Andy Timmons – Electric Truth (Album Review)

Melodic, diverse, emotional, masterful – these are qualities that lead to a satisfying guitar-oriented album. Although “Electric Truth” has a couple of guest vocals on it, this is primarily an instrumental six-string tour de force supported by an excellent studio band. Considering Andy Timmons’ varied career – starting with Danger Danger and continuing with everyone from Simon Phillips to Olivia Newton-John to Kip Winger to live-stream sensation – it should come as no surprise that “Electric Truth” is an impressive recording, heavy on the melody and engaging songwriting even when words are absent.

Key to the album’s sound is producer and guitarist extraordinaire Josh Smith. Smith set the tone by putting together the studio band, which includes drummer Lemar Carter (Joss Stone, Raphael Saadiq), bassist Travis Carlton (Larry Carlton, Robben Ford), and keyboardist Deron Johnson (Miles Davis, Stanley Clarke, Seal). In these more than capable hands, Timmons was able to lay down his guitar lines and let his compositions do the talking.

“EWF” kicks off the proceedings with a funky start, the cool-blues grooves hooking the listener immediately. There’s no horns present but the band sounds great in this Earth, Wind and Fire-inspired piece as they follow Timmons’ leads. Later on this energy is followed up with “Shuggie”, one of the most exciting rockers on the album which simply screams to be enjoyed live in concert, the band firing on all cylinders. On the bluesy “Johnny T” Smith himself enters the fray and the two guitarists jam towards the end of the track for a fun finale.

“Electric Truth” Album Artwork

However, it’s the album’s three ballads that truly showcase Timmons fretboard skills and tasty playing. “When Words Fail…” is loaded with emotional string bends and nimble fingering, a guitar-hero’s dream with a climactic second half that just keeps building. “Grace” carries a Stevie Ray Vaughan feel for most of the piece before closing in an ethereal haze with some added modal notes for color. But “One Last Time” might be the best of them all, a late-night smoky club piece with plenty bends, whammy and a satisfying “She’s So Heavy”-style break.

Just to mix things up there’s a couple of vocal numbers added. Corry Pertile is a great choice for the classy blues of “Say What You Want” and “Take Me With You” which closes the album out with a rocking jam. So convincing is the match of Pertile’s voice to Timmon’s tone, it’s easy to imagine a full album in this vein. Instead, they provide a welcome contrast to Timmon’s overabundance of strong guitar-slinging tunes. No matter how you slice it, “Electric Truth” comes up with the goods, a feast for bluesy guitar lovers.

Released By: Timstone Music
Release Date: April 1st, 2022
Genre:  Instrumental Guitar / Rock

  Band Members:

• Andy Timmons / Guitars
• Lemar Carter / Drums
• Travis Carlton / Bass
• Deron Johnson / Keyboards
• Corry Pertile / Vocals

“Electric Truth” Track List:

 1. EWF
 2. Apocryphal
 3. Johnnie T (featuring Josh Smith)
 4. When Words Fail
 5. Say What You Want
 6. Grace
 7. Shuggie
 8. One Last Time
 9. Take Me With You