Since moving to Athens in 1996, professional musician Jason Alan Fuller has made a living as a touring and recording artist, from traveling with bands like Ween and Tishamingo to performing a rotation of private gigs. These days, the keyboard/piano/organ player and singer-songwriter can often be seen playing with bands such as Kinchafoonee Cowboys, Night Fever, Athens All-
Stars and Cosmic Charlie. However, this weekend Fuller will celebrate the release of an album of original songs under his own name, Secrets and Sevens.
This will be the first full album he’s released under his name since 2007’s GrooveHitLatinBluesFunk by Jason Alan Fuller Presents… Snap!, although just a few years ago, Fuller recorded an instrumental project at Tweed Recording with Seth Hendershot and Stephen Spivey. Fuller spent many years in multiple bands that saw a rise and fall, but as he leaned more into gig-focused work, he felt a lull in his own personal creative productivity. But he never left songwriting behind. Over the last year and a half, he’s had more alone time to fill and emotions to drive his songwriting. He began picking unfinished songs back up—one in particular now 20 years old—and creating this album.
Although the collection of songs vary greatly in when they were first created and the genres similarly bounce between inspirations, the tone and production of the album as a whole anchors its cohesiveness. The album was recorded with Jay Rodgers of Full Moon Studio, who convinced Fuller that the various vibes would not feel conflicting given they were recording with the same set of musicians and his voice. The result is a ‘70s classic rock-inspired arrangement with polished, modern production that translates into easy listening—with enough skillful piano playing to live up to Fuller’s reputation without feeling ostracizing to the casual listener.
“It’s me. It’s hard for me to describe what me is,” says Fuller. “I’ve played with so many different bands, from country to Motown to funk to rock and roll to jazz to solo piano to New Orleans, a huge influence of mine. So all of that comes through in the album in one way or another.”
One of the particularly unique and special tracks on the album is “She Loves to Dance,” featuring Fuller’s 9-year-old daughter Talulah on lead vocals. He says they often come up with melodies and little jingles together, and while this specific song is now two years old, there’s the potential for more “Jason and Talulah” songs to come out. For this one, a music video was released last week featuring the duo plus some of Talulah’s friends from school and dance class. Scenes take place in The Tree Room and The Studio with all the heart-warming and positive energy you could want from such a collaboration.
“To have my daughter singing lead with me is such a special thing, and she’ll have it forever,” says Fuller.
The album release party at Hendershot’s is meant to be a true listening experience of the full album, surrounded by festivities meant to spark community and a good time. Early entry will begin at 7 p.m. with a meet and greet in addition to a gumbo dinner, then at 8 p.m. Fuller will perform the seven-song, 30-minute album. Fuller says his wish is for everyone to give their full attention for that time to “just digest what [he’s] put [his] entire year into.” He’s also devised a trivia game to go along with the album, so three close listeners have the opportunity to win Hendershot’s gift cards. The rest of the evening will be more social, with lively music performed by an all-star cast of local musicians, including some fun surprise guests.
“I think I just needed to put this out for myself, for my heart,” says Fuller. “When the album is over, I hope that people continue to listen to it and it affects people in a positive way. And then for the most part, I will be continuing the life that I live, which is a wonderful life.”
WHO: Jason Alan Fuller
WHEN: Nov. 18, 7 p.m. (gumbo), 8 p.m. (show)
WHERE: Hendershot’s
HOW MUCH: $12–20
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