Album Notes

Ray Rivers first picked up the guitar seriously while in university in order to play along to the protest music of the ‘angry young men’ in the 60’s. But it has taken a half century for his first CD titled “Angry Old Men” to appear. The CD is a tribute to those brave musicians and the youth of that protest generation who bravely fought against the lies and errors of the intolerant generation that preceded them. The melodies and lyrics of Bob Dylan and Phil Ochs and so many other young thoughtful voices of that troubled period, particularly in the United States, have made a lasting impact on this singer and his songs.

Ray Rivers has spent most of his life in politics and the environment. Years of environmental advocacy are evident in many of his songs – writing and singing about issues such as global climate change. Raised in a rural lifestyle, he is disturbed at how the landscape is changing for the worse. Raised in a church-going community he is concerned about new the intolerant religious fundamentalism that is beginning to threaten our civil liberties. A decade after the cold war ended he is troubled by a world he sees as more violent and less lawful than before. And, he is very disappointed that the last remaining superpower has failed to provide the leadership we expected for a better planet.

Ray uses a modern folk protest style to deliver his contemporary messages with a diversity of melody stylings. He looks forward to the day our governments have moved on the messages in these songs and he’ll be able to just write love songs, like everybody else. And then maybe, he and you will no longer be angry old men and women. Enjoy the music!!