Los Angeles-based CMH Records will release a new album, Pickin' on the Biggest Hits of the 1980s: Volume 2, on February 24.
The album, which represents the second time the "Pickin' On" crew covered Eighties hits, features a brand-new bluegrass interpretation of Toto's 1982 hit "Africa," plus 11 more songs. You can check out our exclusive premiere of "Africa" below.
The collection was produced by Brad Davis, who is known in bluegrass circles for his "double down up" guitar technique, not to mention his songwriting, vocals and producing skills. He has worked with Willie Nelson, Earl Scruggs, Emmylou Harris, Marty Stuart, Dwight Yoakam, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash and many more.
And speaking of big names, Toto's Steve Lukather is a fan of Davis' version of "Africa."
"Of all the renditions of our song—and there are many—Brad Davis has taken it to a place I never expected in the coolest way," Lukather says.
"I'm honored to be the producer of the CMH bluegrass tribute to the Eighties," Davis adds. "I felt like these songs had such an impact on our generation that the only way to create a bluegrass arrangement was to use the original track as my pilot for the 'grass version. I fell in love with these songs years ago, and I hope this tribute will cause everyone to fall in love again.”
Besides Davis, who sings and plays acoustic rhythm and lead guitars, banjo, mandolin and acoustic bass on the album, Pickin' on the Biggest Hits of the 1980s: Volume 2 also features performances by vocalists Makenzie Rains and Lou Ann Price.
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"Africa" will be available as an instant-grat track via iTunes starting Friday, February 10. Head here for more information.
Damian is Editor-in-Chief of Guitar World magazine. In past lives, he was GW’s managing editor and online managing editor. He's written liner notes for major-label releases, including Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'The Complete Epic Recordings Collection' (Sony Legacy) and has interviewed everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Kevin Bacon (with a few memorable Eric Clapton chats thrown into the mix). Damian, a former member of Brooklyn's The Gas House Gorillas, was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron, a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums. He now plays in two NYC-area bands.
