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GRAMMY-Winning Artist John Hammond Signs to Palmetto Records

New Album ‘Timeless’ Set for Release on January 21, 2014

Renowned blues artist John Hammond is set to release a new album Timeless (January 21st / Palmetto), marking over 50 years since the start of his recording career (John Hammond, 1963). Recorded live, Timeless finds Hammond doing what he does best - performing solo acoustic before an enthusiastic audience at Chan's in Woonsocket, RI.

"John's sound is so compelling, complete, symmetrical and soulful with just his voice, guitar and harmonica, it is at first impossible to imagine improving it," says his longtime friend and collaborator Tom Waits. "He's a great force of nature. John sounds like a big train coming.  He chops them all down."

Timeless opens with "No One Can Forgive Me but My Baby", written by Waits especially for Hammond, followed by a rendition of John's own "Heartache Blues" and the country blues of Jimmy Rodgers' "Going Away Baby". John sources the venerable music of Lightnin' Hopkins ("Last Night"), Cliff Carlisle ("That Nasty Swing"), Skip James ("Hard Times"), Chuck Berry, Elmore James and more.

"John Hammond is a master," adds T Bone Burnett.  "He is a virtuoso. A conjurer... A modernist... John is in a very small circle of men with a guitar and a harmonica. Jimmy Reed, Howlin' Wolf, Bob Dylan. The guitar is an orchestra. He's sending messages. Storytelling. All mystery. Protection. The language goes out through the night."

Grammy winner John Hammond has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2011. "A blues legend...with a demeanor that belies his tear-it-up might before an audience" (The New York Times). Over the years, Hammond has released 35 albums. On occasion, he has had guest artists which have included Duane Allman, the Band, Charles Brown, Mike Bloomfield, JJ Cale, John Lee Hooker, Dr. John, G. Love, Charlie Musselwhite, Duke Robillard, Tom Waits, just to mention a few. A staple on the 60's Greenwich Village folk scene (and friend of Hendrix), Hammond is a commentator during the WNET fundraising special, PBS American Masters Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train A Comin'. His last release Rough and Tough was a 2010 Grammy nominee for Best Traditional Blues Album.