Shipp - Crow Loudly (2012)

Michael Shipp has a nice one out called Crow Loudly (Roosterboy Music) . Actually, it is billed as “Shipp,” kinda like Van Halen. You know, just a last name. I met Michael several years ago when he was playing in a band with his life long friend Billy Bob Thornton, and I have waited a long time for this record. Shipp, the band, consists of Mike on guitar and vocals, Jai Lambert on bass and special guests are peppered throughout the alum, including Billy Bob on drums and vocals, Dusty Hill (ZZ Top) on bass, Pat Travers on guitar, the late Stephen Bruton on guitar, Les Dudek on guitar, Rickey Medlocke (Lynyrd Skynyrd) on guitar, Teddy “Zig Zag” Andreadis (Guns n’ Roses) on keys, Brad Davis on acoustic and more. Lots of great songs, many written by Shipp, and including adapted covers like ZZ Top’s “Sure Got Cold After the Rain Fell,” The Allman Brothers’ “Its Not My Cross to Bear,” and Bob Dylan’s “Positively 4th Street.” This is a great CD. Outstanding playing and great to crank up in the car when you hit the open road. This Shipp boldly goes where no band has gone before. Fascinating.