Samuel Aaron Reynolds, mastermind behind SPOONBEND, is a lifelong musician and writer hailing from Frenchport Ark., an unincorporated community on the Ouachita River, infested with Jesus, Alligator Gar and Cottonmouth Moccasins.
SPOONBEND was created with Southern music shaman / producer Jimbo Mathus and recorded at the famed Muscle Shoals Sound. Samuel Aaron Reynolds has taken 37 years of experience, the best and worst of what Arkansas can dish out, and created a powerful, emotionally charged & inspiring album that gives voice to the voiceless, those knocked down by society.
SPOONBEND’s First release, “Path of Destruction” cuts very close to the bone and should give hope to those who get dealt the bad hand and still ride triumphant.
Give SPOONBEND a chance. It may speak to and transform you with the power of real and authentic Southern music and storytelling...
The first album from SPOONBEND will be released on June 28th, 2024. In late 2022, Aaron Reynolds began convincing his mentor and “rock'n'role model” Jimbo Mathus to collaborate on a quality, meaningful album to showcase several songs he had written under Jimbo's tutelage. After a few months of planning, writing, recording demos, and plotting schemes, the production began.
“Jimbo called me and was like, ‘Hey, how would you like to cut this record in Alabama?’ and I had no idea what he had in mind right then", says Reynolds. "Jimbo's owned several great studios and has worked in some of the finest, so I trusted him already. But then, he said, ‘What about MUSCLE SHOALS, ALABAMA!?!’, and from there, it was on!”
Reynolds and Mathus recorded SPOONBEND in the famous Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama in the August heat of 2023. This studio served as the second Muscle Shoals Sound from 1978-1985, after the Swampers outgrew the block building at 3416 Jackson Highway. The Claude-Hill-designed studio was considered state-of-the-art, and several legendary albums were recorded there. Communique by Dire Straits, Bob Dylan's Slow Train Coming, Bob Seger's Against the Wind and John Prine's Storm Windows are just examples of the powerhouse albums cut in this facility.
SPOONBEND was engineered by Grant Walden, a dyed-in-the-wool Shoals engineer and talented musician who knows how real that Muscle Shoals Magic can be. Walden has worked with legends like Swamper David Hood, organist Spooner Oldham, SNL band alum and beehive queen Christine Ohlman, Denny Laine of Wings and The Moody Blues, among others. Walden's experience allowed the team to create a gritty, honest, and full-on sound for the album. Capturing the legendary room from many angles and utilizing a bit of experimentation, Walden fashioned a multi-dimensional hi-fi stereo tapestry for SPOONBEND. Walden also contributed instrumentation on the album, filling out 12-string guitar and Moog synth duties for Why Am I? and Snow Globe, respectively.
Reynolds says he was also very fortunate to bring on incredible multi-instrumentalist, Jared Vargas, of Little Rock, Ark. “Jared, man, what can I say about this guy?”, Reynolds said. “Jared came on as support for my Tombstone Mind album, playing keys. He has an ear like no other and Gospel chops for days. I wanted to encapsulate that Gospel sound in this music, because that's what I grew up on and I wanted this album to reflect my upbringings." Vargas contributed not only piano, but also bass guitar for the album.
Stay tuned to SPOONBEND on social media for release updates.
“Spoonbend has delivered an anthemic rock song brimming with emotion and swagger. Through visceral lyrics and unrestrained passion, he draws you deeply into his story.”
“Path of Destruction boasts a rich and dynamic sound that captures the spirit of the deep south. Melodically, the song blends classic rock energy with just a hint of twang, marrying several styles into an irresistible package.”
Photo credit: Kurt Lunsford
Photo credit: Kurt Lunsford
Photo credit: Kurt Lunsford
SPOONBEND - 180g Colored Vinyl Download |
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SPOONBEND - Cassette Download |
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