“AS MUCH A FILM PROJECT AS IT WAS A RECORDING PROJECT”
The Still Wilson origin story began – more or less – as a “pandemic lockdown project” for vocalist/guitarist/composer, Woody Russell. Early March of 2020, a video was being filmed for the song “Lovely Mess”. By mid-month all performances, touring and other plans had completely stopped due to the uncertainty of the Covid pandemic. By April that first video was released as part of an ambitious 6-song cycle of releases from mid-April to mid-July. The project also features Woody Russell band alumni, trumpeter, John Spears, saxophonist, Dez Desormeaux and pianist, Lloyd Gil Wright on various tracks.
I wanted to explore a concept that was just based in the recording
studio and then pair each song with a video. The idea of branding
them differently, releasing it under another name, was part
of the experiment. It’s a unique project, as much a film
project, as it was a recording project. I also feel that
some of my best jazz leaning tracks, both vocally
and as a guitarist, emerged from these sessions,
featuring some of the finest musicians
I’ve worked with.
SINGLES
Drawing from a genuinely deep well of musical influences Woody Russell will name songwriters, guitarists, vocalists and other varied instrumentalists from every corner of recorded music history whose work informs his approach to the craft. “I grew up fascinated by all kinds of musicians; not only guitarists.” Though initially quick to mention his love of jazz, Woody also includes a history of the ‘heart on your sleeve’ classic country songs, plaintive Irish ballads and many legendary tunesmiths – especially those 70’s era songwriters and bands from his childhood when he tuned the FM dial. “Late at night, I could occasionally dial up FM stations that seemed to be from another planet. Songs are significant touchstones for my memories, my experiences, throughout my life.”
It could be that his guitar and vocal skills overshadow mention-worthy talents as a word-smith. That noted, Russell is an equally formidable lyricist. “I’ve never considered myself a poet or writer of any grand skill, but I have, out of necessity and curiosity, paid a great deal of attention to crafting lyrics.” His writing is similarly diverse in that he is as fond of character portrayals as he is of more personal, inward looking lyricism. “The lyric has to meet a certain standard I set for myself, but if I wouldn’t say it to you in person, it probably won’t make it in to a song. I find it’s just about honesty, a willingness to be a bit vulnerable. Or sometimes it’s just for the joy built in to a good turn of phrase.“
Lovely Mess is the debut single of Still Wilson, Woody Russell’s “pandemic lockdown project” featuring trumpeter, John Spears. “It’s a gentle rolling rumination on the challenges and beauty we share across our collective human experience.”
Released April 17, 2020
Composed, Produced and Engineered
by Woody Russell
Recorded at Green Shoe Studio – Austin, Texas
Mastered by Mark Wingfield – Heron Island Studio (UK)
Open To The Wonder is the second Still Wilson single in a series of six songs released April through July of 2020. Russell’s performance here reveals a patina of influence from both classic 70’s era song-craft and melancholy Celtic music. Understated guitar playing shows the thoughtful restraint of a serious player. His baritone voice conveys an equally thoughtful lyrical consideration for us all. Woody adds, “We too easily let go of, are even encouraged to ignore after childhood, the wonder inherent of so much of our life’s experience. We’d do well to remember the value of remaining open to some of that magic when it feels like the shine is starting to wear off.”
Released May 8, 2020
Composed, Produced and Engineered
by Woody Russell
Recorded at Green Shoe Studio – Austin, Texas
Mastered by Mark Wingfield – Heron Island Studio (UK)
Walking Each Other Home is the third of six releases in a collection of songs given free to fans between April and July of 2020. As with its predecessors, the single is paired with a beautiful video offering a deeper dive in to this artist’s vision.
“We are all just walking each other home” is a quote credited to Ram Dass. A powerful sentiment, naturally it’s been borrowed by a handful of songwriters. Russell’s lyric examines his take on the inevitable passage of time and the connections we nurture throughout our lives with loved ones and partners. Though not all rosy, we’re reminded of the darker moments we encounter, as well. But, by the time his buoyant guitar solo kicks in we are handed the keys to a top down joyride (the video is a must see, if only for this moment alone). Upbeat, framed with memorable guitar riffs and punching up from a solid 4/4 pocket, Walking Each Other Home is also balanced by ambient, dreamy passages spanning this nearly six-minute time capsule. The songwriting, the sophisticated arrangement and performance here find Woody Russell in that rarified air of additionally being considered a “musician’s songwriter”.
Released May 29, 2020
Composed, Produced and Engineered
by Woody Russell
Recorded at Green Shoe Studio – Austin, Texas
Mastered by Mark Wingfield – Heron Island Studio (UK)
You is the fourth single from Woody Russell’s “Still Wilson” release series and features the saxophonist, Dez Desormeaux and pianist Lloyd Gil Wright (also featured on Again, January). The song is the oldest recording of the set, dating back to mid-2018, when this particular trio was touring. It’s a ” melancholy love song, for lack of a better term”, notes Russell, “and the video conveys it’s sensual side, as well.”
Released June 19, 2020
Composed, Produced and Engineered
by Woody Russell
Recorded at Green Shoe Studio – Austin, Texas
Mastered by Mark Wingfield – Heron Island Studio (UK)
The Art Of Longing is the fifth single Woody Russell’s prolific “Still Wilson” project; again featuring sublime playing by John Spears on flugelhorn and trumpet. Also joining the session again is pianist Lloyd Gil Wright on B3 and synths. A contemporary electronic underpinning sets the moody, ambient feel here. Woody’s easy baritone delivers a clever lyric drawing upon common phrases one might use when discussing fine art to “paint” more intimate, personal descriptions of our human desire for acceptance, romantic love and connection.
Released July 10, 2020
Composed, Produced and Engineered
by Woody Russell
Recorded at Green Shoe Studio – Austin, Texas
Mastered by Mark Wingfield – Heron Island Studio (UK)
The final installment of Woody Russell’s “Still Wilson” project; the six-song + video release series (April – July 2020), Tearing Down The Palace, shines a vivid light on the effects of greed, framed as the toppling of a “king” who embodies the sociopathy, the rot, at the very core of the conflict. The song and accompanying video were released at a specific moment when both a global pandemic and confrontations between protesters and the US administration were dominating every news cycle. However, Woody notes that the lyric was written well before the socio-political climate had reached that state.
“It’s not specifically about any situation; one would have to claim a certain omniscience to suggest that. That said, it is about the effects of greed at the top of the pyramid which are the centers of power in all societies. We just can’t seem to evolve beyond that greed.”
Woody offers that he is aiming to convey the perspective of the working class and the impoverished who are “simply trying to eat, to farm, to work, to have a voice and to survive. Greed is an ancient weapon that doesn’t belong to any one country or culture. The human cost, as a result, is a living nightmare for those under it’s boot heel; both historically and right here, right now.”
Released July 31, 2020
Composed, Produced and Engineered
by Woody Russell
Recorded at Green Shoe Studio – Austin, Texas
Mastered by Mark Wingfield – Heron Island Studio (UK)
A bonus Still Wilson track and video, here Woody Russell steps forward with his guitar front and center. This gentle, mid-winter folk-jazz instrumental track, Again, January, also featuring pianist Lloyd Gil Wright. Fan’s of the ECM label and guitarists such as Frisell, Lage, Metheny and Abercrombie will find a familiar sound to embrace in his playing and writing here.
Released July 26, 2019
Composed, Produced and Engineered
by Woody Russell
Recorded at Green Shoe Studio – Austin, Texas
Mastered by Mark Wingfield – Heron Island Studio (UK)
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