It’s perhaps unsurprising that nobody recognizes Benmont Tench, for too long the faceless soul of Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers. After all, singers and guitar players are typically the focal points.
Then there’s the fact that Tench, despite a resume that would shame some Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, is only just now releasing his debut solo effort — You Should Be So Lucky, due February 18, 2014, on Blue Note Records. That’s combined to give short shrift to someone who’s composed a No. 1 country hit for Rosanne Cash and a Top 5 UK smash for Feargal Sharkey, to say nothing of sideman gigs with the likes of Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks, Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton, Don Henley and, of course, Petty.
You Should Be So Lucky, produced by Glyn Johns of the Eagles, Who, Faces and Beatles fame, aims to change all that — beginning with this easy-going country-rock lead single, “Blonde Girl, Blue Dress.” Tench not only provides the comfy front-porch organ sounds but a lived-in, J.J. Cale-style vocal.
Elsewhere, Petty and Starr return the favor, sitting in on an album that elsewhere includes Don Was, Ryan Adams and Gillian Welch, among others. Tench is also set to cover Dylan’s “Duquesne Whistle,” a stand-out moment from 2012’s Tempest.
[amazon_enhanced asin=”B00H5D533O” container=”” container_class=”” price=”All” background_color=”FFFFFF” link_color=”000000″ text_color=”0000FF” /] [amazon_enhanced asin=”B00002ND7R” container=”” container_class=”” price=”All” background_color=”FFFFFF” link_color=”000000″ text_color=”0000FF” /] [amazon_enhanced asin=”B000002OYT” container=”” container_class=”” price=”All” background_color=”FFFFFF” link_color=”000000″ text_color=”0000FF” /] [amazon_enhanced asin=”B0015FHDS6″ container=”” container_class=”” price=”All” background_color=”FFFFFF” link_color=”000000″ text_color=”0000FF” /] [amazon_enhanced asin=”B002YF40A0″ container=”” container_class=”” price=”All” background_color=”FFFFFF” link_color=”000000″ text_color=”0000FF” /]
- Nick DeRiso’s Best of 2015 (Rock + Pop): Death Cab for Cutie, Joe Jackson, Toto + Others - January 18, 2016
- Nick DeRiso’s Best of 2015 (Blues, Jazz + R&B): Boz Scaggs, Gavin Harrison, Alabama Shakes - January 10, 2016
- Nick DeRiso’s Best of 2015 (Reissues + Live): John Oates, Led Zeppelin, Yes, Faces + others - January 7, 2016
This is for sure a highly anticipated album for 2014. I disagree though that Ben is a “faceless soul” of the Heartbreakers. He’s one of the vital six that make the magic for the fans who want to hear more than Free Fallin’ and American Girl at shows (no disrespect to either great song). Tench is a music purist and his skills on those keys is something to behold. 🙂 Can’t wait.
Agreed, Holly. Unfortunately, most people outside of Petty diehards don’t know much about him. Here’s hoping this new album will change all of that.