Something Smooth Pete Alderton

• 1 Something Smooth 04:16
• 2 Revelation Blues 03:59
• 3 So Cool 03:36
• 4 Malted Milk 04:23
• 5 Man On The Run 03:28
• 6 Never 03:14
• 7 Making Hay 04:21
• 8 Down To The River 03:05
• 9 Love Blues 02:34
• 10 I Hope That I Dont Fall In Love With You 04:50
• 11 Trouble 03:30
• 12 Redemption Song 04:30
• Total Runtime 45:46

Info for Something Smooth

„My whole life has been a story. It’s too long to tell so here is a tip: listen to the songs.“ Since his 2006 breakthrough, „Living On Love“, everyone refers to Pete Alderton as the „blues man from Paderborn“. With his new album, „Something Smooth“, the Anglo- American singer, guitar player and songwriter proves that it’s about time to discover a new Pete Alderton: the storyteller.

In contrast to other great musical storytellers such as Bob Dylan or Leonard Cohen who chose Folk or Chanson as a vehicle for their lyrics, Pete Alderton stays deeply rooted in the Blues. Seven minute songs full of details and references are not for him, he rather picks out moments, episodes, feelings and moods. This way he builds up a story song by song over the length of an album. His story.

As one can guess from the album title there is a smooth and relaxed vibe on „Something Smooth“. Like in the romantic title track, in „Man On The Run“ or in „Never“, a jazzy piano ballad. These original compositions are accompanied by touching versions of Bob Marley’s „Redemption Song“ and „I Hope That I Don’t Fall In Love With You“ by Tom Waits. But don’t be fooled, „Something Smooth“ is not Pete Aldertons „bedroom album“. the man is way too versatile and edgy for that. Right at the beginning of the album he shows with „Revelation Blues“ by blues legend Robert Johnson that his heart still belongs to the rough Delta-Blues. „So Cool“ is a perfect Chicago style blues song just like „Down To The River“ captures that iconic highway feeling.

On his first three albums for Songways, Pete Alderton worked closely together with Carsten Mentzel. The two continued their sublime team work on „Something Smooth“ by experimenting with different locations in Hamborn Castle, Paderborn. The variety of rooms, settings and sound makes this record so multi-faceted and authentic. The reduced arrangements with acoustic guitar, interspersed with piano and electric guitar, bass, as well as some drums, mandolin and blues harp every now and then, add to the picture. As always, Pete Aldertons voice sits in the mix full of character and confidence. From the first line it draws the listener into the stories and into the song. With all of that „Something Smooth“ reminds one of a good book: once you started you want to know what happens next.

Pete Alderton, vocals, acoustic guitar (7, 9, 10 & 12)
Carsten Mentzel, acoustic & electric guitars, bass, keys, percussion, background vocals
Guest musicians:
Philipp Imdahl, drums (3 & 8)
Dave Jackson, mandolin and harmonica (7)

Produced, arranged, recorded and mixed by Carsten Mentzel
Mastered by Hans-Jörg Maucksch at Pauler Acoustics, Germany

Pete Alderton was born in Felixstowe, England as the son of an American G.I. and an English mother. His sphere of activity is in Germany, where he lives now as a resident of Paderborn. Specialized on blues classics he started his career with the debut album Living On Love, which was released on Ozella Music in 2006. This album was produced by Carsten Mentzel and Dagobert Böhm.

Pete is supported by the same team on his new album Cover My Blues, which was released in March, 2009. Pete, who sings and plays blues harp, is joined by Carsten Mentzel (guitar, bass, keys), Gerold Kukulenz (upright bass), Michel Roggenland (drums) and further guest musicians.

Booklet for Something Smooth