By Cornbread

Doyle Bramhall II – Vocals & Guitars
Charlie Sexton – Vocals & Guitars
Chris Layton – Drums
Tommy Shannon – Bass

The foundation of the Arc Angels was laid at the Austin Rehearsal Center (ARC) which so aptly gave them a name. There, Sexton had a writing room to work on his next solo album, Bramhall was working under a development deal with Geffen Records, and Layton had a drum room where he would often practice. The initial idea had been quite simple; create a band that can jam when people happened to be in town or not on tour with Stevie Ray Vaughan. But Vaughan’s death changed everything. When the foursome came together, press were quick to dub them a “Texas supergroup,” but the guys shunned that tag. The band was purely a musical outlet and inspiration to all of them.

Nearly eight years after headlining the Austin City Limits Festival, the Arcangels have reunited and released Arcangels: Living in a Dream, a DVD/CD featuring their Live at Stubbs performance along with three new studio tracks and a full length Documentary. Prior to that they each followed their individual paths from there. Bramhall went on to solo projects as well as touring with Roger Waters and Eric Clapton's band. Sexton made two critically acclaimed solo albums, toured with Bob Dylan, and has produced numerous high profile artist projects. Meanwhile, Layton recorded three albums with the Texas soul quintet Storyville and has backed such artists as Buddy Guy and John Mayer. Shannon, besides a Double Trouble album with Layton and a laundry list of greats, he’s been on tour with “Experience Hendrix” and Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s 10 Days.

Disc 1: Live at Stubb’s
1. Paradise Café
2. Carry Me On
3. The Famous Jane
4. Good Time
5. She’s Alright
6. Always Believed In You
7. Sent By Angels
8. Crave and Wonder
9. Nadine
10. See What Tomorrow Brings
11. Shape I’m In
12. Living In A Dream
13. Too Many Ways To Fall

Disc 2: Live DVD Plus
- Live at Stubb’s Concert
- Documentary
- Antoine’s Tribute

Bonus Disc:
1. Crave and Wonder (New Studio Track)
2. What I’m Looking For (New Studio Track)
3. Too Many People (New Studio Track)
4. Spanish Moon (Live at Antoine’s)

The band’s 1992 debut album release, Arc Angels, on Geffen Records met with much critical acclaim and managed to break onto the Billboard Top 200 chart. The sound was unique -- raw and intense rock and roll steeped in the roots of Texas blues, but still radio-friendly and widely appealing. Is it blues? No. It’s more southern flavored rock that’s solid, far from mainstream with depth and intensity…. For that I really enjoyed the music. Oh and did I mention the rhythm section is great setting the foundation for two great guitar players…. A perfect recipe.

This was inspirational and different in that it was far from the very popular twelve bars that overpopulate our mailbox here at STLBlues. For me it was new, had an edge and a hard-hittin’ guitar bite. This gets two thumbs up!

Peace and Love
Peter 'Cornbread' Cohen, CBP
~ Cornbread@STLBlues.net