square he was able to guide John through many aspects of the production process with relative ease. John’s daughter, Cara Speziale, served as Art Director, taking the photos, dealing with the printer, helping to design the album cover.

Some Things Have Happened Since We Last Spoke is dedicated, of course, to Peter Hartman, John’s departed bass man and “big brother”.