Cummings expands his blues sound with ‘No Regrets’

July 17, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

The title of Albert Cummings’ new CD “No Regrets” says it all.

“It’s my best I’ve ever done,” said Cummings, calling from his Williamstown, Mass., home. “I’ve always tried to be true to a trio sound. All of my albums, I’ve always been like I’m not doing anything else but guitar, bass and drums. This album, I added a keyboard, and I’ll soon be adding one in the band to tour.”

For over a decade the blues singer-guitarist showed off his powerful blues trio sound, which is unabashedly influenced by Stevie Ray Vaughan, over numerous studio albums that culminated with his 2008 live release “Feels So Good.”

Cummings said the feeling at the time of the concert CD release was he had explored the trio motif and heavy blues sensibility to his fullest. Anything further would be redundant, so seeking a challenge, the homebuilder-by-day explored his influences. He soon found himself letting hints and heavy doses of R&B, rock, soul, country and the blues color his music.

The result is “No Regrets,” which includes the upbeat “500 Miles,” the country-sounding “She’s So Tired” and the southern rocker “Your Day Will Come.” “No Regrets” is slated for release next month.

“The new album is about starting over in the studio and saying, ‘This is a whole new sound,’” Cummings said. “It’s not like it’s unrecognizable. It fits right in with all of my other work but it’s just taking it another step to say there’s more colors in the palette this guy has.”

As for the addition of a keyboardist, Cummings said he wanted his sound to evolve, and the keys was the easiest way to start. Also in his plans is adding a rhythm guitarist. His concern actually is based around his live show, which has been known for its raw, energetic vibe.

Specifically, he talks about the importance improvisation plays within the live show. So finding the right players that not only don’t disrupt the on-the-fly chemistry already possessed by the trio but actually add to its output is the goal.

“The more pieces you add the more you endanger that energy or magic that’s going on,” Cummings said. “I always say we find the pulse of the song and that’s what we stay on.”

Looking to the future, Cummings, who plays the Pittsburgh Blues Festival on Saturday at Hartwood Acres, admits in his past he didn’t do as much as he could to promote his music. This is why he said even though he has six albums released, he’s often viewed as a new artist. So for the next year or so, he’s committed to pushing his music as far as it’ll go.

And if you ask Cummings where exactly that is, he has a few lofty places.

“I feel like I’m still just getting out,” Cummings said. “We’re starting to get bigger and better gigs, and every one of these is like an introductory level. We’re headlining some gigs but I haven’t played Carnegie Hall or Madison Square Garden. Maybe with this genre of music it’s farfetched but that’s what I feel like where I’m going. I’m excited.”