Album Notes

Fans of classic rock, alternative, world and folk will find something to enjoy from Erich Russek's versatile new CD, What Are You Afraid Of?

The CD features an amazing team of musicians: Grammy-nominated and Wammie (Washington Area Music Awards) Hall of Fame guitar legend, Bill Kirchen; multi-Grammy winner and Wammie Hall of Famer, Jon Carroll; Wammie winners Nicki Gonzalez, Johnny Castle, and Jack O'Dell; DC music theater artist Jenna Sokolowski and Songwriters Showcases of America (SSA) multi-award winner, multi-instrumentalist, and acclaimed sideman Dan Walters (LFO, Art Garfunkel).

There are twelve tracks on this new album: I Was Up, Now I'm Down; Nice As I Wanna Be; What Are You Afraid Of?; Can You Feel It? (Part 1) LA; What's This Blues Thing; I Found You; Used To The Rain; I Want This; Can You Feel It? (Part 2) The Tour; Didn't Want (Hey Ha); The Flame; and I Shall Be Released.

Of the twelve songs on the CD, all were penned by Erich Russek except "I Shall Be Released," which is a classic written by Bob Dylan. Nicki Gonzalez and Jenna Sokolowski each sang a duet with Erich-"Used to the Rain" and "Nice As I Wanna Be," respectively.

Dieselbilly guitar legend Bill Kirchen played his amazing guitar throughout. Check out his signature solo in "I Want This." Jon Carroll dazzles the tracks with the Hammond organ and his vocals. Listen to the chorus on "What Are You Afraid Of?" or the jam at the end of "I Found You." By the way, "I Found You" was written for Erich's wife and was performed by Poets In Heat at their wedding.

Johnny Castle and Jack O'Dell created a solid foundation throughout. Dan Walters added some flare to the tracks. That's him on the sitar sounds in "Can You Feel It? (Part 2)"