Think Elvis Costello meets Charles Mingus in an elevator, and Randy Newman's there taking notes.

11 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Americana, BLUES: Rhythm & Blues



Details:
âHis songs are quirky, fresh, and wonderfully entertaining -- and so is he...an important new artist.â
â Barbara and Scott Siegel, TheaterMania.com

Singer/songwriter/bassist Ritt Henn's third album has been described as âRitt goes to Memphis,â with its organic, roots-centered grooves laid down by a four-piece band (electric bass and guitar with drums plus Hammond B-3 and Fender Rhodes keyboards) augmented by a mini gospel choir featuring Vaneese Thomas, daughter of Rufus "Walking the Dog" Thomas. Others on the record have played with Rosanne Cash, Deep Purple, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna and Sting.

Ritt is a multi-award winning songwriter and performer, having garnered a Bistro Award from Back Stage magazine as Outstanding Songwriter/Instrumentalist, and a MAC Award for Outstanding New York Debut/Male from the Manhattan Association of Clubs.

"Henn is a find and one of the most original artists of the year."
â John Hoglund, Back Stage

Rittâs toured the U.S. and Europe, opened for Christine Lavin, Bela Fleck and Soupy Sales, performed on stage Off-Broadway in the twisted musical "Shockheaded Peter," and played with Chuck Berry, Buddy Rich, Martha Reeves and Tom Jones (though unfortunately not at the same time).

"Timber" is an enhanced CD. In addition to the music ("Timber: the album"), there's the 7-minute film short, "TIMBER: the trailer," a hilarious behind-the-scenes look at the making of the album, with Ritt doing double duty both behind and in front of the camera.

There are also a pair of PDF files: Notes by the Composer, featuring insights into the background of the tunes; and sheet music to the tune "Helen Keller and Me."

ALBUM CREDITS:
Produced by
Paul Guzzone (Bacon Bros., Aztec Two-Step) and Ritt Henn

Engineered and mastered by
Butch Jones

The Band:
Ritt Henn - Danelectro bass, vocals, whistling
Dennis McDermott - drums
John Putnam - guitar
Joe Mennonna - Rhodes and B-3
(Charlie Giordano plays keys on "Mile" and "Superman")

The Ladies:
LaJuan Carter - highs
Janie Barnett - mids
Vaneese Thomas - lows

Special Guest Love Duetress on "Range Rover": Ina May Wool

Plus:
Paul Guzzone - anthemic rocking vocals on "Rapunzel"
Mary Ellen Bernard - cowbell and tambourine on "House"