Billy Gibbons has released the official lyric video for his version of Muddy Waters’ "Standing Around Crying," from his upcoming second solo effort, The Big Bad Blues, due out September 21 via Concord Records. The song is the second track to be issued from the record, following the release of Gibbons’ take on another Waters classic, “Rollin’ and Tumblin’ ” in July.
Gibbons spoke to Ultimate Classic Rock, who premiered “Standing Around Crying,” about the song’s origins:
The Big Bad Blues follows Gibbons’ first solo album, 2015’s Afro-Cuban-flavored Perfectamundo.
“We successfully made our way through those uncharted waters with the Cubano flavor of Perfectamundo and completed the journey,” Gibbons said in a statement. “The shift back to the blues is a natural. It’s something which our followers can enjoy with the satisfaction of experiencing the roots tradition and, at the same time, feeling the richness of stretching the art form.”
Noting the blues' lasting influence on his guitar sound, he said “There’s something very primordial within the art form. Nobody gets away from the infectious allure of those straight-ahead licks!”
The Big Bad Blues features Joe Hardy on bass, former Guns N' Roses drummer Matt Sorum behind the kit, Austin Hanks on guitar and James Harman—plus Gibbons himself—on harmonica.
The Big Bad Blues is available for preorder right here.
Track listing (all songs by Billy F Gibbons except where noted):
