Jerry Cantrell - Brighten (2021)

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, Matias Ambrogi-Torres Strings

"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 guys 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