Mecca by Michael Falzarano And The Memphis Pilgrims

Within six months of its debut on the club circuit, Falzarano’s Memphis Pilgrims were hailed by the press as one of New York’s “best new bands” who were “simply and wonderfully a real rock ‘n’ roll band.” The group’s second available release, Bad As I Wanna Be (King Radio), includes the eponymous song written for the ABC-TV movie version of Dennis Rodman’s controversial autobiography.

Falzarano has performed on and contributed many original compositions to Hot Tuna releases such as Pair A Dice Found (Epic), Live at Sweetwater I and II (Relix), …And Furthurmore (Grateful Dead) and Hot Tuna—Live In Japan (Relix), as well as the Jorma Kaukonen releases Land of Heroes (American Heritage), Too Many Years (American Heritage) and The Jorma Kaukonen Trio Live (Relix). A partial list of his other recordings include Professor Louie & the Crowmatix’s Live and Flyin’ High (both on Woodstock Records), Kerry Kearney’s Trippin’ on the Psychedelta (Relix) and Essential Kerry Kearney Band (Hipbone) and Alexis P. Suter's Shuga Fix (Hipbone).

A live show veteran of more than 20 years, Falzarano has toured with Hot Tuna and the Jorma Kaukonen Trio (Kaukonen, Falzarano and Pete Sears) throughout the United States, Europe, Scandinavia and Japan. These bands have shared billings with The Allman Brothers, Black Crowes, Rusted Root, The Other Ones, Bob Weir’s Ratdog, Mickey Hart’s Mystery Box, Bruce Hornsby and Los Lobos, among others. Falzarano has also appeared live or recorded with such musical greats as Bob Weir (Grateful Dead); Levon Helm, Rick Danko and Garth Hudson (The Band); John Lee Hooker; Johnny Copeland; Hubert Sumlin (Howlin’ Wolf); Vassar Clements; Paul Simon; Dr. John; Graham Parker; Merl Saunders; Steve Kimok; Bill Keith; Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers, Gov’t Mule, The Dead); Warren Zevon; Greg Allman (Allman Brothers); David Crosby; Eric Anderson; Arlo Guthrie; John Sebastian (Lovin' Spoonful); Geoff Atchison; Bruce Hornsby; Pete Sears; Jonnie Johnson (Chuck Berry); Buddy Cage (New Riders); Peter Rowan; Derek Trucks (Allman Brothers); Paul Kanter (The Jefferson Starship); Trey Anastasio (Phish); Guy Davis; Peter Mulvey; Melvin Seals (The Jerry Garcia Band); John Popper (Blues Traveler); Robert Hunter; and The New Riders Of The Purple Sage.........

When not performing with his own band, Falzarano can be seen with Hot Tuna, The New Riders of The Purple Sage, The Jorma Kaukonen Trio, Professor Louie & the Crowmatix, The Kerry Kearney Band, The Alexis P. Suter Band and The Kane Daily Band. Falzarano also produces other artists and teaches guitar workshops at Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch.

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The Pilgrims, recorded an album of 12 of songs, Mecca, for Relix Records in 1997. It got great reviews and sold well, but along the way Relix changed hands and the album went into out-of-print limbo. Then AMD Records came along and offered to release it.

The original 12 tracks on Mecca feature Sorgen, Eppard and Rust along with Danny Lewis of Gov’t Mule who many people refer to as the 5th Pilgrim as he played on most of the tracks. Michael was also joined by Jorma Kaukonen and Pete Sears of Hot Tuna, Larry Packer of Cat Mother and the All Night News Boys (the only band to be produced by Jimi Hendrix and one of Michael's faves from the ‘70s) and Dave Castiglione on sax. Michael remastered this re-release and has added six bonus tracks, four of which are newly recorded.

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