Acclaimed Guitarist Andy McKee Announces ‘Symbol’ EP and Releases “Ragamuffin”
Above: Andy McKee; credit: Simone Cecchetti
ANDY MCKEE
ANNOUNCES FIRST NEW STUDIO RECORDINGS
IN NEARLY A DECADE
SIX-SONG EP
SYMBOL
OUT FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
LEAD SINGLE
“RAGAMUFFIN”
OUT TODAY
LISTEN HERE
NASHVILLE, TN (July 16, 2021) — Acclaimed guitarist Andy McKee has announced Symbol, his first new collection of studio recordings in nearly a decade, will be released on Friday, September 17 via Mythmaker Records in conjunction with Cruzen Street Records. Out today is “Ragamuffin,” the lead single from the six-song EP, which highlights McKee’s unique playing style on the Michael Hedges composition. Click here to watch the official music video for “Ragamuffin.”
Guitar World broke the news and unveiled the single, raving: “‘Ragamuffin,’ sees the fingerstyle master unleash his dazzling array of extended techniques…McKee’s fingerstyle skills here are every bit as awe-inspiring as those found on the original, easing listeners in with a series of pristine open-string motifs before launching into a barrage of body-spanning rhythmic beats and two-hand tapping passages…dazzling performance.”
While Symbol is a collection of inspired renditions, they are important song choices; artists that deeply influence McKee and song’s that connect to his musical past. He pulls from the catalogues of greats like Michael Hedges, Preston Reed, Billy McLaughlin and Prince.
“These are my interpretations of tunes that really inspired me,” says McKee. “I wanted to give listeners a chance to hear what I hear when I listen to this music. I also wanted to branch out a bit and include music that isn’t originally for acoustic guitar.”
Above: Single Art for “Ragamuffin”
One track that might catch fans by surprise on Symbol is McKee’s gorgeous rendition of Prince’s “Purple Rain.” In 2012, McKee played alongside Prince in his band on the “Welcome 2 Australia” tour with the song being one of the setlist highlights.
Other standouts from Symbol are Mckee’s take on “Chattanooga” by acclaimed guitarist Preston Reed and “Rocky IV Medley.” McKee, like many, was infatuated with the Rocky IV soundtrack, specifically the Vince DiCola compositions “War” and “Training Montage.” For Symbol, McKee and DiCola joined forces to craft “Rocky IV Medley.”
Symbol Tracklisting:
“Ragamuffin” originally by Michael Hedges
“Chattanooga” originally by Preston Reed
“Clockshop” originally by Billy McLaughlin
“Purple Rain” originally by Prince
“Street of Whiterun” originally by Jeremy Soule
“Rocky IV Medley” written by and featuring Vince DiCola
About Andy McKee:
Andy McKee entertains both the eye and the ear as he magically transforms the steel string guitar into a full orchestra via his use of altered tunings, tapping, partial capos, percussive hits and a signature two-handed technique. McKee’s crossover success has helped him to achieve millions upon millions of YouTube viewers, underscoring his emergence as one of today’s most unique and influential artists. His song “Drifting” became one of the first YouTube viral videos with almost 60 million views. He has been featured as a cover story in both Acoustic Guitar Magazine in the U.S. and Acoustic Magazine in the UK. He also curates his own annual guitar retreat called Musicarium. McKee’s tour dates have taken him through Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, including tours with legendary acts from Dream Theater to Tommy Emmanuel.
Above: album cover art for ‘Symbol’