Sam Barron - Chasing the Devil - Music & Performance - CD

Chasing the Devil is an album of new songs from Sam Barron that evolved over a year of performances with keyboard player Ben Stivers. The sparsity of instruments pushed the duo to develop an intimate rapport on stage and to elaborate the melodic themes within a minimalist framework. As the pandemic fizzled, Barron and Stivers flew to Los Angeles to work with producer Charles Newman and drummer Butch Norton. The aim was to keep the duo at the center of the project while allowing Newman to cultivate a full band sound for some of the songs. Tracks like "Chasing the Devil" and "Road to Madness" couldn't be more faithful to the duo's origins. Other songs, such as "Goldfish" and "Like Joan Didion", find the duo expanding into a world of lush Mellotron sounds, crisp drumming and the backing vocals of Elizabeth Ziman. Lyrically, Barron shines, delving into the dismal and corrupt, in search of characters who persevere in a world typified by calamity. Newman's production adds a fourth dimension to the material, burnishing an American vibe, both hooky and resplendent with unique sonic dimensions. Recorded at New Monkey Studio, set for release fall of 2025.