Marc Broussard’s ‘Chance Worth Taking’ is out now via Joe Bonamassa’s KTBA Records, and it marks a genuine creative pivot for the Louisiana soul singer. His first full album of original blues material, the 14-track record was produced by Bonamassa and Josh Smith alongside Calvin Turner, with Bonamassa contributing guitar on 10 tracks and co-writing 3 songs with Broussard. Smith features on and co-wrote 4 tracks, and Turner joined forces with Broussard on 10 of the album’s originals while contributing to the album’s string and horn arrangements.
The album’s origin has a good story behind it. Turner proposed the blues concept and sent Broussard a folder of 15 instrumentals. What followed was 3 manic days of writing. “I would wake up at 6:00 a.m. and write until 11:00 p.m. I’d be in the studio sweating like a madman,” Broussard recalls. The songs were then refined in the studio with Bonamassa, who pushed the project further. “When we got into the studio, Joe wasn’t fully convinced we had a blues album, so he added to the songs we already had, and we wrote three others together. In the end, we got to the promised land.”
Lead singles “No More” and “Fever” are both out now. “No More” is a sweeping cinematic blues ballad with stately strings and Bonamassa’s soaring guitar framing Broussard’s yearning vocal. “Fever” delivers a slinky modern roadhouse groove driven by funky rhythm guitars, punchy horns, and Smith’s stinging leads. Together they showcase the album’s range without giving away everything it contains.
The record moves through big-band B.B. King-style arrangements on “Let Me Take You Out Tonight” and “Blame,” which features improvisational interplay between Bonamassa, Smith, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Reese Wynans. Gospel-tinged soul ballad “Chance Worth Taking” and the timeless “Sweet Love” give the record emotional depth, while the album closes with “Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler,” co-written by Trombone Shorty and Broussard, a brassy New Orleans send-off that feels like the natural end to this particular creative adventure.
Broussard’s signature “bayou soul” vocal, equal parts grit and grace, anchors all of it. “Man, I’m so excited about it all,” he says. “It’s time for me to move into my bluesman phase. At this stage of my life, I’m all about it.”
‘Chance Worth Taking’ Track Listing:
You’ll Be Sorry
“Trying To Do Right” feat. Joe Bonamassa
I’m Going Home
“No More” feat. Joe Bonamassa
“Fever” feat. Josh Smith
Chance Worth Taking
Let Me Take You Out Tonight
Sweet Love
These Walls
Satisfaction Guaranteed
Blame
Whispers
“Laissez Street Parade Intro” feat. Trombone Shorty
“Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler” feat. Trombone Shorty
Upcoming Tour Dates:
May 30 – Highlands, NC @ Bear Shadow Festival