Dropout and boogie with The Black Keys
Wow! Entries to our competition to win a CD copy of The Black Keys new album Dropout Boogie exceeded all expectations, showing just how popular they are.
Of course, we’d explained how keeping busy and keeping their fans satiated during the pandemic has been a priority for the Akron, Ohio formed American rock duo.
That firstly, the Black Keys released their 10th studio album Delta Kream, which celebrates the band’s roots and their early inspiration.
Secondly, that they had released the stunning 10th Anniversary Edition four CD set of their seventh studio album El Camino, which, among other things, featured a previously unreleased Live in Portland, Maine concert recording, and was a must have for those about to experience the magic of the Black Keys for the first time.
And then, to top it all off, and prove that good things come in threes — they drop their 11th album Dropout Boogie. We’ve given readers the chance to win the CD — now we have one vinyl LP version of the new album up for grabs.
Featuring the singles Wild Child and It Ain’t Over among it’s 10 stellar tracks, it’s got more than a few surprises in store for fans and, just like the anniversary edition of El Camino, is sure to draw in more than a few curious outsiders — especially when one of the artists guesting on the album, performing on track five, Good Love, is none other than legendary ZZ Top guitarist Billy F Gibbons.
As a point of interest Billy and ZZ Top have just been confirmed as the headline act at the forthcoming 2023 Summer Concert Tour — will they bust out Good Love as a nod of respect to The Black Keys? There’s only one way to find
out — be there. Tickets from www. greenstoneentertainment.co. nz.
Meanwhile, back to the Boogie. Bluesmen recognise their kin; and back when The Black Keys were years away from arena status and touring their third album Rubber Factory, Billy F Gibbons was in a small crowd watching them play. “He came to one of our first shows, when we were touring Rubber Factory,” The Keys’ Dan Auerbach recalled in an interview.
“He came to a show in New Mexico. There were 30 people in the audience. And one of them was Billy Gibbons. “He didn’t even say hello to us,” adds Auerbach.
“He came to the show, we were done, and he left. I didn’t see him. Everybody was like, ‘Man, Billy Gibbons was here.’ He told everybody he loved it.” Fast forward and the duo of Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney are recording their new album Dropout Boogie and Auerbach now has Gibbons on his phone’s contact list. “I knew he was in town so I sent him a text, very off-thecuff. I said, “If you’re free later, stop by, Pat and I are in the studio,” explains the guitarist/ vocalist.
“Everyone goes on and on about what special gauge strings Billy uses, his holy grail Les Paul. Man, whatever that guy picks up sounds like him. It’s awesome.”
Awesome is right. Pick up a copy and you’ll see.