What do you get when a former Los Angeles studio guitarist collaborates with his favorite drummer – who just happens to be a founding member of one of the most iconic rock bands of all-time – and creates a refreshingly innovative style of smooth jazz?
The answer is Watson’s Riddle, a dynamic instrumental group formed in Upstate South Carolina by veteran guitarist Steve Watson and original Marshall Tucker Band drummer Paul T. Riddle with legendary pianist Chuck Leavell (Allman Brothers Band, Sea Level, Rolling Stones) and top-notch bassist Tim Lawter (Marshall Tucker Band).
Watson’s Riddle’s eclectic fusion effort offers 56 minutes of groove-oriented sonic bliss that evokes an equally wide range of human emotion. It’s the kind of music that can be described as being just what the doctor ordered. As cliché as that might sound, in the case of Watson’s Riddle, it’s literally true.
Watson’s Riddle, conceived when Cardiothoracic Surgeon Douglas Appleby, M.D., encouraged his friend and guitar instructor Steve to write music that was “emotionally engaging, relaxing and transforming to the human soul, and would enhance the pleasure of a nice glass of wine.” Watson wrote some of the album’s material during the good doctor’s weekly lessons and eventually took the project to Riddle who brought in Leavell and Lawter.
Dr. Appleby later participated in a special release of a Watson’s Riddle Special Release Wine, a 100% Washington State Mouvedre, with its label paying homage the groups talented musicians.
