NEW ALBUM
DECEIVED
Release date: May 22nd, 2025
PRODUCED BY
GRAMMY WINNER PAUL NELSON
Alan Arena's third studio album, featuring 10 tracks and 7 original songs, is a culmination of Alan's songwriting efforts over the last several years and his collaboration with Grammy award-winning producer and guitarist Paul Nelson. Recorded at The Music Room on Cape Cod, the album features a host of notable players including harp legend Jerry Portnoy, "Sax" Gordon Beadle, Brad Hallen, and more
Deceived is out now on all major streaming platforms and available for physical CD purchase on Alan's Bandcamp
Free shipping on all orders within the United States
"Supreme New England blues from an innovative songwriter...this outing is a front-to-back top-tier work"
-Curt's Blues, curtsblues.com
"A wonderful release from a prolific songwriter"
-Holly Harris, host of "Spinning the Blues," WUMB
"Alan Arena has reached a new plateau with his
latest release, 'Deceived'" -Greg Sarni, WBRS
"Alan Arena has earned his place with this work in the ranks of singer-songwriters who hold emotion and integrity in high regard. 'Deceived' is a successful project that impresses both musically and in terms of content. (8/10)" -Walter Vanheuckelom, Concert Monkey. Read the whole review here
Listen to Deceived on your favorite streaming platform
Hear the RMR #1 single "Raised on Radio" and
"Believe in Yourself" by clicking the Play buttons below
Purchase a CD of Deceived and Alan's other albums on Bandcamp
Free shipping on all orders within the United States
THE STORY OF DECEIVED
Musician, singer/songwriter, and artist Alan Arena had two top 10 New England albums when he moved away to become a caregiver for his best friend Lizbeth, a Veteran who had been stricken with Huntington's Disease. He thought performing original music might no longer be in his future, but when a venue and studio called The Music Room opened on Cape Cod, he decided to see if it might be a good place to record new material. It turned out to be the break he never found in Boston.
Grammy-winning guitarist and producer Paul Nelson, who played for Johnny Winter for 14 years, was a partner in the venue, and they struck up a conversation. Paul asked Alan to play a couple of his original songs and, impressed, offered to produce Alan's next recording. Paul produced and played guitar on the album and co-wrote the title track Deceived.
Paul arranged to bring in an ace rhythm section, including bassist Brad Hallen (Susan Tedeschi, Roomful of Blues), drummer Marty Richards (J. Geils Band), and keyboardist Brooks Milgate (Chris O'Leary). They also recruited Jerry Portnoy (Muddy Waters) on harp on one song and Disney legend Milton Smith on strings to play on Deceived.
Paul also made Alan a stage manager of the Music Room, where he opened for Denny Lane, Albert Lee, Kim Wilson, Mike Zito, Albert Castiglia, Shemekia Copeland, Bernard Allison, and many more national artists.
Paul and Alan were talking about collaborating on a Paul Nelson album when Paul passed away from a heart attack at 63 years old while on tour. Now Alan plans to honor Paul's legacy by giving him writing credits for everything he touched and inspired, as with Deceived.
ABOUT ALAN
Alan Arena has been writing songs since 1978. At seventeen, he didn’t even know his first song “Doing 110 at 3AM” was influenced by Chuck Berry or the blues. Alan’s journey into the blues and music went even deeper when he found out that an Eric Clapton recording “Crossroads” was actually written by Robert Johnson. At that time Alan decided to dive deeper into the study of American music
Deceived is dedicated to Lizbeth and all caregivers
Donate to Alan's Cause:
The Hugs for Lizbeth Caregiver Fund (GoFundMe)
Testimonials, Interviews, Reviews, and Links
"Alan Arena's 10-cut outing (his third studio album) is comprised of seven originals (extremely refreshing, with one co-written with Paul Nelson-Johnny Winter's 14-year guitar man), and one Memphis Slim cover. Arena's voice is wholly convincing on whatever the subject matter of a particular tune is, rightfully relating the expansive breadth of his east coast music career and his stage education on how to supremely convey a song. Arena's guitar forays ideally bolster a selection but never overtake it. Nelson's production efforts afford the listener a sonically pleasing experience and, with guests such as Jerry Portnoy on harmonica and Gordon Beadle on saxophone, plus a host of stellar co-conspirators who completely aligned themselves with Arena's musical visions, this outing is a front-to-back top-tier work. Bravo!" -Curt's Blues, curtsblues.com
"Alan Arena probably has this year’s best local blues album with Deceived. It’s going to garner him a lot of attention between its release and the time of all of the upcoming awards shows." -Bill Copeland Music News - Read the whole review here
"'Deceived' should garner Alan Arena a lot of attention. The album is dedicated to "Hugs For Lizbeth" and the caregivers. Arena also honors the legacy of Paul Nelson." -Richard Ludmere, "Making a Scene" - Read the whole review here
"Here is an album of songs about life from a man that’s been there and done that. ‘Heartwarming’ is an over-used description, but listening to Deceived gives me an informed case of the fuzzies. There’s a lot of life squeezed into these songs, 9 stories we can all relate to. I can’t put a definitive label on what sort of music Deceived might be exactly, I can only say that it’s real enjoyable. This is solid, life-affirming music." -Jeff Kereiff, Rock Doctor's Hot Wax Album Reviews - Read the whole review here
"Outstanding new album" -Brian Owens, Metronome Magazine
"Alan Arena serves up good old-fashioned electric blues with enough innovation to add to the genre while keeping true to
its roots. This album is an achievement."
-Polly O'Keary, award winning recording artist
Read an interview with Alan by Michael Limnios from Blues GR