WOMAD

Gary Lucas

From United States

A world class guitar hero, a Grammy-nominated songwriter and composer, an international recording artist with over 20 acclaimed solo albums to date, and a soundtrack composer for film and television, GARY LUCAS is on the move in 2009. He was just cited as one of the "100 Greatest Living Guitarists" in Classic Rock (UK). His latest album, a collaboration with Indian vocalist Najma Akhtar, is currently #4 on the World Music Charts Europe. This summer Gary sold-out the Holland Festival in Amsterdam 2 nights running with a new live silent film score, made his performing debuts in South Korea and Latin America, recorded a new album with legendary Stones producer Andrew Loog Oldham in Bogota Colombia, and rocked festivals in France, Brazil and Spain.

Dubbed "The Thinking Man's Guitar Hero" by The New Yorker, "The world's most popular avant-rock guitarist" by The Independent (UK), "Legendary Leftfield guitarist" by The Guardian (UK), "Guitarist of 1000 Ideas" by The New York Times, "a true axe God" by Melody Maker, and "One of the five best guitarists in the world" by the national Czech newspaper Lidove Noviny, the British world music magazine fRoots recently described Gary Lucas as "without question, the most innovative and challenging guitarist playing today." Rolling Stone's David Fricke wrote: "Gary Lucas is one of the best and most original guitarists in America" in a review of Gary's latest avant-rock album "Coming Clean",. Gary was also selected by the editors of DownBeat Magazine as one of their "Hot 66 6-Stringers",

Gary Lucas tours the world relentlessly both solo and with several different ensembles, including his longtime band Gods and Monsters, whose ranks once included the late singer Jeff Buckley. Gary co- wrote two of Jeff Buckley's most famous hits, "Grace" and "Mojo Pin", which later became the title track and the opening track on Jeff's double platinum Sony album "Grace" - which MOJO magazine recently named the #1 Modern Classic Rock Album. Gary and Jeff's early collaborations can also be heard on the recent Jeff Buckley and Gary Lucas album "Songs to No One", which charted internationally with worldwide sales approaching 100,000. Other notable Lucas releases include "The Edge of Heaven", an album of Gary Lucas' lush arrangements of classic 1930's Chinese pop songs, which was #1 on the World Music charts and received rave reviews around the world from Rolling Stone to the Hong Kong Music Weekly. Gary's compilation of the best of his early band and solo work entitled "Operators are Standing By" garnered a 4-star MOJO review: "This album confirms Gary Lucas as THE psychedelic guitarist for the post-modern set." Most of Gary's extensive back catalog as well as his current releases were recently licensed for digital distribution by IODA, and are now available on iTunes and on digital portals worldwide.

Gary continues to lead his longtime NYC-based band Gods and Monsters, a super-group based around Gary's guitar playing, singing, and songwriting, featuring Billy Ficca (Television) and Ernie Brooks (Modern Lovers), along with Jason Candler and Joe Hendel They recently played a Live Nation booked 20th Anniversary Show in NYC, and have a new live DVD and studio album wrapped produced by Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads). Gary is also collaborating with the UK Indian vocalist Najma Akhtar, and their debut album "Rishte" was released this summer to 5 star reviews, with an upcoming tour in the works. Gary also plays with vocalist Dean Bowman in their spiritual roots project Chase the Devil, with an upcoming European tour and debut album release set. He also plays in electronica duo Wild Rumpus with DJ Cosmo, and they have released 3 successful 12 inch singles to date. Gary Lucas also co-leads Fast 'N' Bulbous, devoted to the music of avant--rock visionary Captain Beefheart,, who first put Gary Lucas on the musical map as a force to be reckoned with.
Gary Lucas makes his home in NYC
(Biography supplied by artist management 2009)

www.garylucas.com

Gary Lucas 20th Anniversary Show--"Fata Morgana" In HD

Gary Lucas's » Myspace Page