Christone Kingfish Ingram - 662
23-10-2021
Christone "Kingfish" Ingram (born January 19, 1999) is an American blues guitarist and singer from Clarksdale, Mississippi, United States, who became a well-known performer as a teenager. His debut album, "Kingfish", was released in May 2019. In addition to his own album, musicians he has recorded with include Eric Gales, Buddy Guy and Keb Mo. He has shared the stage with well-known blues artists and younger blues musicians such as the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Samantha Fish, Bob Margolin, Eric Gales, Mr sipp, Rick Derringer, Guitar Shorty and Buddy Guy. One of his earliest influences is Muddy Waters. Since the release of "Kingfish", his Grammy-nominated 2019 Alligator Records debut, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Christone "Kingfish" Ingram has quickly become the defining blues voice of his generation. From his hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi to stages around the world, the now 22-year-old has already headlined two national tours and performed with friends including Vampire Weekend, Jason Isbell and Buddy Guy (with whom he appeared on Austin City Limits). He was interviewed by Sir Elton John on his Apple Music podcast, 'Rocket Hour', and recently released a duet with Bootsy Collins. In January 2021, Ingram was simultaneously on the covers of both Guitar World and DownBeat magazines, and graced the cover of Living Blues in late 2020. Rolling Stone declared, "Kingfish is one of the most exciting young guitarists in years, with a sound that encompasses B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix and Prince." In the two years since "Kingfish" was released, there have been major events that have altered his life both personally and professionally. "There has been much change, happiness and despair in my life," Ingram says of his last two years. Right as his career was taking off, he lost his mother and biggest champion, the late Princess Pride Ingram. Christone toured for 13 months non-stop, until the pandemic halted live performances and forced him to take stock. As he was thinking about the man he was becoming and the new directions his life was taking, he began writing songs for his next album, "662". The number "662" is the telephone area code for Ingram's northern Mississippi home, and it first came into use the same year he was born,1999. "The world was introduced to me with Kingfish," Ingram says of his chart-topping debut. "Now with 662, I want the world to hear and meet a different, more personal side of me." The album, recorded in Nashville and co-written and produced (as was Kingfish) by Grammy-winner Tom Hambridge, features 13 songs displaying many sides of Ingram's dynamic personality, as well as his one-of-a-kind guitar and vocal skills. According to Ingram, "662 is a direct reflection of my growth as a musician, a songwriter, a bandleader, and as a young man. This album was written during the pandemic, shortly after I returned home from a whirlwind year and a half of touring and promoting Kingfish. It was an incredible time of change and growth, moments both good and bad, and I am a better and stronger person for it." 22-year-old blues phenomenon Christone "Kingfish" Ingram blows past all expectations on his brand new Alligator Records release "662". The record drops on July 23rd, 2021 and shows the young guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter growing and maturing in a very public way. Kingfish again worked with Grammy-winning producer Tom Hambridge on the set and the pair created a pumped-up and profound batch of new music that's sure to be another important chapter in Ingram's already-illustrious story. Named for the area code of his hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi, "662" builds on Ingram's roots in the Delta but also includes the more worldly perspectives of a young adult who has spent the last few years on the road meeting life head-on. ""662" is an album that sits on the legacy and influence my blues music elders have instilled in me," he reveals, "but is also my unique, personal story." Christone "Kingfish" Ingram is the most lauded new blues artist of the last few years. He first appeared as a YouTube sensation in his mid-teens and caused quite a commotion. His absolutely wailing guitar style was wise beyond his age, as were his expressive vocals, and blues fans started to get wise to this compelling and youthful artist who was creating the future of his genre in real time. His debut album Kingfish came out two years ago and led to a Grammy nomination, several Blues Music and Living Blues Awards, and an incredible amount of record sales. He's been praised by Buddy Guy, Rolling Stone, and NPR and is considered by many to be a generational talent who is on the vanguard of American guitar music. Ingram's skills and impact rival any blues master you'd care to name and he's literally just getting started. Kingfish immediately gets his party going with his title track "662." It's a scalding blues/rock track about the place he comes from and hits like a speeding train. His energy is unchartable and he lets every bit of it fly here without ever sacrificing phrasing for velocity. His vocals are warm and riveting and display the tone and confidence of the seasoned artist he's becoming. It's a positively blasting cut that's impossible to deny. Next up is "She Calls Me Kingfish," a strutting blues number that once again tells of the eternal difficulties of love. Ingram's voice has a huge presence that cuts right through his hard-jamming band without ever faltering and his guitar playing sets the roof on fire. "Long Distance Woman" is a driving mid-speed rocker with a Hendrix vibe and a strong modern feel. Kingfish practically tears the strings off of his guitar on the riff and in his solos and presents a dramatic, intimidating attitude that lets him stand tall next to any guitarist in the business. He attacks every note he plays with his entire self and puts down an entrancing sound that never lacks focus or confidence. A haunting, moody slow jam, "Another Life Goes By" takes on the ongoing American issues of gun violence and hatred in a very human way. Ingram speaks his mind over a hip hop-informed beat and uses a clean, reverberated guitar tone that drips with atmosphere. His lyrics are fearless and speak with a fundamental sense of right and wrong, a rare feat for such a youthful artist. This type of song that deals with modern problems and uses modern sounds is, indeed, the future of blues music and will remain relevant for decades to come. "My Bad" is a thumping, hip-shaking song with its own identity and cliche-busting style. It's the sound of Ingram expanding into the musician he's inevitably going to be right in front of us all and his casual brilliance points to a limitless future. Other amazing moments on "662" include "I Got To See You," "Something In The Dirt," and the soulful bonus track "Rock & Roll" written for his late mother. Christone "Kingfish" Ingram is, by all indications, a bottomless well of music and 662 is required listening for every blues lover out there. Spin it once and you'll understand. The defining blues voice of his generation releases the eagerly-anticipated follow-up to his Grammy-nominated debut, 2019's "Kingfish". "662" (the area code of his Clarksdale stomping grounds) is a powerful and personal album, a fiery coming-of-age record. The lyrics reflect Ingram's newfound maturity and how your roots inspire where you're heading. Musically, the record delivers a heaping helping of the deep, visceral Ingram guitar magic his fans love, fueling a combustible mix of molten blues rock, down home shuffles and soulful grooves.
1 662 3:182 She Calls Me Kingfish 3:13
3 Long Distance Woman 3:29
4 Another Life Goes By 4:21
5 Not Gonna Lie 3:02
6 Too Young To Remember 3:52
7 You're Already Gone 3:27
8 My Bad 3:37
9 That's All It Takes 4:46
10 I Got To See You 3:39
11 Your Time Is Gonna Come 5:13
12 That's What You Do 3:24
13 Something In The Dirt 3:34
14 Rock & Roll (Bonus Track) 4:40
Backing Vocals - Brooke Stephenson (track : 14)
Bass - Glenn Worf (tracks: 1,2,4,9), Tommy MacDonald (tracks : 3,5,6,7,8,10,11,12,13)
Drums, Bass, Piano, Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar, Producer - Nick Goldston (track : 14)
Guitar - Kenny Greenberg (tracks : 1,2,4,9), Robert Britt (tracks : 3,5,7,10)
Guitar, Vocals - Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
Piano, Electric Organ, Electric Piano - Marty Sammon
Producer, Drums, Chimes, Backing Vocals, Mixed By, Mastered By - Tom Hambridge
Saxophone - Max Abrams (track : 9)
Trumpet - Julio Diaz (track : 9)
