Curtis Salgado

As always, Salgados take on soul music is wide-ranging. His heartfelt approach to the music has won him starring roles as lead singer in bands led by such starts as Robert Cray and Santana. The late John Belushi was so inspired by Salgado that he developed his Blues Brother character after him. Salgados take on soul is simple. "If a song is sincere and you believe it, thats soul," he says. "To me Pavarotti is as much a soul singer as Otis Redding; Merle Haggard and Hank Williams are soul singers as much as Sam Cooke. Soul is about heart and about belief."

"Ill be back" has been one of my favorites since growing up with The Beatles as a kid. That particular tune was not in the film A Hard Days Night but is on the soundtrack album. After listening to O.V. Wright and Al Green and how they do a Dylan tune, I thought, why not put a Memphis spin on this? What would Al Green or O.V. Right do with this?"

While Strong Suspicion features other examples of Salgados ability to put an original spin on someone elses song (most notably the Bill Withers song "Who is he (and what is he to you?)," the album showcases Salgados growth as a songwriter. A special highlight is the Prince-like ballad "Inside my heart" while another is the title track. "I wanted to make a greasy Black Crowes/Stones type of thing because I love rocknroll! It was Willie Barber who had the concept of that song and he said to me, see what you can do with it.

"Money must think Im Dead has a melody that Ive had in my head a long time. I wanted an Albert King meets a Jonny Guitar Watson or War type of vibe. Lyrically its about being flat busted and having your head just above water to make ends meet. Its about barely having enough to survive and needing more because you are striving to get what it takes to keep your romance alive."

Salgados music is so compelling because it comes from the heart. "Ive learned a lot of lessons about songwriting. You cant sit around and wait for the muse to hit you. Youve got to write. If you read a lot, like I do, an idea hits you. Its getting better each time I approach it."

Not only does Salgado step forward as a singer to reckon with on Strong Suspicion, but he also asserts himself as one of the best harmonica players on the scene. Check out his playing on such stand-out songs as "Money must think Im dead," "Who is he?" and "Dont wait until tomorrow," among other songs.

Produced by Salgados long-time producer Marlon McClain (who had success recently with solo recordings by The Gap Bands Charlie Wilson) the new album showcases Salgados acutely expressive vocals which confirm his status as one of Americas outstanding singers in the realm of blues, rock or soul. Louisiana icon Sonny Landreths amazing slide-guitar work graces three songs; "Give me patience, "Dont wait until tomorrow," and the title track, while Bekka Bramletts powerhouse duet with Curtis on "Cant stop lovin" is a treat; shes usually lending her voice and songwriting skills to the likes of Faith Hill, Delbert McClinton and Mick Fleetwood among other superstars.

"Sonny Landreth is incredible," says Salgado. "I saw him when I played Mountain Stage and was just stunned. I said I gotta have this sound on my record. He could hear on his own exactly what were after. Shane, my manager, brought up Bekka. I had seen Delaney and Bonney (Bramlett, Bekkas parents) as a kid. Id never seen anything like it: A true rock and soul revue. In Bekka possesses that same kind of magic. In the studio she kept throwing out ideas and every time she did she was right on pitch, even off the top of her head."

While Salgado has been a Northwest-music legend from his Portland base ever since his six year stint in Robert Crays band (hes on Crays debut album), its only been in the past few years that national audiences have been seeing what all the fuss is about as Curtis and his band deliver one of the most powerful live shows youll see anywhere - a rare commodity these days. Curtis singing ability was recognized at an early age, when he came home from kindergarten one day with a note from his teacher pinned to his shirt saying that he could sing. He started his own band in the burgeoning Northwest blues scene in the early seventies then was key part of Crays formative years, leaving to front the respected Roomful Of Blues from 1984-1986. Along the way, he inspired John Belushi to create the Blues Brothers when Belushi was in Eugene, Oregon to film Animal House and caught Curtis act. Belushi dedicated the first Blues Brothers album to Curtis. There was even a stint as lead vocalist with Santana in 1995.

Salgado kicked off his own recording career with Curtis Salgado and the Stilettos in 1991, following it up with More than you can chew in 1995. While both albums generated substantial rock and blues airplay, unfortunately both labels went out of business before he could break through nationally. The more acoustic Hit it and quit it scored him a spot with Steve Miller on Late Night with Conan OBrien. His three albums for Shanachie (Wiggle outta this, Soul Activated, and now Strong Suspicion), combined with consistent national touring, mark the first time that Curtis has had the benefit of consistent career development with the same record company and booking agent. Hes appeared on NPRs Mountain Stage, been the highlight of major festivals across the country and has been winning long-overdue critical raves indicating that he really is one of the great performers on the scene today. Curtis last CD, Soul Activated, was received with critical acclaim and even garnered a WC Handy Blues Award nomination in the category of "Soul Blues Album of the Year."

Salgado is due for the break through that seemed to be his destiny early on. For the first time, all the pieces are in place for an artist who has paid his dues, made his mistakes, and had his share of bad breaks but has persevered.

"Music is an offering and if you accept that offering, theres a connection there, and that is what soul is all about," says Curtis Salgado. "This album is the most satisfying record Ive ever made. We rehearsed and just went in and played our asses off. We had fun. Its an offering until the next one comes along!"

Media Contact Monifa Brown

(973) 579-7763 ext. 26

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