Walt Richards

 

The latest from Trails & Rails

From Way Out West

Growing up in the silver screen era, Walt Richards and Paula Strong spent many a Saturday at the movies watching Westerns - or sitting near the radio listening to their favorite cowboy shows. Living in the West, along with this early immersion in the "Cowboy Way", sparked an interest for both of them in all things western. After years of varied musical experiences, they found Western Music and, with their mutual love of history, everything came together.

As interpreters of this music, they feel privileged to have been in contact with some of today's finest Western songwriters. The tradition is alive and well and they feel fortunate to have the opportunity to help carry it on. Walt and Paula are joined by Bruce Huntington, who adds his song-writing talent as well as harmony and very tasteful bass playing and by excellent instrumentalist Ken Wilcox on guitar and that famous trail instrument - the autoharp - as well as on lead and harmony vocals. Bruce and Ken join Trails & Rails in live performances when they can, as does neuroscientist, Dave Edelman. Everyone loves his spontaneous fiddle surprises. As you listen you will hear several songs with a southwest flavor. Living right on the border, we have come to appreciate the rich musical contributions of our neighbors to the south.

 

From Way Out West

1) Nighttime Out On The Range	3:36	Campbell / Wagoner
2) Night Train Down The Yellowstone	3:11	Buffham / Bryant
3) Tres Bells Of Ol' Gran Boquillas	4:52	Buffham / Fleming
4) Echoes of the Trail	3:02	Kendrick
5) Old Dance Tune Medley	2:26	Traditional
6) The Vaquero Song	4:42	Stamey
7) Seven Spanish Angles	4:14	Seals / Setzer
8) If You Would Dance With Me	4:29	Huntington
9) Arizona Wind	2:51	Buffham / Lay
10) Harvey Girl	3:14	Grombacher
11) Last Steam Engine Train	2:28	Fahey / Kottke
12) Sueño	4:12	Staines
13) The Wire and The Rail	3:44	Fleming
14) Keepin' It Cowboy	3:14	O'Dell

 

Walt Richards: Lead and Harmony vocals
Lead Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin

Paula Strong: Lead and Harmony vocals
Rhythm Guitar / Mandolin Lead on Track 12

Ken Wilcox : Vocals: Lead on Track 7 and Harmony
Guitar and Autoharp: leads and fills

Bruce Huntington: Vocal Harmony
Upright and Electric Bass - Our Heartbeat!

Dave Edelman: Guest Fiddle on Tracks 2, 4, 6 and 14

 

Recorded in live mix at Double Time Studio in El Cajon, CA
Mixed by Jeff Forrest and Trails & Rails - Mastered by Jeff Forrest
Duplicated by Carl McKellips at WingSpan Studio in National City, CA

Special thanks to the fine instrument makers who make playing music such a joy.
Introducing Carr Guitars by John Bartlett,
as well as instruments by Deering, Ome, Taylor
and a brand new Pete D'Aigle autoharp.

Cover design / Insert by Tom Deaton / Paula Strong
Photography by Greg Crowder
http://www.gregcrowderphotography.com/

Songs used by permission from the respective songwriters
or The Harry Fox Agency.

 

Produced by Walt Richards - September 2006 ®

To order the CD From Way Out West, go to CD Baby

http://www.CDBaby.com/cd/trailsrails3

 

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                                                                        (Greg Crowder Photography)

Walt Richards and Paula Strong

Trails & Rails

Duo Harmony Winners
Western Music Association Festival
November 2005

 

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Walt's solo CD

Instrumental Expressions

 

Consciously and unconciously, I have been influenced by many musicians throughout my life. They have helped me enjoy the gifts of harmony and rhythm and to realize that playing music leads one onto a never-ending learning curve.

I was recently listening to a "Best of - " Les Paul and Mary Ford and I noticed musical passages that I play - I thought I made them up! I didn't! I heard those when I was very young, years before I started to play guitar as a teenager. I give thanks to all those wonderful people who inspired me.

Music has been my life: playing; arranging; teaching. Certain melodies capture my attention and I have to learn them. Songs that I couldn't vocalize, I would try to arrange instrumentally - letting the guitar, or mandolin, or banjo(!) do the singing.

I love the tunes chosen for this CD. They provide memories, they inspire, they feed my soul.
I hope that some of them may do the same for you.

--Walt

Instrumental Expressions

Walt Richards

Special thanks to:

• Paula for a "Strong" backup on guitar and mandolin
• Chris Vitas - one of the best violin players I know, and a genius in the studio, for his contributions on Tennessee Waltz, Fisher's Hornpipe, New Camptown Races and Dear Old Dixie
• Vickie Cottle and Paula Strong - for being the "angel choir" on Johnny Has Gone For A Soldier
• Jeff Forrest at Doubletime Studio, El Cajon for recording, mixing and mastering this CD
  His patience and encouragement made this project a joy
• Tom Deaton for the perfect cover art
• Carl McKellips of WingSpan Studio in National City for duplication as well as support and collaboration on many projects over the years

Produced by Walt Richards - 2004 ®

To order the CD Instrumental Expressions, go to CD Baby

http://cdbaby.com/cd/waltrichards