DETROIT, Mich. — Dennis Coffey’s first recording date was in the 1950s, when the guitarist was only 15. Years later, he would become a member of the famed Detroit session group the Funk Brothers, playing on hits like Edwin Starr’s “War” and laying down the solo on the Temptations’ “Ball of Confusion.” He also performed on tracks with Parliament/Funkadelic, Wilson Pickett, Chairmen of the Board, and produced Cold Fact for Rodriguez. That’s some resume!
But, even as a session musician, Coffey shines brightest playing live, as evidenced on the acclaimed One Night at Morey’s: 1968, a previously unissued set released last year.
DETROIT, Mich. — Dennis Coffey’s first recording date was in the 1950s, when the guitarist was only 15. Years later, he would become a member of the famed Detroit session group the Funk Brothers, playing on hits like Edwin Starr’s “War” and laying down the solo on the Temptations’ “Ball of Confusion.” He also performed on tracks with Parliament/Funkadelic, Wilson Pickett, Chairmen of the Board, and produced Cold Fact for Rodriguez. That’s some resume!
But, even as a session musician, Coffey shines brightest playing live, as evidenced on the acclaimed One Night at Morey’s: 1968, a previously unissued set released last year. Street date for Live at Baker’s is set for March 1, 2019 via Omnivore Recordings, available as CD and Digital.
Live at Baker’s brings Dennis’ performance legacy into this century, with Coffey and his band (two-timeDetroit Music Award winner Demetrius Nabors on keys, Grammy®-nominated Gaelynn McKinney on drums and bassist Damon Warmack) tearing through nine tracks, which include covers of Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Miles Davis, Jimmy Smith, and The Temptations — plus a searing version of Coffey’s own Top 10 1971 hit, “Scorpio,” one of the first songs by a white artist played on Soul Train. “Scorpio” has been sampled over 90 times, ensuring that its captivating qualities will be enjoyed for generations to come.
Live at Baker’s, recorded in 2006, features liner notes from author/journalist Bill Kopp and a new interview with Coffey.
According to Kopp’s notes: “It’s a rare electric guitarist who can serve up dazzling fretwork while simultaneously displaying good taste. Detroit-based guitarist Dennis Coffey is just such a musician. And he’s been doing it consistently — onstage and in countless recording sessions — since the middle of the 1950s.
“Coffey’s talents never fit neatly into a single genre; typical of a top session player, his style can be subtle one moment, slashing the next. He’s played everything from country and western to hard rock to blues to soul-jazz.”
Enter the club, get your groove on, and truly feel the soulful guitar magic of the legendary Dennis Coffey.
Coffey sums it up: “"It's great that this music recorded live in the D is finally getting heard!"
Track Listing:
1. Little Sunflower
2. Chicago Song
3. Scorpio
4. Moonlight In Vermont
5. Just My Imagination
6. The Sermon
7. All Blues
8. Way Back Home
9. Dink’s Blues