Of Many Rivers - February 29th, 2024

---

 Vocal pieces w/ guitar accompaniment & compositions for solo guitar.

I've been working on making an album for a long time and I'm glad to finally present "Of Many Rivers." This album began its life in 2020 and has changed a lot, but has stayed the same at heart, simple songs written during not so simple times. Some songs are personal, others are from other perspectives, all come from what I was dealing with at the time. At first it was a fully vocal album, but I grew stale of that idea and the album went into hibernation for awhile until I got into John Fahey and began composing my own pieces, having taught myself to play fingerstyle. That's when the album finally started to take shape as a mix of guitar soli and songs that had gotten me through my late teen years. I feel like the styles blend really nice. I also, when looking back on some of the songs, felt like I could "gas them up" but decided against it, thinking back on the feelings I had playing the songs when I originally wrote them and ultimately wanting that to be the vibe of the album. I wanted the vocal tracks to sound similar to Justin Townes Earle's debut album "Yuma," and the instrumental tracks took care of themselves.

 Dedicated to the countless amazing artists I've listened to and learned from, without the inspiring work of so many, I would have given up hope.

Many genuine thanks to my amazing wife, the Lankford men before me, Monte Cristo, and D&S Outdoors. Also thanks to Recording King for making the guitars played on the album, I love them dearly.  

1. Time Goes On - Written a couple years ago for my best friend during a tough time for both of us.
Researchers may find amusing a link between the chorus of this song and a song from a great animated show.

~

2. Waltz Of The Orange Butterfly - Deep in the pines of Idaho there is a butterfly that dances a waltz all alone. They allowed me to observe, and I composed this piece for them. They were not impressed but said thank you anyways.
~

3. Messed Up Kids - A song sang on many long nights in the hills of Idaho. After I wrote this song, the verses began to come true. Odd how that happens.
~

4. I’d Like To - Written years ago in a particularly pessimistic state I was in. Originally done in a fingerpicking style I cannot replicate because it wasn't actually any style, just young me not knowing how to play the guitar.
~

5. I’ve Touched The Water(Of Many Rivers) -
"I've touched the water of many rivers,
stood atop the highest peeks.
And my favorite part about them all,
Is they just listen when I speak"
Found etched into a stone I found... I promptly threw the stone as far as I could, not wanting to risk an otherworldly hex being placed upon me.
~

6. Kilchis River Revelations - A day on the banks of the Kilchis and a dream later that night. The next morning, this song was finished. One of my personal favorites.
~

7. Deep In A Rut - A simple song. What I imagine goes through many a lonely barfly's head as they sit in the small taverns of my hometown.
~

8. Trevor’s Trance - Trevor, the Terrifying & Tubby Tabby, can be Thought of and Theoretically Treasured on his Throne at the Tillamook Tennessee Tricentennial Tourist Trailer Tethering area.
A ragtime raga written for a very special cat.
~

9. Midnight Drive - Have taken many, will take many more… There's just something I love about this song, pure fun.
Inspired by the great Justin Townes Earle and J.J. Cale
~

10. Kilchis River Revelations Reprise - Going back to the revelations that one has once made can show that they were misunderstood at first, but correct as time went on, thus creating another revelation.
The dobro sound at the beginning of this track was recorded in Idaho in January '23.