Lance Russwurm

SONG DESCRIPTION & MUSICIANS on “SELF PORTRAIT”

 

 

 

1) GET RHYTHM, WE'RE ALL BOPPING THE BLUES – by Lance Russwurm

This is my tribute to the early Rockabilly sound of Sun Records in the fifties. And, it's more than a little autobiographical.

 

• Vocals, background vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar and fingerpicked electric guitar: Lance Russwurm

• Lead Guitar on the solo: Barry “Snake” Klein

• Second electric guitar and background vocals: Al Widmeyer

• “Slap” upright bass: Jay Caruthers

• Drums and background vocals: Grant Heywood

 

 

2) A GIRL IN THE NIGHT - by Hank Thompson

This song, officially credited to Hank Thompson, was originally written by my Dad, Lynn Russwurm. He collaborated on songwriting a few times with Hank Thompson, starting back in the fifties. Hank bought this particular song outright from Dad, and then extensively re-wrote it. Hank recorded a version himself, then placed it with Ray Price, who also recorded it on an album. Ray made slight changes to the melody and did it up in his own classic style. The song is very similar to Ray's later huge hit, “City Lights”, which was written by Bill Anderson, but this song was released first by Ray.

On my version, I definitely go after that Ray Price feel.

 

• Lead vocals and acoustic rhythm guitar: Lance Russwurm

• Fiddle: Dan Howlett

• Steel Guitar: Mike Weber

• Bass guitar and electric guitar: Al Widmeyer

• Drums: Grant Heywood

• Background vocals: Guylaine Basque and Kathy Kirker

 

 

3) RAISE A GLASS TO THE PAST – by Lance Russwurm

A nostalgic look back on lost youth and dreams. I drew on memories of growing up in Waterloo, Ontario. But, as the saying goes: “You can never go home again”

 

• Lead vocals: Lance RusswurmFiddle: Dan Howlett

• Steel guitar: Mike Weber:

• Electric bass: Al Widmeyer:

• Drums: Grant Heywood

• Background vocals: Guylaine Basque & Kathy Kirker

 

 

4) IT'S A LIVING – by Lance Russwurm & Gerry Boppre

Gerry and I used to play together way back in the eighties and we collaborated on a several songs, but nothing was done with them. I recently dug this one out and was drawn to the plight of the working man who hates the job he must go to. I added a classic outlaw sound to Gerry's lyrics and loved how it turned out.

 

• Lead and harmony vocals and rhythm acoustic guitar: Lance Russwurm

• Lead Guitars , Dobro and electric bass: Al Widmeyer

• Mandolin: Dan Howlett

• Drums: Grant Heywood

• Background Vocals: Guylaine Basque & Kathy Kirker

 

 

 

5) I CAST A LONESOME SHADOW – by Lynn Russwurm & Hank Thompson

This song has a really interesting history. Dad co-wrote this one with country star Hank Thompson, way back in 1961. They corresponded back then, and Hank did a few of Dad's songs. I loved this song when I was kid. It had kind of a "spooky" feel to it. I read a review some years back of this song on a re-release. (Probably the excellent one by Bear Family in Germany) The reviewer said something to the effect that it was one of Hank's best songs, but it was too strange to be a hit back in the early sixties! Hank is quoted as saying that the idea of the song reminded him of Edgar Allen Poe's “The Raven”. It certainly has lots of poetic imagery! We were all very surprised when, about ten years ago, Martin L. Gore, from the English electronic pop band "Depeche Mode", released a VERY different version of this song on his solo album, "Counterfeit 2". Dad got a kick out of this techno-pop version! It has since been covered by a few punk and rockabilly bands - most recently by the UK rockabilly group, "The Dangerous Curves". I did a version back in 1975 with Dad's Band “The Hummingbirds”. And, I just had to do another version on this CD!

• Lead and background vocals and lead guitar and rhythm guitar: Lance Russwurm

• Pedal Steel Guitar: Mike Weber

• Fiddle and Mandolin: Dan Howlett

• Electric Bass: Al Widmeyer

• Drums: Grant Heywood

• Background Vocals: Guylaine Basque & Kathy Kirker

 

 

 

6) MY BUCKET'S GOT A HOLE IN IT – by Clarence Williams

As I mention in the liner notes, this Hank Williams classic (surprisingly, not written by Hank, but by another Williams back in the 20s) is literally the first song I can remember hearing back when I was three years old. Had to do a version for myself. We went with a bluesy groove.

 

• Lead Vocals and rhythm guitar: Lance Russwurm

• Lead and rhythm guitar: Al Widmeyer

• Piano: Mike Eeedy

• Drums: Grant Heywood

• Background vocals: Al Widmeyer, Grant Heywood and Lance Russwurm

 

 

 

7) WON'T YOU RIDE IN MY LITTLE RED WAGON – by Rex Griffin

I've always loved the sound of Hank Thompson's Western Swing Band, “The Brazos Valley Boys”. I grew up with it. So, I did a couple of their tunes on this CD and this is one of them.

 

• Lead vocals and electric rhythm: Lance Russwurm

• Rhythm guitar: Lynn Russwurm

• Fiddle: Dan Howlett

• Pedal Steel guitar: Mike Weber

• Piano: Mike Eedy

 

 

 

8) I DIDN'T PLAN IT THAT WAY – by Lynn Russwurm

Dad proves here that he can write an emotional country ballad with the best of 'em!

 

• Lead vocals and rhythm guitar: Lance Russwurm

• Pedal Steel Guitar: Mike Weber

• Fiddle: Dan Howlett

• Bass: Al Widmeyer

• Drums: Grant Heywood

 

 

 

9) WILD HEART – by Lynn Russwurm

One of our “Bakersfield sound songs on this CD...lots of twang and a shuffle beat!

