Dudley Taft – Fire Horse
An eleven-track blues-rock album inspired by a remarkable connection to the Chinese zodiac
Dudley Taft – Fire Horse
Format: CD / Digital
Label: Self-Release
Release date: October 30, 2026
American blues-rock guitarist and singer Dudley Taft will release his eleventh album, ‘Fire Horse’, on October 30, 2026. Featuring eleven original compositions, the independently released record brings together his guitar-driven blues-rock approach with personal songwriting and themes of determination, reflection and renewal.
The album’s title has a particularly personal meaning. According to the Chinese zodiac, 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, a combination that occurs once every sixty years. Taft was born in 1966, the previous Fire Horse year. Discovering this connection inspired him to build his latest album around the symbolism of energy, movement and new possibilities.
The material moves between hard-driving blues rock and more reflective songwriting. Warmup Song originated from a guitar riff played during a soundcheck, while Fire Inside explores the importance of maintaining personal drive and ambition.
Elsewhere, Sleeping At The Wheel addresses political apathy, She Loves Me turns towards a more personal subject, and One By One pays tribute to departed musical heroes. The album closes with Duel In The Desert, an instrumental guitar piece contrasting fuzz-driven tones with classic 1970s rock influences.
Taft is joined by drummer Nick Owsianka, keyboardist Bennett Holland, bassist Dave Marks, who also contributes additional keyboards and percussion, and backing vocalist Ashley Charmae. The album was co-produced by Taft and Marks.
Dudley Taft
Originally from the American Midwest and now based in Cincinnati, Taft previously played with Seattle rock bands Sweet Water and Second Coming. His career has taken him from alternative rock into blues rock, incorporating influences ranging from traditional blues to heavier guitar-driven music.
In 2017, he received a Best Guitarist nomination at the European Blues Awards.
Following the album’s release, Taft is scheduled to begin a three-week European tour on November 1, 2026.
The album also carries a personal dedication to Django, Taft’s beloved dog, who passed away during the mixing process after spending considerable time with the musicians in the studio.
Website: https://www.dudleytaft.com/
Tracks:
01. Warmup Song
02. Fire Inside
03. Wasted Land
04. Sleeping At The Wheel
05. She Loves Me
06. I Raise A Glass To The Brave
07. One By One
08. It Speaks To Me
09. So Empty
10. Stolen Days
11. Duel In The Desert
Line-up:
Dudley Taft – Guitar, vocals
Nick Owsianka – Drums
Bennett Holland – Keyboards
Dave Marks – Bass, additional keyboards, percussion
Ashley Charmae – Backing vocals
Production: Dudley Taft & Dave Marks
Dudley Taft-Live On Stage
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