Artist: PAUL GILBERT
Album: STONE PUSHING UPHILL MAN VINYL (LP)

Release date: 2014
Media type: LP

Paul Gilbert about Stone Pushing Uphill Man: 

The Stone Pushing Uphill Man is me. Of course, the image is inspired by the Greek myth of Sisyphus… a story about a man who spent every day rolling a heavy stone up a mountain, only to have to roll back down once he reached the top. This seems like a very frustrating fate. But there is a philosopher (Albert Camus) who wrote, 'One must imagine Sisyphus happy.' I agree. I am happy. And the reason is… I love my 'stone.' My stone is many things. One of them is music. I have played guitar for many years.

But recently, I have realized that I am not satisfied with much of what I have done. This felt like my stone rolling down the mountain. But I am happy. The stone is mine. I love pushing it back up. It takes effort. But I am in control. I have a goal. I can do it. It feels great. And when I get to the top, I don’t mind that it rolls back down again. Because by that time, I have spent enough time with that stone. And I’m ready for a new one. This album is my newest stone… and it rocks!

With the Stone Pushing Uphill Man album, I decided that I am ready to bring my guitar to the center of the stage and let it sing. To do this, I wanted to use the inspiration of my favorite singers. Paul McCartney, Steven Tyler, Elton John, James Brown, Sting, k.d. lang… These are the voices that I wish I had. With my guitar I can reach their notes. The challenge is to match their emotion and expression. This is my goal as a guitar player. It requires many new techniques. I have to look at the guitar differently than I have in the past.

TRACKLIST CD/ LP:

1. Working For The Weekend
2. Back In The Saddle
3. I Got The Feelin'
4. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
5. Why Don't We Do It In The Road
6. Shock Absorber
7. Purple Without All The Red
8. Murder By Numbers
9. My Girl
10. Wash Me Clean
11. Stone Pushing Uphill Man