 

• Lead vocals and rhythm guitar: Lance Russwurm

• Lead standard and baritone guitar: Al Widmeyer

• Electric Bass: Al Widmeyer

• Drums: Grant Heywood

• Harmony vocals: Guylaine Basque & Kathy Kirker

 

 

 

10) IN THE BLUE ROOM – by Lynn Russwurm

Another heartbreaker by Dad. We went for a classic, early sixties “Nashville Sound”

 

• Lead Vocals, acoustic and electric rhythm guitar: Lance Russwurm

• Pedal Steel Guitar: Mike Weber

• Fiddle: Dan Howlett

• Piano: Mike Eedy

• Bass: Al Widmeyer

• Background Vocals: Guylaine Basque & Kathy Kirker

 

 

 

11) SIX PACK TO GO – Hank Thompson, Johnny Lowe and Dick Hart

Another Hank Thompson hit from about 1959 – a classic drinking song with a classic swing tempo.

 

• Lead Vocals and electric guitar: Lance Russwurm

• Rhythm guitar: Lynn Russwurm

• Pedal Steel Guitar: Mike Weber

• Fiddle: Dan Howlett

• Electric Bass: Al Widmeyer

• Drums: Grant Heywood

 

12) STAYING AT HOME WITH THE BLUES – by Lynn Russwurm

Another “Bakersfield sound” entry written by Dad. Nothing like twanging telecasters!

 

• Lead Vocals and rhythm acoustic guitar: Lance Russwurm

• Lead guitar, bass and harmony vocals: Al Widmeyer

• Drums: Grant Heywood

 

 

 

13) I DREAMED OF YOU LAST NIGHT – by Lance Russwurm

A song of longing for someone lost at the time. Sad, I know – but she did come back!

 

• Lead vocals and rhythm acoustic guitar: Lance Russwurm

• Pedal Steel Guitar: Mike Weber

• Fiddle: Dan Howlet

• Drums: Grant Heywood

• Electric Bass: Al Widmeyer

• Background Vocals: Guylaine Basque & Kathy Kirker

 

 

 

14) HOBO'S LULLABY – Goebel Reeves

This song is so simple, yet it packs an emotional wallop! Written in the twenties, it was a staple song for Woody Guthrie during the depression.. Everyone else seems to have done it too, including Woody's son, Arlo, and Emmy Lou Harris. So I had to do it too. A simple “folky”, acoustic arrangement seemed right.

 

• Lead Vocals and 2nd Acoustic Guitar: Lance Russwurm

• Flatpicked Lead acoustic Guitar: Al Widmeyer

• Bass guitar: Al Widmeyer

 

 

 

15) THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN – by Lance Russwurm

Another Rockabilly ditty.

 

• Lead vocals, fingerpicked electric Guitar and blues tag at the end: Lance Russwurm

• Lead guitar solo: Barry “Snake” Klein

• Rockabilly “Slap” Upright Bass: Jay Caruthers

• Drums: Grant Heywood

• Background vocals: Grant Heywood, Al Widmeyer & Lance Russwurm

 

 

 

16) MOANIN' THE BLUES – by Hank Williams

I've always loved old Hank tunes, so I do several of his here.

 

• Lead vocals and acoustic and electric rhythm guitar: Lance Russwurm

• Fiddle: Dan Howlett

• Pedal Steel Guitar: Mike Weber

• Stand Up Bass: Lynn Russwurm

• Drums: Grant Heywood

 

 

 

17) THE GIRL IN THE BLUE FLAME CAFE – by Lynn Russwurm

Another classic country tune by Dad, propelled by a swing rhythm.

 

• Lead Vocals: Lance Russwurm

• Rhythm Guitar: Lynn Russwurm

• Stand Up Bass: Lynn Russwurm

• Fiddle: Dan Howlett

• Pedal Steel Guitar: Mike Weber

• Drums: Grant Heywood

 

 

 

18) GONE'S A LONESOME WORD- by Lynn Russwurm and Larry Mercey

I remembered hearing and liking this song on a demo when I was kid. I came across it while looking for material recently, and here it is. Some more classic country!

 

• Lead Vocals and rhythm guitar: Lance Russwurm

• Lead guitar and electric bass: Al Widmeyer

• Pedal Steel Guitar: Mike Weber

• Fiddle: Dan Howlett

• Drums: Grant Heywood

• Background and harmony vocals: Guylaine Basque & Kathy Kirker

 

 

 

19) THERE'LL BE NO TEARDROPS TONIGHT - by Hank Williams

We really “swung” this one up! I like to think that Hank would approve, though.

 

• Lead vocals and electric guitar: Lance Russwurm

• Rhythm Guitar: Lynn Russwurm

• Fiddle: Dan Howlett

• Pedal Steel Guitar: Mike Weber

• Stand Up Bass: Lynn Russwurm

• Drums: Grant Heywood

 

 

20) WHEN THE GOSSIP GETS AROUND – by Lance Russwurm

A “story song”. I couldn't get a handle on how to arrange this one at first. Almost went with a “classic rock” feel...but it didn't quite work. And one day, it just fell into place – with a semi- Bluegrass arrangement and Al Widmeyer's multi-instrumentalist talent being a big help!

 

• Lead vocals and rhythm guitar: Lance Russwurm

• Flatpicked acoustic lead, dobro, fiddle and mandolin: Al Widmeyer

• 5 String banjo: Larry Johnston

• Bass: Al Widmeyer

• Drums: Grant Heywood

• Background and harmony Vocals: Grant Heywood & Al Widmeyer