CD: The Story Never Ends
Artist: Rob Benson
Producer: Peter Calo
https://robbenson.hearnow.com/the-story-never-ends
We are going Track by Track with Rob Benson on
his 11 track CD, The Story Never Ends featuring
all new, original compositions by Rob
https://robbenson.hearnow.com/
1)A Way About Her (3:35)
An uptempo country song is an interesting opener for
The Story Never Ends CD - what inspired this tune,
Rob, and why the choice for first song?
RB:I wanted to start the album with a rocker, start off strong.
all new, original compositions by Rob
https://robbenson.hearnow.com/
1)A Way About Her (3:35)
An uptempo country song is an interesting opener for
The Story Never Ends CD - what inspired this tune,
Rob, and why the choice for first song?
RB:I wanted to start the album with a rocker, start off strong.
This is
another song praising the girl in one's life. Highlighted by
Mark Rivera
on saxophone and Jerry Marotta on drums.
2)Hey There Moonlight (4:07)
With elements of blues, and subtle influences
from Eric Clapton's rendition of J.J. Cale's "After
Midnight," even referencing the Cale title, a bit
more upbeat, we wonder what the lyrical inspiration
is, Rob?
RB: I wrote this song as a sort of symbolic reference to one's life.
2)Hey There Moonlight (4:07)
With elements of blues, and subtle influences
from Eric Clapton's rendition of J.J. Cale's "After
Midnight," even referencing the Cale title, a bit
more upbeat, we wonder what the lyrical inspiration
is, Rob?
RB: I wrote this song as a sort of symbolic reference to one's life.
Using
the sunlight and moonlight as metaphors to describe
how great life can
be, despite the ups and downs we go through.
With Rob Paparozzi on harp,
Jon Cobert on piano.
3)Don't Get Me Started (3:09)
With a re-focused direction from the previous
Under The Whispering Tree, and crystal-clear
sound from producer Peter Calo, it sounds
like the artist is painting the story of some
kind of conflict. The music is beautiful,
Rob, how did this song come to be?
RB: I was having a bad day at work one day,
3)Don't Get Me Started (3:09)
With a re-focused direction from the previous
Under The Whispering Tree, and crystal-clear
sound from producer Peter Calo, it sounds
like the artist is painting the story of some
kind of conflict. The music is beautiful,
Rob, how did this song come to be?
RB: I was having a bad day at work one day,
which prompted me to begin
complaining about the job in general.
Whenever someone would ask me
"what's going on" I would reply
"don't get me started". Someone remarked
that I should write a song
with that title, and so the song was born.
Again Mark Rivera on horns, Peter Calo with his incredible guitar work
and Jerry Marotta on drums.
4)A Child's Hero (3:35)
This song would be perfect for James Taylor,
especially how it goes back to Taylor's initial
days on the scene as a songwriter/singer. Did
you have James in mind?
RB: James Taylor was one of my heroes growing up. I wanted to be him so bad when I began writing songs. This is a tribute song from me to JT.
5)Top of the Hill (3:46)
Rock, pure original country, and a drive
that is direct, a natural. Who came up with
the diverse instrumentation and how did the
production develop?
RB: This is a song I wrote as part of a story I'm writing. I wanted to make it a country rock song, with a lot of lead guitar, for a dramatic effect. The musicians on this one did a great job, Jonny Dinklage on fiddle, Peter Calo on lead guitar and Jerry Marotta on drums. As usual Peter's production was amazing.
6)Girl I Love Your Smile (3:12)
The pop that we heard on Under The Whispering Tree
is back in a big way. It's glorious and memorable.
Who inspired this track, Rob?
RB: I wrote this for my girl Cheryl. I had the melody years ago and never was able to put it in song, but I finally found it. Powerful guitar by Peter, and Jerry Marotta on drums.
7)Amen 2:51
Mellow folk veering on pop ballad,
are there Gospel elements here or are
we made to feel Gospel as an undercurrent?
And what is the song's intent?
RB: This is just a simple love song, no religious undertones, just a big amen as a thank you. Jon Cobert on accordion and Jonny Dinklage on fiddle.
8)For Himself 3:23
Love the use of the instrumentation
and drum shuffle. Feels like a modernization
of Rick Nelson's successful singles from the 1960's
RB: This was a fun "sixties-ish" melody. Peter Calo did amazing guitar work as usual. Just a song about inner conflict and figuring things out on one's own.
