There’s something incredibly refreshing about an album that doesn’t try to hide its flaws but embraces them as part of the experience. Gravity Sessions, the latest release from long-running Illinois blues-rock trio Rosetta West, is just that—a raw, unvarnished record that doesn’t seek perfection but something far more elusive: truth. Captured over a few intense days at Gravity Studios in Chicago with legendary engineer Doug McBride, the album pulls listeners into the heart of a band that has never played by the rules and never needed to.
For those familiar with Rosetta West’s discography—particularly their more psychedelic, spiritual, and studio-polished releases—Gravity Sessions offers a stark yet compelling contrast. It’s a live-to-tape-style document that strips the songs back to their bones and, in doing so, reveals their soul.
The album isn’t a reinvention—it’s a revelation. With most of the performances recorded live, save for a few tasteful overdubs, Rosetta West presents a raw, kinetic energy that’s often scrubbed out in modern production. Founder and frontman Joseph Demagore leads with gritty conviction, his vocals straining in all the right ways, guitars echoing with emotional urgency. On bass, Herf Guderian delivers grooving, earthy lines that ground the tracks with warmth and soul. Longtime drummer Mike Weaver is tight and expressive throughout, adding punch without overpowering the mix.
The decision to record at Gravity Studios wasn’t just logistical—it was symbolic. This place, steeped in Chicago’s musical heritage, seems to bleed through the takes, adding atmosphere and a sense of occasion. The sound is warm and real. You can almost hear the walls of the studio listening back.
Rosetta West fans will recognize many of the songs in Gravity Sessions, but they won’t sound quite the same. That’s the beauty of this record—it doesn’t regurgitate studio versions, it reimagines them. It’s like hearing old stories told in a new tone of voice, under different lighting, in a more intimate room.
Lead single “Dora Lee (Gravity)” captures this perfectly. The track was already strong in its original form, but here it feels more haunted, more grounded. The new video, available on YouTube, adds another layer—bringing the emotional narrative into sharper focus.
The featured track “Suzie” is another standout. It’s lean, raw, and carries a bluesy ache that feels timeless. In this stripped-back format, “Suzie” unfolds like a personal confession—one shared from the stage at midnight with just a small crowd and a couple of cheap beers between them. It’s not polished, but it’s powerful.
Rosetta West has always existed on the fringe of genre and expectation. While Gravity Sessions is heavily rooted in blues rock, you’ll still find the usual traces of psychedelia, world folk, and the band’s signature undercurrent of mysticism and spirituality. This isn’t a band trying to follow trends—they’ve been too busy following their own path since the 1990s.
Their lyrics are often open to interpretation, grounded in the kind of imagery that hints at deeper spiritual or philosophical themes without being heavy-handed. There’s something dreamlike, even shamanic, about the way Joseph Demagore approaches songwriting—equal parts storytelling and trance-inducing ritual.
Far from burnout, Gravity Sessions feels like a breath of fresh air—an invitation to reconnect with the roots of the band’s music and philosophy. It’s also a subtle reminder that music doesn’t need to be digitally scrubbed or algorithm-friendly to matter. Sometimes, all it takes is a band in a room, playing like it’s the last night on Earth.
Rosetta West’s Gravity Sessions is not a flashy release, and it won’t dominate the Spotify charts. But that’s not the point. This is music made with heart, grit, and sincerity—qualities that have defined the band’s long, fiercely independent career. If you’re new to Rosetta West, this record might be the rawest, realest introduction you could ask for. If you’re a longtime fan, it’s a welcome return to form—less like a comeback and more like a campfire gathering of old souls.
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