Guitarist, singer, and a founding member of New York City’s Spin Doctors, Eric Schenkman returns with “Avocado Eldorado,” a driving rock ’n’ roll track inspired by his grandfather’s Cadillac.

In “Avocado Eldorado,” Schenkman looks back at his grandfather’s green Cadillac Eldorado, presently rusting away in an old Vermont barn. The relic – a wide-ass, loud, stately car – represents freedom and the romance of the open road. For Schenkman in particular, it also honours the “old men” who played pivotal roles in his life. 

The song’s title has its own history. In 1995, Schenkman traveled from San Francisco to legendary guitarist David Lindley’s Reseda, CA home with drummer Wally Ingram. When they arrived, Schenkman spotted Lindley’s big blue 1970s Cadillac Eldorado sitting in the driveway.

“My grandfather has the same car, only it’s an avocado Eldorado,” Schenkman remembers telling him. Lindley’s response was immediate: “That’s a song you should write.”

“It only took 30 years!” Schenkman says.

That long pause is fitting for a song Schenkman describes as deeply autobiographical. It brings so many things back to life: his grandfather, his childhood, and the Cadillac itself with its bench seats big enough to sleep on, the chrome grills reflecting the road and the avocado paint giving it all of its funky glory. 

I see the chrome grill and the avocado paint

Is it runnin’? It probably ain’t

The track also carries Schenkman’s preference for feel and spontaneity into the studio. Produced by Schenkman and Aaron Goldstein, “Avocado Eldorado” was recorded with “no click track. As unprecious as possible. Immediate rock ’n’ roll, like my experience.”

The recording features Schenkman on vocals and guitar, the dynamic rhythm section of Al Cross on drums and Stan Miczek on bass, with Carleigh Aikens on backup vocals. It was mixed and recorded by Goldstein and Kristian Montano, who mastered the track.

“Avocado Eldorado” was nearly complete, but it needed a bridge, so when Schenkman brought it to longtime friend and collaborator Jono Manson, during a writing and recording session in Santa Fe, Manson supplied the missing lyrics, completing a song whose origins stretched back decades.