"It takes persistence to change the old ways - revolutions are only beginnings"
Virtual America - 2003
Robert Bruce Scott: Vocals, Piano, Organ, Guitars, Bass Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Celtic Harp, Cowhorns, The Singing Treholipe
In 2004, Robert Bruce Scott joined forces with Jonathan Silpayamanant to create il Troubadore - Indy's 16th Century Rock Band. il Troubadore has garnered notoriety in and around Indianapolis for their offbeat covers of popular music from the 11th century to present, their unusual instrumental approach (mandolin and cello). For more information, go to www.troubadore.com
Robert's 5th cd - Virtual America - has absolutely nothing in common with the il Troubadore sound. Largely piano and organ based, the album mixes gospel, country and metal in a dizzying kaleidoscope of styles.
"I'm talking about America here - Christianity, good old country folk, prejudice, bullies, the Internet, commercialism, and hope for the future - good things and bad - it's all about America..."
"In the midst of tribulation, Lord, stand by me..."
"...it's a part of the story of America - a people that are proud and tough and true..."
"...but no one knew John was a woman..."
"...and those seven deadly sins, well I have sinned them every one..."
"...Christian, you know that sometimes you seem to move too fast..."
"...it's like a second language - a secret code passed along the Internet..."
"...where everyone wants to be your buddy - and you know this one is strictly for you..."
"...the Dead aren't all dead, there's just one of them gone..."
"...and one heart looks for another - and that's all right."
"Here's why I wrote these songs:
Stand By Me - I didn't write this one - Charles A. Tindley did. This 19th century spiritual can be a rip-roaring gospel tune. Whenever I performed it in the Presbyterian church, the blue hairs stood on end - it sounds more like something you might expect to hear in an AME church.
This Old Mountain Highway - A former co-worker of mine, Marvin Mettler, told me of a trip to Tennessee. He was driving along this old mountain highway and swore he saw Abraham Lincoln walking down the road. He gave the man a ride and found out the man in his car was Charles Lincoln - a direct descendant of the president who often played the part of his ancestor in some local festival. Marvin's story about that trip inspired this country tune. I used the Celtic harp instead of the organ to fill this one out along with some Oak Ridge Boys type 4-part harmony and some quick bluegrass riffs on the guitar.
Sweet Adeline - I haven't a clue how I came up with this one. Whenever people hear the third verse they laugh so hard they spill their drinks. Drinking while listening to this song is not recommended - even though I conceived of it as a drinking song. It's a song about a bully. I have no idea why it reminds me of Pacobel's canon.
Track 8 - naw - I'm not gonna touch this one.
That Old Time Religion - A friend of mine gave me a bizarre looking instrument that calls itself "The Singing Treholipe" and challenged me to "play this and I'll give it to you." I realized that it was simply a ukulele with an inferiority complex (there's a picture of it on the resident webpage on the cd) and was able to tune it with a pair of channel locks. This was the song that came out. I picture a revival tent full of people playing hand percussion instruments on this one.
Christian - The lyrics to this song are deliberately ambiguous. It started as a song to a pushy girl but the song changed entirely...
Thanks Be To God - This is a piano solo. I miss my baby grand!!! I guess I could ship it up here, get rid of my bed and sleep on the floor under it... The title of the song is from the last four notes in which the piano quickly says, "Thanks Be To God." Presumably in relief that the song is over...
Virtual - This was a dream song and the hardest rock song on this cd. I heard the opening keyboard and guitar riffs in a dream and had to get up and write the song. Dream songs (like Chain of Evil {see The Light on cdbaby.com}) write themselves in minutes after I get up. "Virtual people with virtual addresses get virtual letters from their virtual friends. They find virtual problems for virtual solutions - it's virtual work for virtual wages - it's a virtual world out there if you can get in..."
Commercial America - I used to be a T.V. News photographer. While I was out on a shoot, I came up with this duet. It is one of the few songs I have written that started with the vocals and lyrics instead of starting with an instrumental riff. I wrote and arranged this song to sound like the commercials it spoofs.
The Times Are Changing Again - Another dream song. I dreamed of Billy Joel singing it and playing it on piano - "yes the times, they are a changing (dramatic pause) again...." The lyrics are part commentary on our times and part tribute to Bob Dylan's lyrics along with mention of the death of Jerry Garcia ("the Dead aren't all dead, there's just one of them gone...") I'm tempted to mail a single of this one to the Howard Dean campaign for kicks. "It takes persistence to change the old ways - revolutions are only beginnings"
Forever and Ever - Human love doesn't last forever. We don't last forever. "You're looking for forever and ever or something like 'I'll love you till the end of time...'" This song was inspired by the great love ballads of Journey. I didn't realize it was so much like a Journey song until I added the lead guitar.
