Cousin Harley - Blue Smoke: The Music Of Merle Travis (2017)

Canada’s rockabilly heroes knock it out of the park once again with their 6th release! Paul Pigat, Jesse Cahill and Keith Picot pay homage to their hero and one of the 20th century’s most influential guitarists for what would have been his 100th birthday. Recorded at HeavyOSonic studios in Vancouver BC, the CD features eleven Merle Travis classics that have been given Cousin Harley’s hallmark virtuosic rockabilly and western swing treatment and also includes one original song, Rosewood - a tribute to Travis’ birthplace.
Pigat’s affection and respect for Travis are best summed up in the liner notes: “Merle’s swinging fingerstyle playing, driving backbeat, and wry sense of humor are cornerstones of the Cousin Harley sound. Always have been; always will be. And, although we’ve taken some liberties and added a bit of the trademark Cousin Harley flair to Merle’s original recordings, we didn’t veer too far off track. Our goal was to pay homage and respect to this inspirational American music icon. Why mess with the best??”
This CD is sponsored by Bigsby Guitars, whose founder, Paul Bigsby, worked with Merle Travis in 1948 to build the first modern solidbody electric guitar. The Gretsch Company owns Bigsby today.
Vancouver’s Cousin Harley is the rocking hillbilly persona of Gretsch endorsee Paul Pigat - multi instrumentalist, composer, arranger, producer and guitarist of epic proportions. Having shared the stage with such legendary artists as Brian Setzer, the Reverand Horton Heat, James Burton and Jakob Dylan to name a few, this band has a hard-earned reputation for delivering their unique take on everything from high octane rockabilly to hot club infused western swing and all points in between. Cousin Harley is an unstoppable rock ‘n’ roll wrecking crew with a blistering live show that is not to be missed!