“I wanted to make it for a very long time” he says of
his “hell of an introduction for those looking for their next favorite modern
soul act.” — Glide
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Chris J Norwood as photographed by Joseph Brewster
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Chris J
Norwood has left behind his acoustic
guitar to make the album of his dreams. He is now a bandleader, commanding a Stax-inspired ensemble cutting tracks
live on the studio floor in the same building where Willie Nelson made Red Headed Stranger.
“I have wanted to make this record for a long time,” Norwood says about a passion so strong,
he parted ways with his record label to be able to see his vision through. “If
you were to come over on a Saturday afternoon, Otis Redding is what is playing on the stereo.”
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Chris J Norwood & The Knockdown Dragout | “The Knockdown Dragout”
“Swaggery and enjoyable... Bluesy glory characterizes
this song from the start. Playing together in the woodsy studio helps bolster
this song’s Stax-style intent.” — Americana Highways
“A hell of an introduction for those looking for their
next favorite modern soul act... features a full ensemble horn section, feisty
guitar, and thick, funky organ playing to complement Norwood’s smoothly flowing
vocals.” — Glide Magazine
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About | “The Knockdown Dragout”
How did this track come together? Watch the latest episode of Chris J Norwood’s “Breaking It Down” series for the answers!
“We had a lot of fun and that is something I wanted to
showcase with the music
video for ‘The Knockdown Dragout.’
Joseph Brewster did a fantastic job
capturing what it was like recording this album; the fun and the joy.
“When I first started dreaming up this project, it was
important to me that when it came time to record that we do it in the same way
my favorite Stax and Motown records were recorded. All the musicians playing
together in a great sounding room with vintage gear.
“Audio Dallas
immediately came to mind and was the perfect studio for us. It’s got such a
storied history, with so many great records made there. It looks virtually the
same as it did in the 70s. It’s like stepping back in time.
“In a lot of ways the studio was like another member
of the band. There’s a reason why records that are made this way sound the way
they do. There’s a joy and a camaraderie and a vibe when you make music with
your friends.” — Chris J Norwood
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Chris J Norwood & The Knockdown
Dragout
The
Knockdown Dragout
Feb. 9, 2024
(Gastonwood Music)
Track Listing:
01. Introducing...
03. The Cheap Seats
04. Dancing In The Kitchen
05. Run Rosie Run
06. I Want It All
07. Love Me Back To Life
09. The GOAT
10. Got To Get Back To Texas
11. Darling Don’t Leave
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Chris J Norwood & The Knockdown Dragout | About
If the photographic evidence accompanying The
Knockdown Dragout (Gastonwood
Music, Feb. 9, 2024) is any
indication, then Chris J Norwood is
a beaten man.
Beaten, maybe… But not out!
As Norwood
sings on “The Knockdown Dragout” —
the ensemble, album, and first single all share the same name — he is a
fighter:
I know it don’t look good
They got me up against the ropes
I ain’t no light weight kid
I got the fight, the will, the hope
The “will” and “hope” part comes in as the
Dallas-based songwriter — and now bandleader, commanding a Stax-inspired ensemble cutting tracks live on the studio floor in
the same building where Willie Nelson
made Red
Headed Stranger — leaves behind his acoustic guitar to make the album
of his dreams.
“I have wanted to make this record for a long time,” Norwood says about a passion so strong,
he parted ways with his record label to be able to see his vision through. “If
you were to come over on a Saturday afternoon, Otis Redding is what is playing on the stereo.”
The
Knockdown Dragout cover the Redding classic “Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa (Sad Song)” in a joyous rendition that sits
perfectly alongside Norwood’s
originals.
“I had to
include an Otis cover,” Norwood explains. You can’t help but
feel good, and that’s what I love about soul music. Even the sad songs make you
dance.”
Norwood had become tired of sadness.
“I’m disillusioned with the ‘sad bastard’ scene of
singer-songwriters that I found myself a part of,” he admits. After releasing
two records that reckoned with darkness and personal tragedy, Norwood wanted to make an album that
was “just fun.”
A “knockdown dragout” is a phrase I used to hear my
mother use,” he explains of the album’s statement of purpose, which also
addresses his relationship with the music industry. “It’s essentially a fight
between two people that is particularly bad.” Norwood’s decision to leave his label to make this album was
actually amicable, but even civil closure smarts.
The same goes for Norwood’s
surprise genre switch-up.
“I wanted to write some songs that I could actually
sing to Carrie and dance in the
kitchen to,” he says, alluding to one of
the album’s standout tracks, “Dancing In
The Kitchen,” a love song to Norwood’s
wife.
“Finally! Songs that are about me!” Carrie Norwood, who also
appears on the record as one-half of the background vocal duo, The Knockouts, jokes.
“Being
a Knockout comes with attitude and
sass,” she says. “The world is pretty crazy right now, but there is still love
and goodness to sing about.”
After listening to the celebratory songs on The
Knockdown Dragout, Norwood’s “will” and “hope” win this bout
by unanimous decision.
The Knockdown Dragout by Chris J
Norwood & The Knockdown Dragout arrives Feb. 9, 2024 via Gastonwood
Music.
Chris J Norwood is
available for interviews. Contact Josh Bloom
at Fanatic for more information.
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Chris J Norwood | Links