Libra Me - I didn't write this one, Gabriel Faure did. This is part of his Requiem and one of the most beautiful baritone solos I have ever learned. I usually sing tenor these days, but I was trained as an operatic baritone."
Robert Bruce Scott discography:
Three Trees and Friends - Christmas on the Boulevard (1998)
...a collection of classic and original christmas songs performed by more than 20 musicians from Lawton, Oklahoma. Availability: contact robert@ArtistStudio.com
The Source - Embryo / Three Trees - nut (1999)
...two albums on one cd. The Source was David Christian Anderson, Casey Alexander Gray and Robert Bruce Scott. Three Trees was David (Jones) Smith, Casey Alexander Gray and Robert Bruce Scott. Embryo is AOR, nut is folk/classical/alternative. Availability: contact robert@ArtistStudio.com
The Troubadour - BONNIE ROSE (2002)
...classic and original folk songs and Italian arias arranged for mandolin, two voices, tambourine and bassoon. Susan Diekman, Bassoon; Martha Aponte, Alto; Robert Bruce Scott. Availability: contact robert@ArtistStudio.com
Robert Bruce Scott - The Light (2003)
...album oriented rock. Additional vocals by Cody Dorrell, Lisa Owen-Carlson and Danielle Bailey. Availibility: http://www.cdbaby.com/rbs
Robert Bruce Scott - Virtual America (2003)
...gospel, country and rock. Availibility: http://www.cdbaby.com/rbs2
Robert Bruce Scott - Killing Time (2004)
...rock, rock and roll. Availability: http://www.cdbaby.com/rbs3
Robert Bruce Scott - Woody (2006)
...glistening acoustic rock. Evelyn Johnson - additional vocals; Jonathan Silpayamanant - cello. Availability: http://www.cdbaby.com/rbs4
###
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rbs3
Track List:
1. Stand By Me
2. This Old Mountain Highway
3. Sweet Adeline
4. Track 8
5. That Old Time Religeon
6. Christian
7. Thanks Be To God
8. Virtual
9. Commercial America
10. The Times Are Changing Again
11. Forever and Ever
12. Libra Me
Other Genres:
Virtual America - 2003
Robert Bruce Scott: Vocals, Piano, Organ, Guitars, Bass Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Celtic Harp, Cowhorns, The Singing Treholipe
In 2004, Robert Bruce Scott joined forces with Jonathan Silpayamanant to create il Troubadore - Indy's 16th Century Rock Band. il Troubadore has garnered notoriety in and around Indianapolis for their offbeat covers of popular music from the 11th century to present, their unusual instrumental approach (mandolin and cello). For more information, go to www.troubadore.com
Robert's 5th cd - Virtual America - has absolutely nothing in common with the il Troubadore sound. Largely piano and organ based, the album mixes gospel, country and metal in a dizzying kaleidoscope of styles.
"I'm talking about America here - Christianity, good old country folk, prejudice, bullies, the Internet, commercialism, and hope for the future - good things and bad - it's all about America..."
"In the midst of tribulation, Lord, stand by me..."
"...it's a part of the story of America - a people that are proud and tough and true..."
"...but no one knew John was a woman..."
"...and those seven deadly sins, well I have sinned them every one..."
"...Christian, you know that sometimes you seem to move too fast..."
"...it's like a second language - a secret code passed along the Internet..."
"...where everyone wants to be your buddy - and you know this one is strictly for you..."
"...the Dead aren't all dead, there's just one of them gone..."
"...and one heart looks for another - and that's all right."
"Here's why I wrote these songs:
Stand By Me - I didn't write this one - Charles A. Tindley did. This 19th century spiritual can be a rip-roaring gospel tune. Whenever I performed it in the Presbyterian church, the blue hairs stood on end - it sounds more like something you might expect to hear in an AME church.
This Old Mountain Highway - A former co-worker of mine, Marvin Mettler, told me of a trip to Tennessee. He was driving along this old mountain highway and swore he saw Abraham Lincoln walking down the road. He gave the man a ride and found out the man in his car was Charles Lincoln - a direct descendant of the president who often played the part of his ancestor in some local festival. Marvin's story about that trip inspired this country tune. I used the Celtic harp instead of the organ to fill this one out along with some Oak Ridge Boys type 4-part harmony and some quick bluegrass riffs on the guitar.
