As a child of the rural American West and owning lineage within the Chippewa Indian tribe, Rondeau’s narrative finds roots in the Turtle Mountains of North Dakota and draws inspiration from myriad musical influences including Hank Williams, The Flying Burrito Brothers and Townes Van Zandt. For this project, the Nashville-based Rondeau delivers a stalwart, timeless tribute to devotion, loss and atonement, all through the distinct voice of a modern country troubadour unafraid to explore life’s somber realities while illuminating subtle hope within.
Recorded in Nashville, TN at Bombshelter Studios, ‘Right On Time’ was produced by Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes, Hurray For The Riff Raff, Phosperescent) and features nine original tracks and one Blaze Foley cover tune. Rondeau enlisted help from a handful of notable Nashville and Austin players including Pete Weiss (keys/accordion); Gary Newcomb (guitars/pedal steel); Jeff Ratner (bass) and Aaron Shafer-Haiss (drums/mandolin). Margo Price, Alexis Saski and Vaughn Walters lend a hand on vocals.
“Andrija’s approach and attitude in the studio was very inspiring and encouraging,” says Rondeau. “He was always upbeat and positive from the time we walked in the door to the time we walked out, no matter how many hours we put in.
“There were no computers involved in the recording process. Andrija’s approach is to track to tape, which I’ve always done, but he also mixes to tape which I hadn’t done in the past.”
The album opener and title track kicks things off with a matter-of-factly written, honky tonk-fused ditty about the demise of a relationship followed by the sparsely beautiful “Get On With It.”
Other highlights on the album include “On And Off Again,” a piano laden track with gospel overtones and Price’s stirring vocals. Inspired by Rondeau’s father, “Man Torn Up” is a swaggering country rocker bookended by rollicking piano solos and searing guitar riffs.
“Washed Up Trouabdour” encapsulates Rondeau’s folk sensibilities with its plainspoken lyrics and soaring, atmospheric arrangements followed by album closer “Loving You” – a sublime and thoughtful take on a Blaze Foley classic.
“I tend to follow Harlan Howards advice and write about love,” says Rondeau. “It’s not all I write about but I start there. ‘Right on Time’ keeps in line with that sentiment ”
Fans will get a chance to see Rondeau perform songs from ‘Right On Time’ this Spring and Summer. He’ll tour extensively throughout the Southeast, Texas (including South By Southwest), and the Western United States along with select dates in the UK and Australia. Stay tuned for tour announcements and updates.
credits
released March 8, 2019
All songs written by me except Loving You which is a Blaze Foley song
Recorded at Bombshelter Studios in Nashville TN
Produced by Andrija Tokic
Engineered and Mixed by Andrija Tokic
Additional Engineering by Billy Bennett
Mastered by John Baldwin
Keys/Accordion – Pete Weiss
Guitars/Pedal Steel – Sweet Gary Newcomb
Bass – Jeff Ratner
Bass – Jon Estes on Keep Her On The Farm
Drums/Mandolin – Aaron Shafer-Haiss
Shaker – Andrija Tokic
Vocals – Alexis Saski, Margo Price, Vaughn Walters
Photos – Bill Reynolds
Album Design – Jonathan Violassi
Sometimes an album comes along and speaks to a part of you that was just becoming articulate, and as a small town Texas boy slowly growing to love the state (in spite of itself at times) this was exactly what I needed. mr_mcguffin
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