Spencer Mackenzie has released his cover of Rory Gallagher‘s ‘Don’t Know Where I’m Going’ as his latest single, and it’s the fourth track taken from the Canadian’s forthcoming album Empty Chairs.
Many artists have attempted to cover the late, great Irish guitar hero, but rarely do they take one of his acoustic numbers and electrify it. Originally appearing on Rory Gallagher‘s second solo album, Deuce (1971), the bareboned ragtime blues is transformed into a rocking, electric guitar chugging number by Spencer Mackenzie, with able arrangement contributions from fellow Canadian outfit The Commoners. By chance, I think, there are moments vocally that call to mind a raucous Lennon and McCartney when they briefly got their mojos back up on Apple’s rooftop.
‘Don’t Know Where I’m Going’ is available on digital platforms, and you can check out the YouTube audio below.
Empty Chairs will be released by Gypsy Soul Records on 20th February and has been produced by two-time Juno-nominated producer, mixer, engineer and Emmy Award-winning recording mixer Ross Hayes Citrullo, the guitarist with The Commoners.
Empty Chairs is a fusion of styles that blends Spencer‘s unique sound with the bold energy of renowned present day blues rockers, embodying a gritty, introspective style with electrifying guitar work. Producer Ross Hayes Citrullo commented:
“What we caught on this album is honesty and fire. Spencer’s playing is fearless, his voice wide open, and every take breathes like a live show you don’t want to end. Producing it was about chasing moments you can’t fake: tone that tells the truth, stories that cut deep, and performances that live in the room. It’s the blues, lit up with a rock edge, hitting with modern bite and a timeless feel.”
Empty Chairs features the tracks: ‘Empty Chairs’, ‘Trip’, ‘What You Do’, ‘Don’t Know Where I’m Going’, ‘Till I Get to You’, ‘Frozen Hearts’, ‘Helping Hands’, ‘Why’, ‘Shoot Me Down’, ‘Won’t Find Her’ and ‘Evil’.
With numerous Canadian, European, and US shows under his belt, some of Spencer Mackenzie‘s most notable performances include the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Festival d’été de Québec, Moulin Blues Ospel, Ribs & Blues Raalte and Kulturring Schöppingen Blues Festival, where he has shared stages with the likes of Walter Trout, Fantastic Negrito, Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton.
