Leroy Bell - Traces

Actually when it was first suggested I do an acoustic solo CD, I wasn't all that thrilled. On the other hand it did surprise me how fast I warmed to the idea of a stripped down solo project. I recorded the entire CD at home, which was quite exhilarating and frustrating at the same time. I had recently purchased a small Pro Tools rig, which I barely knew how to use. In the process I quite nearly ruined a long time friendship, calling at all hours of the day and night with questions I should have known, If only I'd taken the time - a lot of time - to read through the pro Tools manual! I don't consider myself stupid but reading technical jargon just doesn't translate to anything usable in my brain. Originally I was going to record songs that hadn't found a place on my other CDs, but that quickly changed and I started from scratch with all new songs. I tend to write about things I'm feeling right now.. I did cover (Spending Time) from my first CD, and I rerecorded a demo I made of (Traces of your soul) a song I had written shortly after the death of my guitar player, and dear friend Rick Novito. Then my mother passed away this past January ....... Losing my mother tapped a new emotional depth of sorrow and sadness I hadn't felt before. The emotions on this CD are over the place, and I struggled daily with questions of what songs to include and what to hold back. In the end I think this collection of songs took on a life of their own and I just tried to steer them in some kind of unified direction. I like to think that the title - Traces - means that no matter who you are or what you do once we're born, we can't help leave something behind.