Craig Burletic Blends Groove and Country on New Tyler Childers Triple Album

Tyler Childers: Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?Tyler Childers has been blazing a new musical path by melding country, bluegrass, and folk music. His latest release, Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven?, furthers his tonal palette even more while focusing on the country gospel tradition. The triple albums feature eight songs divided into three parts – Hallelujah, Jubilee, and Joyful Noise – that present the music in different formats.

The Hallelujah portion features Childers in studio with his band, The Food Stamps, while Jubilee fills out the arrangements with strings, horns, and more orchestration. The Joyful Noise tracks are a real departure, instead creating instrumental versions of the songs that are closer to lo-fi hip hop than country music.

As a member of The Food Stamps, Craig Burletic’s bass lines help to dictate the feel throughout the changing sonic landscape. He does his fair share of laying down the root and fifth on “Way of the Triune God,” but much of the album sees him driving the harmony home with moving grooves akin to jazz or Motown classic. That would come as no surprise to his fans. In an interview with The Whizzbang Podcast, Burletic cited his favorite bassists as Ray Brown, James Jamerson, and Jaco Pastorius.

“I’m very fortunate to play classic, timeless material with [Tyler Childers],” he told host Brad Goodall. “I’ve always wanted to try to write a good song for myself, and I remember the first few times hearing Tyler play thinking, ‘Well, he knows how to do it. It’s definitely possible.’ I honestly love every song Tyler ever writes.”

Check out his sly fretless grooves on the Hallelujah version of “Purgatory,” including a stank-face-inducing solo at the 1:50 mark:

For a taste of his bass lines in the Joyful Noise portion of the album, listen to “Old Country Church”:

Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven? Is available now on CD, vinyl, and as a digital download (iTunes and Amazon MP3).

Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven? Track List:

Disc 1:

  1. Old Country Church [Hallelujah Version]
  2. Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven? [Hallelujah Version]
  3. Two Coats [Hallelujah Version]
  4. Purgatory [Hallelujah Version]
  5. Way of the Triune God [Hallelujah Version]
  6. Angel Band [Hallelujah Version]
  7. Jubilee [Hallelujah Version]
  8. Heart You’ve Been Tendin’ [Hallelujah Version]

Disc 2:

  1. Old Country Church [Jubilee Version]
  2. Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven? [Jubilee Version]
  3. Two Coats [Jubilee Version]
  4. Purgatory [Jubilee Version]
  5. Way of the Triune God [Jubilee Version]
  6. Angel Band [Jubilee Version]
  7. Jubilee [Jubilee Version]
  8. Heart You’ve Been Tendin’ [Jubilee Version]

Disc 3:

  1. Old Country Church [Joyful Noise Version]
  2. Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven? [Joyful Noise Version]
  3. Two Coats [Joyful Noise Version]
  4. Purgatory [Joyful Noise Version]
  5. Way of the Triune God [Joyful Noise Version]
  6. Angel Band [Joyful Noise Version]
  7. Jubilee [Joyful Noise Version]
  8. Heart You’ve Been Tendin’ [Joyful Noise Version]

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