'All Wood And Stones,' Due Out 9/13 on Aezra Records, Presents All-Time Classic Rolling Stones Songs as You've Never Heard Them Before

'All Wood And Stones,' Due Out 9/13 on Aezra Records, Presents All-Time Classic Rolling Stones Songs as You've Never Heard Them Before

Sung & Played by Ace Musicians John Batdorf and James Lee Stanley, the Album's Stripped-Down Acoustic Interpretations Dramatically Reinvent Eleven Jagger & Richards Masterpieces

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- With their forthcoming album "All Wood And Stones," veteran, virtuoso guitarists, vocalists and composers John Batdorf and James Lee Stanley have done something as classically simple as it is musically radical. They've taken eleven vintage Rolling Stones songs -- anthems that are practically part of our cultural birthright -- and reinvented them with coolly elegant new arrangements that form an inspired aural architecture for stripped-down and powerful acoustic versions of these timeless tracks.

Set for release September 13 -- just one week following the release of "A Bigger Bang," the Stones' own new album -- Aezra Records' "All Wood And Stones" adds one more sonic boom to the latest chapter in the legendary band's legacy. Batdorf and Stanley's aim was to give fans an alternative listening experience, and make the songs the album's stars. Indeed, the world famous compositions' lyrics and melodies are brought to the forefront in a completely new way via the stunning clarity of the duo's performances. "A lot of people have covered the Stones, but they do it trying to sound just like them. I envisioned it altogether differently," says Stanley of the project that he first conceived in 2003.

XM Satellite Radio was an enthusiastic early supporter of "All Wood And Stones," with the leading satellite service's program director George Taylor Morris giving initial advance pressings significant airplay. This fall, the album will be featured on one of XM's popular rock specialty shows, and Batdorf and Stanley will perform several selections live for XM listeners. Aezra's marketing campaign for the album also includes a short filmed piece -- four to five minutes long -- featuring performance and behind-the-scenes footage that will run as an interstitial programming feature on PBS Television stations nationwide during October.

"All Wood And Stones'" standout tracks include "Under My Thumb" and "Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby?", both featuring Batdorf on lead vocal and Stanley on lead guitar. "Satisfaction" spotlights James singing lead and Little Feat's Paul Barrere on slide guitar. Other guest appearances include former Monkee Peter Tork on lead guitar for "Let's Spend The Night Together," and ace player Laurence Juber doing the same for "Paint It Black." The Eagles' Timothy B. Schmit lends backing vocals on "As Tears Go By" and "Last Time." One of the most dramatic arrangements is Batdorf's for "19th Nervous Breakdown," an interpretation that embodies the "alternate universe" quality of "All Wood And Stone's" repertoire.

James Lee Stanley and John Batdorf have both been part of the Southern California music scene since its early '70s heyday. Stanley's enduring career began with a publishing deal with famed producer Bones Howe. His self-titled solo debut was released on RCA in 1974, and in 1979 Stanley formed his own label, Beachwood Recordings, on which he's released over 50 titles including 20 solo projects and two in tandem with Peter Tork. Batdorf's first brush with fame was with a band that was almost signed by Atlantic. His acoustic rock duo Batdorf & Rodney was later signed to that label by Chairman Ahmet Ertegun, and John will always remember auditioning for Ertegun in one room at the Beverly Hills Hotel at the same time the industry legend was signing the Rolling Stones in another. Batdorf was also in the rock band Silver, and has an acclaimed career as a film and television composer.

The two now-seasoned artists originally met back in the day at a popular rock 'n' roll club during Batdorf & Rodney's first wave of success, but had since lost touch over two decades ago. When James Lee Stanley was looking for a creative partner to bring "All Wood And Stones" to life, and someone recommended John Batdorf -- who he learned was living practically in his neighborhood -- he felt it was a collaboration that was fatefully meant to be.

Together, they brainstormed on all things Stones for close to a year, and their instincts and talents fuse beautifully on the project. "A major challenge," says Stanley, "was that the Stones don't write linearly. Their songs are often a string of vignettes, connected by subject. John and I are linear composers, so we had to get into that consciousness." That sense of discovery is evident in arrangements that respect the original song structures at the same time that they open them up to new possibilities. Far beyond merely "unplugged," "All Wood And Stones" is unprecedented. And undeniably a pleasure.

For more information and tour dates, visit allwoodandstones.com

Source: Aezra Records

CONTACT: Meghan Helsel, +1-626-585-9575, meghan@jensencom.com, or
Juanita Stephens, +1-404-494-9156, jsmediarel@aol.com, both for Aezra Records

Web site: http://www.allwoodandstones.com/

-------
Profile: intent