Gerry Beckley

Description

Gerry Beckley explains that he chose his name as the title of his 10th solo album for a pragmatic reason. "No title seemed to stand out, and I've never done a self-titled album, so I thought, 'OK, this could be the one,'" he says with a small laugh. True to form, the album contains 12 exceptional tracks, including the first single "Crazy," the most self-proclaimed autobiographical song "Well Worn Shoes," and the soulful "Red and Blue," which unambiguously reveals its subject. Produced, arranged, recorded, and mixed by Gerry and his friend Jeff Larson, Gerry also plays most of the instruments on the album. "I tend to layer things," explains Beckley. He cites influences like Tom Petty's "Wildflowers" and, more recently, The 1975. "I revisited the Wall of Sound style, using more echoes and amplifying it. It may not sound like that at first, but putting on headphones and listening, you start to notice small details that make the songs work." He adds that the chemistry between Larson and him is undeniable. Gerry Beckley continues a musical path that is now in its seventh decade and, in his mind, an ongoing conversation between a songwriter and his audience.