The songwriting of Southern rock ‘n’ roll provocateur Tav Falco is celebrated on his 14th studio album, Desire on Ice. With basic tracks recorded at Sam Phillips Recording Services in Memphis, Tennessee, Desire on Ice was created over an 18-month period by Falco and his longtime producer and musical partner, Mario Monterosso. Undoubtedly the most ambitious project in the artist’s 40-plus-year career, Desire on Ice features an astonishing lineup of all-star talent who are sympatico with his singular flair and vision.
The lineup of featured players on Desire on Ice is impressive. The sessions were anchored by the members of Falco’s current touring band, Panther Burns: guitarist Mario Monterosso, bassist Giuseppe Sangirardi, and drummer Walter Brunetti. The guests include Ann Magnuson, Nicole Atkins, Jolie Holland, Bobby Gillespie, Pete Molinari, Kid Congo Powers, Jon Spencer, Rev. Horton Heat, Jimmy Rip, Chris Spedding, Boz Boorer, Richard Barone, Eddie Angel, Bubba Feathers, Chris Maxwell, Charlie Musselwhite, Mirko Dettori, Kai Eric, Rene Coman, Bertrand Burgulat, Alex Greene, Michael Perry Allen, Jim Sclavunos, and Ross Johnson, among others. Memphis writer and longtime Panther Burns confidante Robert Gordon has contributed new liner notes for the release.
1. Prologue (Spoken word by Kid Congo Powers; guitar by Rev. Horton Heat)
2. Gentleman in Black (Vocal by Tav Falco; guitar by Jimmy Rip)
3. Cuban Rebel Girl (Vocal by Tav Falco; guitar by Chris Spedding; blues harp by Charles Musselwhite
4. Sympathy for Mata Hari (Vocals by Tav Falco & Jon Spencer)
5. Vampire from Havana (Vocals by Tav Falco & Ann Magnuson; guitar by Bubba Feathers)
6. Doomsday Baby (Vocals by Tav Falco & Bobby Gillespie; drums by Jim Sclavunos)
7. Crying for More (Vocals by Tav Falco & Nicole Atkins; guitar by Richard Barone)
8. The Ballad of Rue de la Lune (Vocals by Tav Falco & Pete Molinari; guitar by Boz Boorer)
9. Garden of the Medicis (Vocal by Tav Falco; piano by Bertrand Burgulat)
10. Lady from Shanghai (Vocal by Tav Falco; bass by Rene Coman; piano by Alex Greene)
11. Chamber of Desire (Vocals by Tav Falco & Jolie Holland)
12. Epilogue (Spoken word by Nicole Atkins; guitar by Eddie Angel)
Produced by Mario Monterosso.
Engineered and mixed by Scott Bomar.
Mastered by Dave Gardner.
Recorded at Sam Phillips Recording Service, Memphis, Tennessee.
Additional recordings in Lisbon, Nashville, Los Angeles, New York City, Woodstock, London, Paris, Bergamo, Rome.