At once raucous and tender, Winter Clothes is Brian Cullman’s most fully realized album to date, one with nothing to prove, just the easy camaraderie of first-rate musicians playing in tandem, the snap crackle pop of the rhythm, and the smoky beauty of the songs. This is Cullman’s first fully cooperative album with longtime friend and collaborator Jimi Zhivago (Glen Hansard, Ollabelle). Many of the songs were assembled during writing sessions where the two of them played ideas off one another, working through melodies and rhythms until the pieces were fully in sync. Zhivago was crucial in helping to shape eclectic sounds to Cullman’s lyrics & melodies. The album was recorded live at Forrest Sound in Long Island City with the core lineup of Cullman (acoustic & electric guitars, vocals); Zhivago (electric & acoustic guitars); Byron Isaacs (The Lumineers, Ollabelle) on bass, backing vocals and occasional drums; and Glenn Patscha (Ry Cooder, Ollabelle) on keyboards and backing vocals. Later sessions filled out the sound with Chris Bruce (Me’shell Ndegeocello, T Bone Burnett) on guitars; Chris Heinz (Martin Walker) on drums; Tony Leone (Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Ollabelle) on percussion; and Syd Straw (The Golden Palominos, R.E.M.) and MaryAsque Fendley (Basque) on backing vocals. As always, Hector Castillo (Phillip Glass, David Bowie) was there to oversee the recording and to mix
