A British rock titan and an acclaimed member of New York’s acting community walk into a recording studio … and produce one of 2017’s strongest and most compelling albums.This odd couple consists of multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald, a founding member of both King Crimson and Foreigner, and guitarist and lead vocalist Ted Zurkowski, co-founder of New York’s celebrated Shakespeare ensemble, Frog & Peach, and a long-time member of the world-famous Actors Studio.
Together, this unlikely new songwriting team conjured the album Bad Old World under the banner of their quartet, HONEY WEST.
Bad Old World is filled with memorable melodies and clever and sophisticated lyrics served on a bed of guitar-driven rock ‘n’ roll played by top-shelf musicians, including drummer Steve Holley, whose credits include Paul McCartney & Wings and many others, and McDonald’s son, Maxwell McDonald, on bass. The album also boasts a guest appearance by Graham Maby (Joe Jackson, They Might Be Giants) on bass (“Brand New Car,” “California,” “A Girl Called Life”). While it’s a modern sound stamped by Ian McDonald’s world-class musicianship and production, it also bears an instant familiarity, thanks to a sonic blueprint recalling such Brit-rock titans as The Move and Mott the Hoople.
Available as a limited edition, collectors’ release of the debut album from Honey West (Readout Records), featuring 12 newly-remastered versions of the original tracks on 180 gram audiophile vinyl, with band signatures, as well as liner and production notes from Ian McDonald.