Al Shalliker Electrifies with His Bluesy, Raw Single "Time Out Of Mind"
- STAFF
- Oct 11, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: May 10
By: Staff
Al Shalliker releases the powerful new single "Time Out Of Mind" from his upcoming album The Diamond Hill
With an up-tempo and high-energy delivery, we got a chance to check out Al Shalliker’s "Time Out Of Mind," and it’s safe to say we were immediately hooked by its bluesy rock foundation. The song grabs your attention from the start with unique, intense, and powerful vocals that feel raw and authentic. There’s an element of unpredictability in how Al delivers each line, reminiscent of a drill sergeant calling cadence, each word feels like it’s coming from a place of experience and truth. Lyrics like “I’ve got moonbeams coming out my head” are not just sung but declared, making the listener feel as though they’re part of a personal and emotive performance.
What truly makes "Time Out Of Mind" stand out is the authenticity in every note. Al doesn’t rely on overly polished production or any cut-and-paste engineering tricks, what you hear is a genuine performance, with every vocal and instrumental element reflecting the real-time emotion of the artist. You might hear the same lyric repeated throughout the song, but each time, it carries a new, distinct energy, showcasing the kind of authenticity that only comes from raw talent and passion. It’s like a fine wine, where every note gets better as the song progresses, each verse, chorus, and riff evolving into something even more expressive.
We were also blown away by the guitar playing and the overall arrangement. The harmonica weaves through the song like a breath of fresh air, adding depth and warmth to the track. With no drums, the guitar creates its own rhythm, tapping into a bluesy beat that keeps you swaying along. The bass intricately underpins the entire song, flowing seamlessly with the guitar and harmonica to create a powerful trio of sound. Together, the instruments provide a perfect canvas for Al’s vocals, making the entire track feel cohesive and complete.
There’s a raw beauty in the imperfections of this song, the kind you only get from real musicians playing with passion. "Time Out Of Mind" is the musical equivalent of leather that’s aged to perfection, carrying with it the scars and experiences that make it more beautiful with time. This track is a must-add to your playlist, perfect for anyone who craves authenticity and energy in their music.
Overall, Al Shalliker’s "Time Out Of Mind" delivers an intense and raw bluesy rock performance that is both authentic and captivating. The powerful and unpredictable vocals evoke the feeling of a live performance, with every line resonating from deep experience and emotion. Accompanied by a supporting arrangement of guitar and harmonica, the song flows effortlessly without the need for drums, highlighting this artist's incredible talents and ability to create such an amazing work with simplicity.
You can find this release on any major platform, see below for links to take you straight to some of the profiles. Make sure to playlist, stream, and share "Time Out Of Mind" by Al Shalliker.
Wait… there's more!
We had the chance to catch up with Al Shalliker for an exclusive interview in "The Cage" Music Blog.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview
Hello Al Shalliker, we’re thrilled to have you for this interview! We've thoroughly enjoyed diving into your music and exploring your work, and now we’re even more eager to discover more about you, both personally and professionally.
Can you describe the type of music that you play and the genre(s) you represent? Are there different styles within your genre?
My music sits inside of the alt-folk, indie-folk and folk rock genres. I was the lead songwriter and guitarist for Plymouth band Watershed, who were prolific live performers nationwide over a period of more than 20 years but now produce music as a solo artist. In 2021 I released my debut solo album ‘Silver Linings’ and my second record ‘The Diamond Hill’ will land on Friday 8th November, 2024. Yes I’m influenced by the classic songwriters but my songwriting is my own.
Your upcoming single "Time Out Of Mind" carries a lot of emotional weight. Can you share the personal experiences that inspired this track?
Yes ‘Time Out Of Mind’ is a surrealist, retrospective of a hedonistic lifestyle. It touches on those drivers that can send us down the destructive path but also acknowledges the fun along the way.
What was it like collaborating with your longtime musical friends Tony Davies and Alex McGinnes?
Great working with those guys. I cover all the guitar and singing with Tony Davies joining me on bass and Alex McGinnes on harmonica. Both Alex and Tony had spells playing in Watershed as well so they are long standing musical relationships. We understand each other well enough.
How do you think "Time Out Of Mind" compares to your previous works like "Silver Linings"?
With less players and instruments involved “The Diamond Hill’ is a more focused and rootsy sounding album than ‘Silver Linings’.
Given that "Time Out Of Mind" touches on hedonism and a destructive path, how did you balance humor with the song’s more serious themes?
Humour is useful and brings great relief, we can find it in all sorts of crazy places.
Your second solo album, "The Diamond Hill," reworks a couple of older Watershed songs. What inspired you to revisit those tracks, and how did you approach reimagining them?
I wanted to tackle these songs with a different feel, rhythm and tempo. Bands are more like families, you make sensible compromises. It was also a good opportunity to experiment with some different harmony singing and play some additional guitar parts.
How does your solo work differ from your time with the band Watershed in terms of sound and songwriting process?
Watershed’s early music was heavily influenced by reggae and soul but there was always significant diversity in the songwriting, which helped create the band’s distinctive sound. The debut album, ‘Moves’ helped secure a record deal but the two albums that followed, ‘Strange Days and Dynamite’ and particularly ‘The Eyes of Eli Wallach’ saw the band gradually take on more of a folk-rock style and that was the way I was heading. Recording music in a band environment has to be collaborative but solo projects help distill the songwriting process.
Having been a part of Plymouth's music scene for so many years, how has the local music landscape influenced your career?
The music scene in Plymouth is vibrant, particularly the live circuit. There are some great long standing local artists including our very own Vince Lee, a fantastic blues singer and guitarist, and also Mad Dog Mcrae who mix up folk rock and gypsy jazz, while fronted by the brilliant Mike Mathieson from Donegal, Ireland. Rob C is also worth checking out, a great songwriter and virtuoso guitar player. The Plymouth music scene has influenced me greatly.
With many years of performing live, how do you feel live shows influence your songwriting?
We learn about songs playing them live and if we are conveying the feeling of a song effectively in a live environment we have a better chance of capturing it in the recording studio.
How do you stay motivated creatively, especially after decades of making music?
I stay inspired. I’ve always loved music, I remember finding some of my dad’s vinyl LPs in an old tea chest around the age of twelve. Those album’s included The Free Wheelin’ Bob Dylan which I played back to back. Abbey Road, The Beatles was in there too. I still love those records.
Where do you create your music—at home in a recording studio or with a producer? How do you finalize your work—self-mixed and mastered or through another source?
I’ve built a home studio using Logic and I self produce my records. The idea on “The Diamond Hill’ was to create a sound like we were all playing in the one room and I think we largely achieved that. That helps keep the sparkle. I record and mix myself but use an old friend who runs a commercial studio for mastering purposes. It’s useful to get fresh ears on it at that point.
What was the most challenging part of bringing this project to life from the initial idea to the final recording?
Writing good songs is always the key.
Which of your already released songs is the most important to you or had the most impact on your life or career, and why?
Probably the song ‘Where All The Music Comes From’ off the 2021 album Silver Linings has resonated the most.
Which musicians before you have helped shape the music industry and had an impact on your personal development?
Probably Dylan has inspired me the most. He has created his own genre of music and has always kept moving. His imagination is incredible.
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Al Shalliker’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
Now, click the links below to experience their incredible work firsthand!
Check out this latest release and listen to more of Al Shalliker on Spotify & YouTube.
