Peter Parcek Sets May Album Release

The new album was produced by Ted Drozdowski and features special guest appearances by legendary keyboardist Al Kooper and guitarist Ronnie Earl. Other guests include bassist Marty Ballou, mandolinist Jimmy Ryan and violinist Dan Kellar.

Considered one of New England's best kept secrets, virtuoso guitarist Peter Parcek presents to the world an amazing calling card with The Mathematics of Love, weaving beautiful mosaics of sound on the album that reflect his interests in blues, rock, jazz, folk and country music.

As someone who was lucky enough to experience the British blues explosion first hand while living in London in the late 1960s, Parcek got a chance to see Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and especially Peter Green in the clubs, making a lasting impression on the young guitar player. Parcek soon became a Peter Green fanatic, and he acknowledges his mentor with a smoking take of Green's early Fleetwood Mac classic, "Show Biz Blues," which kicks-off the new album.

Elsewhere, Parcek dazzles the ears exploring the deepest roots of American roots music, covering songs by Mississippi Hill Country legend Jessie Mae Hemphill ("Lord Help the Poor and Needy"), seminal bluesman Kokomo Arnold ("Kokomo Me Baby") and the great Ray Charles ("Busted"), which features special guest Al Kooper on organ. Other covers includes Lucinda Williams' "Get Right with God" and Cousin Joe Pleasant's "Evolution."

On Parcek's originals, he demonstrates not only a wonderful depth of soul in his approach to the songs, but also a knack for a variety of sounds, as heard on the existentially funky instrumental, "Rollin' with Zah," which showcases his improvisational playing; or "New Year's Eve," a track with guest Ronnie Earl originally recorded for his first limited-release album and given a special remix here; or the title track, a perfect blend of acoustic and electric guitars that meet in a perfect center.

"My first album was called Evolution, but this album really is an evolution for me," explains Peter. "It's the most focused, emotionally complex and complete artistic statement I've made under my own name."

Born and raised in Middletown, Connecticut, Parcek relocated to London after graduating high school. He originally played harmonica in an English band and got a chance to play venues like the famed Marquee Club, even sharing a bill with Pink Floyd, before returning to the States and continuing his blues education watching artists like Skip James, Muddy Waters Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Guy.

After moving to Massachusetts, he began playing the guitar in earnest, joining his first serious band, Boston's Nine Below Zero, which led to his playing on recordings with piano legend Pinetop Perkins, and a stint as his touring bandleader. In 2002, Peter's trio won the represented the Boston Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, a feat he repeated two years later with his duo, Forty Four.

With his current band, Peter Parcek 3, the talented guitarist will support the release of The Mathematics of Love with regional and later national touring. A release party for the new album is already scheduled for Boston's House of Blues on May 27, followed by another release party show at Strange Brew in Manchester, NH.

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