If you were worried that the next thing you heard from Brother Sal might be some understated little ditty, you can relax (and you should probably stop worrying so much in general). Brother Sal and the Devil May Care just released a teaser for Sal’s upcoming album The Other Side of Sin with a live studio version of “A Good Hearted Man,” and it’s an epic, seven minute lift and crash track, overflowing with guttural pleas that soar to a triumphant Joe Cocker-ian celebration of impassioned rock and roll.
The song hits like a quality punch in the love gut that makes you spit up a little blood as you smile. Life ain’t perfect, but good intentions and a good heart go a long way, and Brother Sal’s a good hearted man. That’s right, Brother Sal will bring you breakfast in bed, rub your feet, sing you the Dukes of Hazzard theme song—whatever you want, lady pants.*
You may also notice Joe Purdy over by the boards, lending an ear and some additional beard, and that’s always a good thing.
Geoff Neal, Brother Sal, David Immergluck, Jonathan Flaugher, Eli Wulfmeier, Jerry Roe, Joe Purdy. Photo by Douglas Busby
The Other Side of Sin is set to be released in a couple of months. Sal’s been recording it at the famed Sunset Sound studios and co-producing it with Geoff Neal. This is actually a different version of the song than you’ll get on the album. While this track has some undeniable late 60’s rock and roll influences (I’m pretty sure someone gave David Immergluck and Eli Wulfmeier the direction, “just go nuts, and fuckin’ light it up” on the guitars), the rest of the album is more of what Sal calls “prairie songs,” and of course Sal’s trademarked whorehouse gospel, which is awesome, because I love any excuse to type the words “whorehouse gospel.”
The track was engineered by Geoff and the video was shot by Douglas Busby and Damascus films. Capturing a five man band with five additional background singers isn’t exactly a generic, prefab, Hostess cake walk, but they pulled it off and caught all the intricacies of the performance in a way that makes it sound and look simple.
As long as we’re all here, I should probably also mention that after this album comes out, Sal will also be releasing two traditional blues albums, which means he’s too busy to give you a ride to the airport or help you move, so don’t even ask.
*this is not a quote, and certainly not a guarantee.
