Category: Album

<span class="postbody">Well, today is the official release day of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Land Of Plenty</span>, my 9th studio album. <img src="http://forum.cubase.net/phpbb2/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif" border="0" alt="Smile" /> <br /> <br /> The idea for LOP was inspired by a song that was largely written by a friend of mine, a song which is in fact the title track. <br /> Rhys and I go way back...back to high school days. The song essentially talks about immigrants to Aotearoa, (New Zealand), back in the days when it was indeed considered to be the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Land Of Plenty</span>. My parents were amongst those immigrants that came here back in the early 60's. Well, times have changed since then of course...but it's still not a bad spot all in all <img src="http://forum.cubase.net/phpbb2/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif" border="0" alt="Wink" /> <br /> <br /> So, LOP is my musical homage, both in song and instrumental, to my home, the city of Auckland, and the country New Zealand where I have lived most of my life. (I'm a Brit by birth). <br /> <br /> I am hugely grateful to those that helped out and directly contributed to the songs: <br /> My long time collab buddy: <br /> <img src="http://forum.cubase.net/phpbb2/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif" border="0" alt="Cool" /> Wolf Menzel- vocals <br /> <img src="http://forum.cubase.net/phpbb2/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif" border="0" alt="Cool" /> Lenny Lee - vocals &amp; bass <br /> <img src="http://forum.cubase.net/phpbb2/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif" border="0" alt="Cool" /> Nick Crosby - vocals, guitars, lyrics <br /> <img src="http://forum.cubase.net/phpbb2/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif" border="0" alt="Cool" /> Jet Crawford - composition, lyrics, vocals, guitars &amp; bass <br /> <img src="http://forum.cubase.net/phpbb2/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif" border="0" alt="Cool" /> Nate Pike - lead guitar <br /> <img src="http://forum.cubase.net/phpbb2/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif" border="0" alt="Cool" /> Neil Bonfield - lead guitar <br /> <img src="http://forum.cubase.net/phpbb2/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif" border="0" alt="Cool" /> Geoff Van Maastricht - dobro of course!! <br /> <img src="http://forum.cubase.net/phpbb2/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif" border="0" alt="Cool" /> Vaughn Fowler - lead guitar <br /> <img src="http://forum.cubase.net/phpbb2/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif" border="0" alt="Cool" /> Wim Koopman &lt;- no Sherz album would be complete without some Wim sax onboard!! <img src="http://forum.cubase.net/phpbb2/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif" border="0" alt="Very Happy" /> <br /> <img src="http://forum.cubase.net/phpbb2/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif" border="0" alt="Cool" /> John Wooten - drums <br /> <br /> and a couple of local friends as well, Samuel Braverman and Shaelie Kraemborg. (vocals &amp; flute) <br />&nbsp; <br /> So, it's all duplicated and printed ready in time for Xmas pressie for the family! They're kinda used now to getting a Sherz CD for Xmas!&nbsp; <br /><br /></span><span class="postbody"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">*** NEWS FLASH ***</span></span></span> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Land Of PLenty"</span> will be featured on a special segment on <a href="http://www.wtv.co.nz/" target="_blank" class="postlink"><span style="color: red;">WTV</span></a> today as part a regular live current affairs show, simultaneously broadcast on both TV and radio. <br /> <br /> It seems the local Chinese community are quite fascinated by my musical indulgences! </span><br /><a href=" http://www.blacksandsmusic.co.nz/black_sands_store.htm" title="Land Of Plenty CD"><br /><strong>http://www.blacksandsmusic.co.nz/black_sands_store.htm</strong></a><br />

<p>Put this one together yesterday afternoon...&nbsp;&nbsp; ok, so it was a looong afternoon!&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="images/smilies/face-grin.png" border="0" alt="grin" title="grin" />&nbsp;&nbsp; Actually the basic theme was one of those "accidental" compositions...&nbsp; I was just noodling away on the keys on Sunday while I was chatting to the wife when she said <em>"What's that?&nbsp; That's really nice"</em> -&nbsp;&nbsp; I wasn't really mindful of what I was doing so I had to kinda retrace my steps to try and figure out what I was actually doing!&nbsp; Anyway...&nbsp; I recaptured that spontaneous motif and developed it further and managed to find time Tuesday afternoon/evening to compile it all and get it down <br /><br />I visited back in May.&nbsp; Quite an amazing place really. If you ever feel like popping over to central China I highly recommend it! Though definitely Not recommended for vertigo sufferers!&nbsp; zillions of steps up incredibly steep rock faces! Considered by many to be the world's most dangerous hike.&nbsp; Well,&nbsp; I guess it would be if you slip and fall!&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="images/smilies/face-surprise.png" border="0" alt="surprise" title="surprise" /><br /><br />I was reminded of the trip when I was throwing this one together...&nbsp; long steep ascents, grand majestic views... China...</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: small; color: #ff0000; font-family: andale mono,times;">Huashan Zhi Yun</span></strong><br />&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is my first ever attempt at making a music video...actually my first attempt at making any kind of video!!&nbsp; <img src="images/smilies/face-grin.png" border="0" alt="grin" title="grin" /></p>
<p>The idea for this actually came to me in a dream...&nbsp; that's never happened before!&nbsp; All the scenes for the video were there in my early morning dream!&nbsp; It was about 2 weeks later that I decided I should have a go at ACTUALLY going out and filming those scenes that were still floating around in my head.&nbsp; I knew all the locations!&nbsp; All that was needed was a camera, and a nice weekend to drive the 45 min&nbsp; to the west coast.<br />&nbsp;<br />I don't actually own a digicam or anything but my still camera shoots at 640x480 with full zoom function so that'll have to do!<br />So, into the car with camera, tripod and a few snacks and off we went!&nbsp; <strong><span style="color: #ff6600;"><a href="http://www.mixposure.com/Ian_Rushton/video.php" target="_blank" title="Dusty Road">"Dusty Road"</a></span></strong><span style="color: #ff6600;"> </span>is a song from my 'Revealed' CD - it's a boy meets girl story...actually it's a me meets my wife story!&nbsp; <img src="images/smilies/face-wink.png" border="0" alt="wink" title="wink" /></p>
<p><a href="http://www.mixposure.com/Ian_Rushton/video.php">http://www.mixposure.com/Ian_Rushton/video.php</a></p>
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One of two new album releases this week!!

Preview here at Soundclick:
REVEALED

Visit http://www.imusicscene.com/opt4red for info on my new studio band CD: "Reaching Out"