Over the past year we’ve seen some incredible virtual jams, both together and separate, from Testament/Metal Allegiance electric guitar master Alex Skolnick and Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante.
Now, the two monster metal musicians are back with another jam sure to impress –and also surprise – fans, tackling the Stevie Nicks/Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers classic, Stop Draggin' My Heart Around.
In addition to Skolnick on lead guitar and Benante on drums, the cover features Jennifer Cella (Trans-Siberian Orchestra) on vocals, Randy McStine (McStine & Minnemann) on vocals and rhythm guitar, Mark Menghi (Metal Allegiance & BPMD) on bass and Harry Waters (McNally Waters & Roger Waters) on keyboards.
As Menghi explains, “Here is our take on the Stevie Nicks classic (which also features Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers) Stop Draggin' My Heart Around (originally released by Stevie on her debut solo album, Bella Donna, in 1981).
“Alex, Charlie, Jen, Randy and myself had such a blast working on Rhiannon that we wanted to continue the momentum... I honestly don't remember how we settled on this tune, it kinda just happened where someone mentioned it and before we knew it, drum tracks were recorded.
“However, this time around we added the amazing Harry Waters of McNally Waters on Keyboards (getting that B3 Hammond organ sound). Harry has also toured in his father's band, Roger Waters, for the last 15 years, for The Wall and the Dark Side of the Moon tours, and most recently Desert Trip alongside the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Neil Young.
“It was a lot of fun recording my bass for this tune... after a little research (and right before I hit the record button), I learned that the original Heartbreakers bassist did NOT record on the original recording, in his place (for this one tune only) was the legendary Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn.
"I'm a huge fan of Booker T & The M.G.'s, all of Duck's recorded work with the Stax label and of course his stint as the bassist in the Blues Brothers. Not sure how I didn't know this, but sure glad I learned about it. All in all, another different avenue for me as a bassist and once again having some fun with some amazing friends and musicians.”
You can check out Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around above.
