Chuck Wright is a prolific bassist who’s played with everyone from Alice Cooper to Gregg Allman. He’s been in more bands than you can imagine — Giuffria, Impellitteri, Heaven & Earth, House of Lords, Magdalen, to name a few — and appeared on dozens of records. Most notably, Wright anchored the bottom end of Quiet Riot, off and on, for years until he was unceremoniously shown the door in 2021. Given the situation, mere mortals would have cowered in resignation. But Wright, who earnestly juggles any number of projects simultaneously, including hosting a weekly freeform jam at the famous Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood, isn’t about to throw in the towel. The pandemic and his exit from Quiet Riot provided him with a golden opportunity to make a record of his own. He tapped into a library of influences, brought in an impressive variety of collaborators, and reined it all under the auspices of Chuck Wright’s Sheltering Sky to underscore its impactful arrival.
Chuck Wright’s Sheltering Sky is not your garden-variety rock and roll record. It goes much deeper and wider on its dispersion, and it’s evident from the get-go. There are two versions (electric and acoustic) of the instrumental “The Weight Of Silence,” featuring keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Black Country Communion), that bookend the record and flesh out a loose concept of sorts. Most importantly though, it immediately breaks any preconceptions about what fans and critics might think a solo album from the bassist of Quiet Riot would sound like. Chances are, with its sophisticated, progressive arc, Chuck Wright’s Sheltering Sky is not what a lot of potential listeners would expect. It’s a record filled with risks, segues, detours and tempo changes structured around superb musicianship, high production and attention to detail.
When you’ve been in a supportive role for long enough, you’re liable to start throwing every conceivable musical thought you’ve ever had at the wall to see what sticks. In the case of Chuck Wright’s Sheltering Sky, what may have seemed lofty at first has indeed taken hold. This is a collection infused with elements of prog, metal, funk, jazz, world and rock flavors. And through it all is Wright’s smooth bassline, offered up in any number of shades and tones via a choice of acoustic, electric, and four- and/or eight-string instruments. Covers of Björk’s “Army Of Me” and Jesse Colin Young’s “Darkness Darkness,” highlighted by a Celtic thrust, exhibit the breadth of material. “Throwin’ Stones” asserts a timely, anti-war stance from singer Joe Retta, while guitarist Lanny Cordola, Wright’s bandmate from House of Lords and Magdalen, punctuates a funky rhythm set in place by Wright and late drummer Pat Torpey from Mr. Big.
As if the soundscapes and stylistic swirls aren’t enough to whet your curiosity, what really gives the album wings is the inclusion of some very well written and executed songs. Singer August Young provides a catchy, uplifting verse and chorus to the deliciously melodic “The Other Side.” Young returns to duet with Shelly Bonet on an easy stroll through a country-seasoned, pedal-steel-driven “Cradle Of The Sun (Lorelei).” If radio still played new and adventurous music, these two would be sure-fire hits. Meanwhile Sons of Apollo singer Jeff Scott Soto, with backing vocals from Mr. Big’s Eric Martin, grabs immediate attention with the hip-shaking, calculating “It Never Fails.” Here is where Skid Row guitarist Scotti Hill drops a short, effective solo into another pocket etched out by Wright, Cordola and Torpey.
Even though each number stands defiantly on its own, it’s best to track through Chuck Wright’s Sheltering Sky in its entirety. It takes a full spin to completely appreciate the heart and soul Wright put into the project. And when you have friends like Sherinian, Torpey, Cordola, Retta, Soto, Martin, Young, as well as drummers Troy Luccketta (Tesla) and Ken Mary (House of Lords), and keyboardists Walter Ino and Tim Janssens (both of whom also mixed and/or co-produced several of the album’s songs) to lend a hand, you really can’t go wrong. As a complete package, Chuck Wright’s Sheltering Sky may have taken a lifetime to see its fruition, but the payoff transcends presumptions. For someone who’s been in the shadows for most of his career, Wright can take satisfaction in knowing his debut solo album is more than an exercise in proclivity and endurance. Rather, it’s a creative testament that redefines Wright’s legacy — clearly beyond that of most bass players in rock bands.
~ Shawn Perry
