Song writing started about 12 years ago, but the opportunity to make an album has only been feasible in the last couple of years, due to having the time, confidence in the songs, finding the money! and of course the big factor, which makes things so much easier for songwriters, the internet. I’ve always been happy to listen/perform, different types and streams of music, never really comfortable with forming an allegiance, to just one genre. So with that in mind, plans to make this first solo effort, were put into place. Selections for the songs were compiled from about 50 ideas, written on 6 - string guitar over the course of a 12 - year period, all the songs were originally recorded as demos in October 2003, then an extensive list of musicians drawn up, to handle all the different musical styles. I quickly realised that the songs would not benefit from just one set of musicians, plus the fact I thought it would be a nice idea, to call up my many musician friends to showcase the Southend music scene, and all it’s multiple talents.
So onto the music track by track:
Escaping In The Garden - A pressures inside the
home song, longing to find a snippet of peace. A sort of pop/indie
feel to this one, the sound effects at the end are so typical of my
garden in the summertime, noisy!
Silent Highway - Inspired by a painting by E Wilkins
Waite. It’s about being in the state of inspiration, letting
go and sucking it all in. In your face Rock this one, superb guitar
from Adam Ridealch, burning his fret board. Middle section has a
bit of a classical Spanish breakdown of progressive
tendencies.
Hanging On A Stone - Country/Rock, a good country
tune will never die! End of a relationship song this one, the only
item left is a ring with a stone, but with a positive outcome
‘a new life coming round again’. Managed to get two
Southend legends on this one, Wilko Johnson (Guitar) and Vic
Collins (Pedal Steel).
Just Like Grace - Merging personal relationship
experiences, with the story of, the Victorian lighthouse
keeper’s heroine daughter, Grace Darling. Cool acoustic
guitar courtesy of Roy Mette. Folk/Acoustic influences here, with a
bit of dreamy jazz bass at the end.
Happy Go Lucky Man - Oh those heady days back to
1978! A New - Wave song, with no other than Barry Masters on
vocals. Managed to track my old buddy Phil Chambon, to play guitar
and co - write a middle section. We were actually in a chart band
together around those times, called ‘Tonight’.
Be Patient (Lonely Heart) - A Retro - Soul tune this
one, wonderful jazzy guitar from Ian Pearce. All about giving
yourself space after a break up, just keep cool, you will find the
right person. Steff Andrews helped me out on vocals, had to be a
girly Soul - Diva feel on this one.
Unknown Sojourn Parts1&2 - Loads of Prog
influences here. In two parts with part 2 instrumental. Part 1 is
basically a folk Ballad, about life’s journey to and fro,
’many times the way so narrow’, eventually to find
sanctuary in music. It’s an epic!
Russ Strutter - About Time I & II (Description)
(Cont.)
Now I’ve Got You - Cute little Pop song,
written in a flash of inspiration, in about 30 minutes! my last
song written/recorded to date. Dave Dulake, local singer songwriter
extraordinaire, playing Drums and Piano.
Love And Pain - Blues/Rock, one of the rawest songs
on the cd, Ian Gibbons getting that classic Hammond sound, and my
new friend Steve Braithwaite, delivering a powerful in your face
vocal. Incidentally this was my first penned song, with a little
help from Gary Thompson (Tonight) on lyrics.
Intrepid Journey - Folk/Rock love ballad, about two
people who’s paths had crossed many times, and were destined
to meet. Bit of a cosmic tune this one ‘infinite shining
stars’, beautiful flowing piano part by Maddy Maxwell.
No One (Culinary Delight) - Local jazz musicians
Graeme Turner (Sax) & Tony Sandeman (Guitar) pulled in for this
one, giving the song it’s Soul/Jazz feel. Influenced by Kenny
Baxter’s Sunday lunchtime Jazz sessions.
Are You Tuned In? - Another early song co - written
with Gary Thompson. A pure Pop/Indie tune you can dance to, with my
younger brother, Adam Strothard on lead guitar, not to mention the
distinctive female backing vocals, care of The Wayhays.
Over The Moon - Pop/Rhythm & Blues, with
Wilko’s unmistakable guitar style and Steve Weston’s
Blues harmonica, a fun blues song, things are bad but what the
hell, ‘something tells me I’m going to be
alright’.
Paglesham (Instrumental) - Ah! that summer’s
evening, village pub, real ale and Jerry Alsford playing old
English Folk on the violin.
Nature’s Toll (Involving a. Slow dance of the lost
souls. Also b. The never-ending toll) - The huge Prog/Rock
song to end the album, oh dear what are we doing to this fair Earth
that’s our home. Mother Earth herself makes an appearance
‘Don’t push me too far’. Rob Pearce’s
mellotron sound makes a massive impact here, plus Jeff
Green’s guitar ringing out to the heavens on the coda. Watch
out for the Earthquake; please don’t adjust your hi-fi!