Texan guitarist Van Wilks will next month release 21st Century Blues, his first album in 10 years.
It includes his own take on Drive By Lover, a track he co-wrote with Billy Gibbons for ZZ Top’s 2012 album La Futura.
Wilks – who appears on ZZ Top’s 2014 DVD Live At Montreaux Jazz Festival – says: “We played around with the idea of years in South Austin. It was forgotten until Billy asked me if I could revive it, or even remember it.
“I sent him a few vignettes from a barely-working cassette, and a few hours later he played me the track from an LA studio. ‘Whip up some words,’ he said.”
Of his own version he adds: “Billy came out to the studio and we messed it up just right for my take.”
Gibbons says: “The playing technique Van possesses is remarkable – great style, and a very Texas-tasteful approach.”
21st Century Blues is officially released on January 29 via Texas 51 Records but it’s available now.
Van Wilks 21st Century Blues Tracklist
- Strange Girl
- Drive By Lover
- Golddigger
- Just Walk Away
- There’s a Sin in There Somewhere
- 21st Century Blues
- Who’s Foolin’ Who
- She Makes Me Crazy
- If I Were a Richman
- Can’t Stop Thinkin’
- Livin’ On Borrowed Time
- Midnight Crossing
