Tommy Emmanuel – Accomplice Two (2023) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Accomplice Two shares the same exuberance, diversity, and sense of adventure as the first album, with a great range of artists. This album features rock legends Michael McDonald, Jorma Kaukonen, and Little Feat; bluegrass superstars such as Billy Strings, The Del McCoury Band, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Sierra Hull, and David Grisman; country icons such as Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jamey Johnson, and Raul Malo; and guitar heavyweights like Yasmin Williams, Larry Campbell, and Richard Smith.

“My accomplices on this album are all in a league of giants to me,” says TOMMY. “They all inspire me to reach for the stars; to give my best while supporting them as they give their best. We all have a chemistry and electricity together when we play music. I wanted to capture this power in songs and performances that will stand the test of time.”

Playing with TOMMY was a dream come true for Tuttle, winner of the Best Bluegrass Grammy 2022, for the album Crooked Tree made with her band Golden Highway. She says: “I’ve been a big fan of Tommy’s music since I was first learning to play guitar as a kid. I got to see him play a few times growing up and felt so inspired by his virtuosity on the instrument as well as his spirit as an entertainer. It was a dream come true to get to jam with Tommy on stage a few years back when he asked me to sit in with him during his set on Cayamo Cruise. That was the first time we played ‘White Freight Liner Blues’ together and I was thrilled when Tommy called and asked if we could cut it for his new album!”

Produced lovingly by EMMANUEL, regarded by guitar great Chet Atkins as “one of the best guitar players I’ve ever seen,” the 16-track ACCOMPLICE TWO is a spirited mix of new takes on indelible classics and brand-new originals from TOMMY. His collaborators are some of the most remarkable musicians on the planet, including Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Michael McDonald, Jamey Johnson and Raul Malo.

The album is alive with the spontaneous, timeless joy created by inspired virtuosos. The combined artistry contained on these tracks is stunning, as is TOMMY’s cheerful ease at connecting naturally with this vast spectrum of musicians. Like the first volume Accomplice One, he merges the presence of beloved, legendary musicians—such as Jorma Kaukonen, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Little Feat, Sam Bush, the Del McCoury Band and Jerry Douglas—with the bright spirit of acclaimed young artists breaking through with a true reverence for the power of song.

“I love the word ‘accomplice’,” explains TOMMY, “because it’s deeper in meaning than `partner’ or `duet.’ I feel that the artists that are on this project are all so unique and gifted that all we had to do was find the right song, work up the arrangement, then record it live and its magic will appear!”

“This album takes risks and is unpredictable,” says TOMMY. “Hopefully it will delight the people who are ready to receive it in their open hearts, minds and ears. I love the fact that Raul Malo sings `Faraway Places’ so beautifully calm, powerful, yet true to Sam Cooke’s original version. Then Sam Bush and I become Homer & Jethro, on `Yeller Rose of Texas,’ a total spoof on the original.”

The album starts with TOMMY’s duet with Billy Strings, the Michigan-born guitarist who won the 2021 Grammy for Best Bluegrass for his album Home. Like TOMMY, Billy honours his roots while also expanding always as a musician. His energy combined with TOMMY’s is what launches this journey, on a two-song medley that celebrates his hero, Bluegrass legend Doc Watson. It starts with Doc’s own song “Doc’s Guitar” and segues into the “Black Mountain Rag,” an old fiddle tune that was Doc’s signature song.

TOMMY has often said that Michael McDonald is one of his favourite singers and songwriters. He’s played Michael’s songs through the years and recorded a beautifully tender version of “I Can Let Go Now” on his Heart Songs album with John Knowles. Now he’s got both—a song and the voice—on “Someone Like You,” co-written by Michael with Dennis Morgan. TOMMY, singing through the strings of his guitar, said he’s emulated the soulful warmth of McDonald’s vocals for decades, and is thrilled to have that sound on his album. Michael, like the other accomplices, was greatly moved by his inclusion. “After being a fan for so many years now,” says McDonald, “the chance to work with an artist and musician of Tommy Emmanuel’s capacity and stature is an immense honour.”

On his own song, “Mombasa,” TOMMY duets with Yasmin Williams, a unique solo guitarist who also plays kalimba, and plays both instruments here. “Mombasa,” she says, “is one of her favourite solo guitar songs ever.” They made the track alone, with no other musicians, which was surreal for her, she said, because he made it fun and easy. “Even though Tommy is one of the best guitarists in the world,” she adds, “the recording session wasn’t daunting at all because he made me feel super-relaxed throughout the session, and comfortable adding my own unique touches.”

Tracklist:
1-01. Tommy Emmanuel – Doc’s Guitar / Black Mountain Rag (feat. Billy Strings) (02:43)
1-02. Tommy Emmanuel – White Freight Liner Blues (feat. Molly Tuttle) (04:16)
1-03. Tommy Emmanuel – Daddy Frank (The Guitar Man) [feat. Jamey Johnson, Jimmie Fadden & Bill Payne] (05:04)
1-04. Tommy Emmanuel – Precious Time (feat. Sierra Hull) (03:06)
1-05. Tommy Emmanuel – Cajun Girl (feat. Little Feat and Sam Bush) (04:04)
1-06. Tommy Emmanuel – Another Man Done a Full Go Round (feat. Jorma Kaukonen) (02:53)
1-07. Tommy Emmanuel – Son of a Gun (feat. Richard Smith) (01:57)
1-08. Tommy Emmanuel – Someone Like You (feat. Michael McDonald) (03:48)
1-09. Tommy Emmanuel – Mombasa (feat. Yasmin Williams) (04:44)
1-10. Tommy Emmanuel – Everybody Loves You (feat. Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams) (04:51)
1-11. Tommy Emmanuel – Mama Knows (feat. Jerry Douglas & Don Harper) (03:08)
1-12. Tommy Emmanuel – Sweet Temptation (feat. The Del McCoury Band) (03:58)
1-13. Tommy Emmanuel – Yeller Rose of Texas (feat. Sam Bush) (02:35)
1-14. Tommy Emmanuel – Tennessee Stud (feat. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) (03:48)
1-15. Tommy Emmanuel – Seven Come Eleven (feat. David Grisman) (03:06)
1-16. Tommy Emmanuel – Far Away Places (feat. Raul Malo) (05:34)