Sweet Adeline - I haven't a clue how I came up with this one. Whenever people hear the third verse they laugh so hard they spill their drinks. Drinking while listening to this song is not recommended - even though I conceived of it as a drinking song. It's a song about a bully. I have no idea why it reminds me of Pacobel's canon.
Track 8 - naw - I'm not gonna touch this one.
That Old Time Religion - A friend of mine gave me a bizarre looking instrument that calls itself "The Singing Treholipe" and challenged me to "play this and I'll give it to you." I realized that it was simply a ukulele with an inferiority complex (there's a picture of it on the resident webpage on the cd) and was able to tune it with a pair of channel locks. This was the song that came out. I picture a revival tent full of people playing hand percussion instruments on this one.
Christian - The lyrics to this song are deliberately ambiguous. It started as a song to a pushy girl but the song changed entirely...
Thanks Be To God - This is a piano solo. I miss my baby grand!!! I guess I could ship it up here, get rid of my bed and sleep on the floor under it... The title of the song is from the last four notes in which the piano quickly says, "Thanks Be To God." Presumably in relief that the song is over...
Virtual - This was a dream song and the hardest rock song on this cd. I heard the opening keyboard and guitar riffs in a dream and had to get up and write the song. Dream songs (like Chain of Evil {see The Light on cdbaby.com}) write themselves in minutes after I get up. "Virtual people with virtual addresses get virtual letters from their virtual friends. They find virtual problems for virtual solutions - it's virtual work for virtual wages - it's a virtual world out there if you can get in..."
Commercial America - I used to be a T.V. News photographer. While I was out on a shoot, I came up with this duet. It is one of the few songs I have written that started with the vocals and lyrics instead of starting with an instrumental riff. I wrote and arranged this song to sound like the commercials it spoofs.
The Times Are Changing Again - Another dream song. I dreamed of Billy Joel singing it and playing it on piano - "yes the times, they are a changing (dramatic pause) again...." The lyrics are part commentary on our times and part tribute to Bob Dylan's lyrics along with mention of the death of Jerry Garcia ("the Dead aren't all dead, there's just one of them gone...") I'm tempted to mail a single of this one to the Howard Dean campaign for kicks. "It takes persistence to change the old ways - revolutions are only beginnings"
Forever and Ever - Human love doesn't last forever. We don't last forever. "You're looking for forever and ever or something like 'I'll love you till the end of time...'" This song was inspired by the great love ballads of Journey. I didn't realize it was so much like a Journey song until I added the lead guitar.
Libra Me - I didn't write this one, Gabriel Faure did. This is part of his Requiem and one of the most beautiful baritone solos I have ever learned. I usually sing tenor these days, but I was trained as an operatic baritone."
Robert Bruce Scott discography:
Three Trees and Friends - Christmas on the Boulevard (1998)
...a collection of classic and original christmas songs performed by more than 20 musicians from Lawton, Oklahoma. Availability: contact robert@ArtistStudio.com
The Source - Embryo / Three Trees - nut (1999)
...two albums on one cd. The Source was David Christian Anderson, Casey Alexander Gray and Robert Bruce Scott. Three Trees was David (Jones) Smith, Casey Alexander Gray and Robert Bruce Scott. Embryo is AOR, nut is folk/classical/alternative. Availability: contact robert@ArtistStudio.com
The Troubadour - BONNIE ROSE (2002)
...classic and original folk songs and Italian arias arranged for mandolin, two voices, tambourine and bassoon. Susan Diekman, Bassoon; Martha Aponte, Alto; Robert Bruce Scott. Availability: contact robert@ArtistStudio.com
Robert Bruce Scott - The Light (2003)
...album oriented rock. Additional vocals by Cody Dorrell, Lisa Owen-Carlson and Danielle Bailey. Availibility: http://www.cdbaby.com/rbs
Robert Bruce Scott - Virtual America (2003)
...gospel, country and rock. Availibility: http://www.cdbaby.com/rbs2
Robert Bruce Scott - Killing Time (2004)
...rock, rock and roll. Availability: http://www.cdbaby.com/rbs3
Robert Bruce Scott - Woody (2006)
...glistening acoustic rock. Evelyn Johnson - additional vocals; Jonathan Silpayamanant - cello. Availability: http://www.cdbaby.com/rbs4
###
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rbs3
Track List:
1. Stand By Me
2. This Old Mountain Highway
3. Sweet Adeline
4. Track 8
5. That Old Time Religeon
6. Christian
7. Thanks Be To God
8. Virtual
9. Commercial America
10. The Times Are Changing Again
11. Forever and Ever
12. Libra Me
Other Genres:
- GOSPEL: Traditional Gospel
- ROCK: Classic Rock
- SOLO MALE ARTIST