Garland Jeffreys

Garland Jeffreys has been making provocative, personally charged urban rock & roll since the late 1960s. 14 Steps To Harlem, the latest album by this “beloved rock-soul-reggae singer-songwriter” (New York Times) released April 28 on his own Luna Park Records. Produced by James Maddock with band members Mark Bosch, Charly Roth, Brian Stanley and Tom Curiano, guest spots by Brian Mitchell and Ben Stivers, a gorgeous duet with daughter Savannah and a radiant violin solo by Laurie Anderson, this record delivers what fans have come to expect from Jeffreys: edgy immediacy and literate, emotionally raw lyrics coupled with a still supple voice capable of singing in a practically limitless number of styles. Jeffreys has long held the respect of his peers and the breadth of contributors to his recordings and performances reflect that, as well as an ahead of his time penchant for musical genre-bending: Dr. John, The E Street Band, John Cale, The Rumour, James Taylor, Phoebe Snow, Sly & Robbie, Sonny Rollins, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Bruce Springsteen, U2 and Lou Reed and many more have recorded and performed with him. With a string of critically acclaimed records and radio hits including “Wild in the Streets” and his cover of the garage rock classic “96 Tears” it’s a testament to the diversity of his music that his songs have been covered by hardcore punk legends The Circle Jerks (whose version of “Wild” is a skater anthem), psych-folkies Vetiver and jazz trumpeter Randy Brecker.