JERRY CANTRELL – Brighten (2021)

Shortly after his December 2019 LA shows, Jerry Cantrell entered the studio to begin work on Brighten. The album was produced by Cantrell, Tyler Bates, and co-produced by engineer Paul Figueroa.

The cast of players on Brighten is:
Jerry Cantrell – Guitar, bass, vocals, keys
Greg Puciato – Background vocals
Duff McKagan – Bass
Gil Sharone – Drums
Abe Laboriel Jr. – Drums
Tyler Bates – Strings, percussion, guitar
Vincent Jones – Piano, keys, & strings
Jordan Lewis – Piano
Michael Rozon – Pedal steel
Lola Bates – Background vocals

“It was like an old school seventies record where a multitude of musicians played so it’s not a set band. I got to make music with a bunch of people I never had before, along with friends like Duff & Tyler & Gil who I’ve worked with previously. I’ve always been a fan of bands that were heavy on harmony; I’ve been lucky enough to have that relationship with Layne Staley and now William DuVall. Greg and I worked together in a similar fashion and blended nicely. We were creating and changing this thing all the way up until the end. It took way longer than I wanted it to, but it became an even better record. This record offers cleaner glimpses of what I grew up on, listened to, and am still inspired by today. I was raised by two country fans, so I think you can hear that energy in there as well. This album has prominent roles for keys, strings, and pedal steel, which I haven’t incorporated in such a heavy fashion before.” – Jerry Cantrell