Lovin' In Vain : Liner Notes For My First Solo CD
By Chuck RitenouR
I recently released my first solo effort as a songwriter. This collection of songs was recorded in several friends' basements and in an old abandoned flower show. I play on all of the songs with the help of many of my friends. Below is the liner notes that give credit where it is deserved and due.
This cd is a like a portrait that has been painted on canvas.
It is true many of the brush strokes are my own. Yet I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge those vital brush strokes which were added by others.
First and foremost among them, Ralph Fortune. I may have produced the simple chord structure of these songs, but is Ralph's guitar that added the color and emotion. Ralph also engineered and produced several of these songs. When we first met in 1966, neither of us could have guessed at the life long friendship and mutual respect we would share.
Secondly, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Allen Lind and Jason Padilla. Both added their percussion skills as well as their engineering and producing skills without which this cd would not have flown. I will take this opportunity to mention the other notable percussionists contributing to this project: James Vaughan, Gary Peacemaker, Dave Smith and "Big Ed" Reedy.
A special mention and thanks to Tony Canard and Paul Moschetto for their guitar work.
I have had and opportunity over the years to work with many fine vocalists. I would like to thank Dewey Vaughan for his vocal contribution on The Man Who Died In Viet Nam.
I want to thank Savanna McCoy. Her vocals on Swing Me helped propel it to "Finalist" award in the Mid-Atlantic Songwriters' Contest in 2007. I have written many songs from the female point of view. Her voice graces four songs on this cd.
Also, I wish to thank the folks at National Media Services,Inc., 613 N. Commerce Ave., Front Royal, VA.22630
(www.NationalMediaServices.com) for their advice and production of the final product.
Finally, I want to thank Bobby Watt. I worked with Bobby in 1980-82 in Tallahassee, Florida. Bobby was the first successful songwriter I ever knew personally. He was my mentor and referred to himself as a songsmith. Bobby died several years ago. I doubt he ever knew the impact his life would have on mine.
