Carolyn Wonderland is thrilled to share her newest collection of songs, TRUTH IS, with you! This is her second album produced by roots rock legend Dave Alvin and released on Alligator Records. Building on the success of her 2021 release, TEMPTING FATE, TRUTH IS showcases her signature Texas blues roots, soulful vocals, and fearless songwriting. With searing guitar work and a deep emotional range, this album continues her tradition of pushing boundaries and has garnered great reviews and airplay, captivating audiences worldwide.
Following years of recording and touring the world with the legendary John Mayall, and tearing up the road with her own band, Carolyn has earned multiple Blues Music Award nominations and widespread critical acclaim. Whether on stage or in the studio, her dynamic performances and deeply personal songs continue to make her one of the most powerful voices in roots and blues today.
Carolyn says, “ I don’t think I’ve ever had an album of mine be so well received before. It is truly amazing to me and I know it would not be possible without the musical kindnesses of my band, the amazing Mad Rearranger skills of Dave Alvin, all of my friends and heroes who dropped in to play, and the extremely hard working folks at Alligator Records and Intrepid Artists International. Thank you all deeply and humbly. It was a joy to create this album, and I am grateful to be able to tour and bring the music to you, my friends!”
Carolyn Wonderland, with her dynamic guitar playing, formidable songwriting, and pure Texas vocals, has more than earned her reputation as a fiercely independent artist. Wonderland plays original, bluesified, cosmic soul music, mixed with heavy doses of Tex-Mex and riff-fueled rock 'n' roll. She has been performing professionally since the age of 15 and has led a colorful and adventurous life. On the road her entire career, she's played with icons from Townes Van Zandt to Levon Helm, from Buddy Guy to Hubert Sumlin, from Bob Dylan to John Mayall, all while writing her own story.
Truth Is is a timeless album for these times. Over the course of the album's 12 songs--including 10 Wonderland originals and co-writes--Wonderland and her band create lasting musical magic. From the blistering, ear-opening Sooner Or Later to the riff-heavy battle cry I Ain't Going Back to the emotional gut-punch of the title track, this is music that commands attention. The poignant, profound and heartbreaking Let's Play A Game, to the swaggeringly bluesy Whistlin' Past The Graveyard Again ("that's a day in the life of me and my friends," says Wonderland), to the cathartic closer, Blues For Gene (a tribute to her late friend, piano giant Gene Taylor, with Carolyn and album producer Dave Alvin shedding tears as they were recording the track), the songs tell real and relatable stories while running the full gamut of emotions.
On Wishful Thinking, Wonderland elegantly sings her Texas heart out, wringing every bit of emotion from her friend Greg Wood's potent and reflective lyrics. Her version of The Band's Orange Juice Blues shares the same ramshackle, going-for-broke carnival vibe of the Basement Tapes original, with Wonderland and her crew turning it all up a notch. Like every song she touches, she makes it her very own. Industry maven Bill Bentley, writing in Americana Highways, said, "Wonderland's an astounding songwriter...and her ability to totally pull other songs into her own world is the mark of an all-timer. There are no limits to what she can do [with her] powerful vocals and whip-ass guitar playing. It's clear she isn't fooling around."
Truth Is was produced by legendary guitarist and songwriter Dave Alvin (producer of Wonderland's Alligator debut, Tempting Fate), who also co-wrote four songs, three of which he plays on. Wonderland says of Alvin, "I've never had my ass handed to me so thoughtfully in the studio. I came in with songs and Dave took the arrangements I wasn't married to and put on his "Mad Rearranger" hat to get to the heart of the songs, always looking for and finding something that tells the story better. Dave is amazing. He has an incredible literary mind and is one of the best guitar bashers I've ever met."
Along with bassist Naj Conklin and drummer Giovanni "Nooch" Carnuccio, Wonderland is joined on Truth Is by guests including Alligator labelmate Marcia Ball and friends Shelley King, Ruthie Foster, Cindy Cashdollar ("the Girl Gang," says Wonderland), Red Young, Bukka Allen, Kevin Lance, Henri Herbert and Stuart Sullivan. The album was recorded and mixed by Sullivan at Wire Recording in Austin, Texas. With Truth Is, Carolyn Wonderland stakes her claim among the most influential roots music voices today, delivering the blues' honest truth to all who will listen. Her courageously empowering music packs an emotional wallop, with every track on the album performed with a rare intensity that is welcoming and ultimately uplifting. "She's something else," Bob Dylan once said to Ray Benson. "She should be nationwide."
"One of Texas' finest guitar-slingers...from blues to country to rock 'n' roll and beyond, she is fiery and deeply soulful." --Austin American Statesman
"Pure electricity...astonishing playing and soulful, sophisticated singing...Wonderland delivers her cleverly penned lyrics with sly joy as her guitar bites. Her passionate singing is expressive, romantic and sensual. Her solos burn and elevate the groove." --AllMusic
"Carolyn Wonderland is the sound of Texas. She's a feisty free-ranger, lassoing a variety of roof-rattling styles into her own inimitable take on twangy blues dripping with honky-tonk grease. Her vocals are a bluesy cowgirl's dream come true." --No Depression
