Nashville, TN. (Top40 Charts/ BHM Productions) - Likened by American Songwriter as being 'in the same league as
Bruce Springsteen for his meaty words, compelling voice and tracks that have more groove than a vintage vinyl record,' world-class singer, songwriter, guitarist, Mark Selby, is set to release his newest album, Nine Pound Hammer, in the fall of 2008. The highly blues-influenced roots-rock album is the collaborative effort of Selby, his wife and award-winning songwriter, Tia Sillers, and five-time Grammy award-winning producer Brent Maher.
Nine Pound Hammer follows Selby's internationally acclaimed releases on the Vanguard and ZYX/Pepper Cake labels. Rave reviews are already pouring in from European publications such as Blues News, which noted, 'the songs live and breathe and convey a whole lot of freshness, power and energy�..absolutely the best Selby has created so far.' Selby is also well known for delivering career-propelling hits for other artists and has written more than 10 Top 40 singles and four No 1 hits, including the Dixie Chicks' Grammy-Winning "There's Your Trouble" and Kenny Wayne Shepherd's rock smash, "Blue On Black.'
Selby and his Nashville-based band return to the powerful, bluesy and hard-biting roots-rock sound they began with years ago on Nine Pound Hammer. The album was recorded in just a week and several of the final mixes on the album are exactly what went down on the original take - raw emotions and gritty guitar riffs.
From scorching rockers like 'Dangerous Game,' 'Leveler Reveler,' and 'Tell the Truth" (co-written with Kenny Wayne Shepherd); to the sexy, gritty groove in the title track, 'Nine Pound Hammer,' and 'I Stole Your Love,' and some deep blues-tinged storytelling in the songs 'Buck Fifty and a Flat-Head Ford' and 'A Good Friend to the Blues,' Nine Pound Hammer delivers on all levels. Also, you can't help but move when you hear the feel-good funk of 'I Should Know Better,' or be moved by the vibiness of 'Cold One Closin' In,' 'Baby, I Do,' and 'Sure Hope It Ain't a Train'. There's plenty of Selby's patented soulful vocals and searing guitar work throughout, but it's the closing track, 'Guitar in the Rain,' that is undoubtedly the most powerful, passionate performance of Mark Selby's career.
Selby has been hailed as an 'electrifying performer' (Blues Review) and has shared the stage with legends like B.B. King, Jeff Beck, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Robert Cray, John Mayer, and many more. 'We're itching to play this stuff live!' says Selby of his upcoming U.S. Tour dates. Selby is slated to co-headline Copper Mountain Colorado's Guitar Town Festival with Jimmy Vaughn and other guitar greats August 8-10, and will also open for John Fogerty on August 30 at the same location. Selby recently treated his European fans to a preview of Nine Pound Hammer on his sold-out tour of Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
Nine Pound Hammer will be released in the fall of 2008. Distributed worldwide through Koch, the album is also available at online outlets as well on his website, www.markselby.com
