Press Highlights

Glide Magazine

“The rock album that might make 2020 somewhat salvageable.”

“Roots brilliance”

“A swampy and soulful concoction that permeates with the stank of Dr. John, Junior Kimbrough, and whatever else is missing from your life.”


Joe Nick Patoski

(Texas writer extraordinaire and author of books on Austin, Willie Nelson, The Dallas Cowboys, Selena, and Stevie Ray Vaughan)

“Oo-wee, pretty baby, finally, thankgodallmighty, all-new all-real rock and roll that kicks ass without bothering to take names, or bother with labels.

I didn’t realize how much these ears have been pining for something like this until the needle dropped and all was revealed: the sanctified, syncopated ghosts of the original Allman Brothers Band and Mudboy and the Neutrons, many things Memphian, but most of all Arkansas at its rawest, most elemental, and unrefined. It's Howlin’ Wolf and Johnny Cash working out some things in a broke down shack back in a hidden holler with Jim Dickinson guiding the conversation, and Jim Dandy wondering, ‘What the fuck is going on?’

The righteous Rev. Greg Spradlin and the Band of Imperials, serves up all the salvation a lost soul needs from the git of “Gospel of the Saints” and achieves a fevered contact high on “I Drew Six.”  Too often, feeling good through music is built upon anticipation, what’s on the verge of happening, not the way it is. For quite some time I’ve been forewarned that World Boogie is coming. With the arrival of Hi-Watter, I do believe World Boogie is here.”


American Songwriter

“Brimming with the sound of classic soul — think Al Green, Stax Records, Booker T, and any number of other iconic individuals from the ‘60s and ‘70s that bore significant roots relevance. Spradlin and company make music that boasts fire and finesse, all the better to reflect his confidence as both a singer and songwriter.”


Rootstime

“Rev. Greg Spradlin & the Band of Imperials’ “Hi-Watter” is an album that you play at a riotous moment on Saturday night, before cleaning your battered soul with gospels of the Lord on Sunday morning.”


Northwest Arkansas Democrate-Gazette

“…a gloriously greasy convergence of rock, country, blues, soul and gospel that sounds perfect and timeless.”


ALBUM CREDITS

MUSICIANS:

Greg Spradlin - Vocals, guitar, clavinet, bass

Pete Thomas - Drums, percussion

David Hidalgo - Guitar, bass, accordion, drum set #2

Davey Farragher - Bass

Rudy Copeland - Hammond B3, vocals

Charlie Gillingham - Wurlitzer, piano

Chris Michaels - Bass

Friendly Womack - Background vocals

Holly Bradley - Background vocals

Ashley Courtney - Background vocals

Jessica Lee - Background vocals



Produced by Jason Weinheimer (and Jim Dickinson in absentia)

Engineered by Jason Weinheimer (AR); Shane Smith and Jeff Halpert (LA)

Mixed by Tchad Blake and Jason Weinheimer

Mastered by Brian Lucey/Magic Garden Mastering


Recorded at Fellowship Hall Sound, Little Rock; Redstar Recording, Los Angeles; Manny’s Estudio, East L.A.


Album Art: Isaac Alexander

LA Photography: Jeremy Seifert

Delta Photography: Greg Spradlin



Track listing

All songs written by Greg Spradlin, except Go Big, written by Greg Spradlin/David Hidalgo/Pete Thomas, and What Would I Do, written by Ray Charles.

  1. Gospel of the Saints (featuring Rudy Copeland)

  2. Hell or Hi-watter

  3. Stainless Steel

  4. I Drew Six

  5. Don’t Make Me Wait

  6. Go Big

  7. What Would I Do

  8. Sweet Baby

  9. The Maker


Special Thanks:

There are a lot of people who helped along the way in creating and releasing this record, but the making of this record would not have been possible without Jim Dickinson, Jason Weinheimer, Chris Michaels, Pete Thomas, David Hidalgo and my family. Thank you John Peets and Tchad Blake for their involvement and guidance. Most special thanks to Steve Howell, for without whom the release of this record may not have seen the light of day. Thanks to every person who sang, played, and helped along the way. Peace and love to y’all, especially Penn, Stella, and Robyn. xoxo


All songs published by Arkansas Power and Light Music (BMI), Davince Music (BMI), Hill and Range (BMI).


(c) 2020

All rights reserved.


PRess Contact

STEVE LABATE - BABY ROBOT MEDIA

MANAGEMENT

SHILAH MORROW - 14 INCH FRINGE CREATIVE