In early 2012 Willie Royal reached out to his friend Nic Kraster, guitarist for The Lotus Fire at the time. It seemed Willie wanted to start playing again and his long-time musical partner Lobo (Willie and Lobo) had retired. Nic, along with The Lotus Fire guitarist Jon McGlaughlin and myself on percussion became the backup band for the newly formed Willie Royal Quartet.
Willie, who died a few years later, was one of those very rare musical talents. It wasn’t a vurtuoasic ability (though he was a great player), a genre-bending compositional style, or a deep knowledge of music that made him great . His talent was closer to that of a shaman. Willie was one of those players who could almost instantaneously tap into the ineffable source that all musicians seek. From the moment he started playing a song, his eyes would be closed and he would be in “that” place… and the audience would go there with him. With almost wreckless abandon, Willie could jump in the river and just ride it. It was his super power.
That version of the Willie Royal Quartet only ran for 4 or 5 months, but it is one of the best musical experiences I have ever had. I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to share a stage with Willie Royal.
Willie Royal @ Ceviche
Members of The Lotus Fire filling out the short-lived Willie Royal Quartet circa 2012