9)Ballad of Johnny and Mary (4:32)
The music again shines, in a different way from "For Himself,"
but with the same authority. The guitar sound is mesmerizing.
Did you and Peter Calo come up with these musical themes?
So impressive.
RB: Thanks! I presented the song to Peter and he developed the great guitar sound and melody. And when Jerry added his drums and Mark added the horn sections it all came together in a great way. There is no Johnny And Mary, but I've known many "Johhny and Marys" if that makes any sense!
10)This Time (2:05)
Though country at heart, the genres slightly
move from folk to rock to neo-jazz on this
collection. Was this intentional at the songwriting
stage or did it develop as the album was tracked?
RB: This song was a straightforward and short song, as a follow up to an old song of mine. Peter added his touch to the song to finish it off nicely.
11)Lost in Nashville 4:13
What a terrific track to conclude the disc.
Did you write the first and eleventh tracks
with their placement in mind? And what
is the heart of this song about?
Rob: After a trip to Nashville, I decided to write a song about my experience there, walking around the city. I wanted to end the album with a ballad, come in strong with A Way About Her and end on the soft side.
4)A Child's Hero (3:35)
This song would be perfect for James Taylor,
especially how it goes back to Taylor's initial
days on the scene as a songwriter/singer. Did
you have James in mind?
RB: James Taylor was one of my heroes growing up. I wanted to be him so bad when I began writing songs. This is a tribute song from me to JT.
5)Top of the Hill (3:46)
Rock, pure original country, and a drive
that is direct, a natural. Who came up with
the diverse instrumentation and how did the
production develop?
RB: This is a song I wrote as part of a story I'm writing. I wanted to make it a country rock song, with a lot of lead guitar, for a dramatic effect. The musicians on this one did a great job, Jonny Dinklage on fiddle, Peter Calo on lead guitar and Jerry Marotta on drums. As usual Peter's production was amazing.
6)Girl I Love Your Smile (3:12)
The pop that we heard on Under The Whispering Tree
is back in a big way. It's glorious and memorable.
Who inspired this track, Rob?
RB: I wrote this for my girl Cheryl. I had the melody years ago and never was able to put it in song, but I finally found it. Powerful guitar by Peter, and Jerry Marotta on drums.
7)Amen 2:51
Mellow folk veering on pop ballad,
are there Gospel elements here or are
we made to feel Gospel as an undercurrent?
And what is the song's intent?
RB: This is just a simple love song, no religious undertones, just a big amen as a thank you. Jon Cobert on accordion and Jonny Dinklage on fiddle.
8)For Himself 3:23
Love the use of the instrumentation
and drum shuffle. Feels like a modernization
of Rick Nelson's successful singles from the 1960's
RB: This was a fun "sixties-ish" melody. Peter Calo did amazing guitar work as usual. Just a song about inner conflict and figuring things out on one's own.
9)Ballad of Johnny and Mary (4:32)
The music again shines, in a different way from "For Himself,"
but with the same authority. The guitar sound is mesmerizing.
Did you and Peter Calo come up with these musical themes?
So impressive.
RB: Thanks! I presented the song to Peter and he developed the great guitar sound and melody. And when Jerry added his drums and Mark added the horn sections it all came together in a great way. There is no Johnny And Mary, but I've known many "Johhny and Marys" if that makes any sense!
10)This Time (2:05)
Though country at heart, the genres slightly
move from folk to rock to neo-jazz on this
collection. Was this intentional at the songwriting
stage or did it develop as the album was tracked?
RB: This song was a straightforward and short song, as a follow up to an old song of mine. Peter added his touch to the song to finish it off nicely.
11)Lost in Nashville 4:13
What a terrific track to conclude the disc.
Did you write the first and eleventh tracks
with their placement in mind? And what
is the heart of this song about?
Rob: After a trip to Nashville, I decided to write a song about my experience there, walking around the city. I wanted to end the album with a ballad, come in strong with A Way About Her and end on the soft side.
Thanks again, Rob, for participating in our
Going Track by Track
* I enjoyed watching this album come together with all these amazing musicians and of course Peter's superb production. Thank you for listening and for the interview!
I hope everyone will give it a listen.
Rob Benson, Peter Calo Discuss CD Under the Whispering Tree on Joe Viglione's Going Track By Track
by Joe Viglione
Interview with Rob Benson here:
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