A Break in the Battle is a collaborative effort from three Dallas, Texas, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Salim Nourallah, Chris Holt, and Paul Averitt. Conceived in 2014, but actualized in 2016, the project came to life as a result of Salim’s desire to pay homage to some of his favorite songwriters and songs.
These songs have been artfully reimagined with the intent of stripping the original versions bare and illuminating what remains. The name, A Break in the Battle, came from a lyric in the Pretenders’ Back On the Chain Gang: “I found a picture of you/Those were the happiest days of my life/Like a break in the battle was your part/In the wretched life of a lonely heart.” This seemed like a fitting description of the lifelong relationship Salim, Chris, and Paul have had with music — music being the safe haven, a temporary break from the ongoing struggles of life.
In late 2017 the three musicians re-convened and began work on a second collection of songs. They were eight songs in when Salim's mother passed away. That led to a two year hiatus. Nourallah, Holt and Averitt resumed recording in the Fall of 2020 with Kevin Brown engineering and wrapped up the 2nd record in December.
All three multi-talented musicians are mainstays of the Dallas music scene, and their histories have been intertwined since the late 90’s. They’ve started bands together, played on each other’s albums, and been involved in many of the same collaborative efforts. A Break in the Battle is a culmination of two decades of mutual admiration and friendship.
All songs performed by Salim Nourallah, Chris Holt and Paul Averitt
Recorded at Pleasantry Lane, Dallas, Texas from February-June 2018 and August-December 2020
Recorded by Matt Hibbard and Kevin Brown
Mixed by Kevin Brown
Mastered by Matt Agoglia at Ranch Mastering, New York
Photography by Troy Myatt
Warmth of the Sun
(written by Louis Eliot. Original version on Louis Eliot The Long Way Round)
Not My Baby
(written by Molly Rankin and Alec O'Hanley. Original version on Alvvays Antisocialites)
Glass Jar
(written by Joshua Grange and Tristen Gaspadarek. Original version on Tristen Sneaker Waves)
Secret Separation
(written by Adam Woods / Cyril Curnin / James West-Oram / Peter Greenall. Original version on the Fixx Walkabout)
Watching You Sleep
(written by Mattie Bennett. Original version on Straw Keepsakes)
One of Us
(written by Eric Bazilian. Original version on Joan Osborne Relish).
Sunday Morning
(written by Trevor Tanner/Jan Kalicki/Paul Clark/Nick Chown. Original version on the Bolshoi Friends)
Kite
(written by Nick Heyward. Original version on Nick Heyward From Monday to Sunday)
Dirty Laundry
(written by Don Henley and Danny Kortchmar. Original version on Don Henley I Can't Stand Still)
There is a Light That Never Goes Out
(written by Steven Morrissey and Johnny Marr. Original version on the Smiths The Queen is Dead)
Fascination
(written by Tracey Thorn. Original version on Everything but the Girl Eden)
Tomorrow is Promised to No One
(written by Mattie Bennett. Original version on Straw Keepsakes)
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