Vagabonds, Virgins & Misfits

by Mike Campbell & the Dirty Knobs, Mike Campbell

Overview

Mike Campbell made his bones as the lead guitarist for one of the great working bands in rock & roll, so it should come as no surprise that the Dirty Knobs -- the group that's become his main gig since the 2017 death of Tom Petty and the subsequent disbandment of the Heartbreakers -- are hitting a groove three albums into their career. Vagabonds, Virgins & Misfits arrives two years after External Combustion, which appeared two years after the group's 2020 debut, Wreckless Abandon. During those four years, the Dirty Knobs underwent some visible changes -- Campbell's name went on the marquee for External Combustion; original guitarist Jason Sinay was replaced by Chris Holt, who makes his debut with the band here, as does former Heartbreaker drummer Steve Ferrone -- which isn't turbulence so much as what a working band does: they persevere. On Vagabonds, Virgins & Misfits, the Dirty Knobs sound rougher and richer than they did before, expanding upon the roots they laid down on their first two records. All of Campbell's signatures remain in place, not just from the Dirty Knobs but from the Heartbreakers, too: the group graft psychedelia upon the heavy blues crunch that's their specialty. The slight studio trickery and willingness to float away on the Byrdsian chime of "Innocent Man" make Vagabonds a lighter, livelier affair than its predecessors, yet the Dirty Knobs still drive headfirst into down-and-dirty rock & roll: "So Alive" barrels forth on a heavy blues buzz, "Shake These Blues" stomps like a greasy "Jean Genie," while Chris Stapleton and Benmont Tench help "Don't Wait Up" boogie with abandon. Campbell does drift into serious territory, such as on the bruised ballad "Hell or High Water," but the fact that Vagabonds, Virgins & Misfits ends with the riotous drinking song "My Old Friends" is telling: ultimately, the Dirty Knobs are about having a good time, all the time, a dynamic that this record achieves. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	06/14/2024
Label:	BMG Rights Management
UPC:	4099964031546

Tracks

1. The Greatest
2. Angel of Mercy
3. Dare to Dream
4. Hands Are Tied
5. Hell or High Water
6. So Alive
7. Shake These Blues
8. Innocent Man
9. Don't Wait Up
10. My Old Friends
11. Amanda Lynn

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Dirty Knobs   Primary Artist
Mike Campbell   Primary Artist,Vocals,Vocals
Mike Campbell & the Dirty Knobs   Primary Artist
Daphne Chen   Viola,Violin
Graham Nash   Vocals,Featured Artist
Lance Morrison   Bass,Vocals (Background)
Stewart Cole   Trumpet
George Drakoulias   Percussion
Matt Laug   Vocals (Background),Drums,Percussion
Chris Holt   Vocals (Background),Keyboards
Benmont Tench   Piano,Featured Artist
Lucinda Williams   Vocals,Featured Artist
Gypsy Rose Lee   Viola,Violin
Chris Stapleton   Vocals,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Devon Taylor   Trombone,Trombone (Bass)
Randal Fisher   Sax (Tenor)
Phillip Whack   Sax (Baritone)
Philip Whack   Sax (Baritone)
Marcie   Vocals (Background)
Jolene Pearl   Viola,Violin
Calhoun   Viola,Violin
Steve Ferrone   Vocals (Background),Drums
Patrick Warren   Keyboards,Strings

Technical Credits

Chris Bellman   Engineer,Mastering
Martin Pradler   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Mike Campbell   Composer,Producer,Producer
Mikey Campbell   Composer
Todd Caldwell   Engineer,Vocal Producer
George Drakoulias   Composer,Producer
Chris Phelps   Photography
Miles Wintner   Package Design
Katie O'Leary   Management
Patrick Warren   Horn Arrangements