There’s an itch that I often can scratch musically speaking. Something in the songwriting realm that is beyond my reach. A sound that is equal parts gorgeous and despair.Songs that are not merely written, but crafted. Intensely and  purposefully penned. Ian Fitzgerald is the backscratcher that helps me rid the itch.

Although I haven’t known Ian personally all that long, it certainly feels like I have known him for a lifetime. Both through his music and through our own personal friendship, he, like many other folks came into my life via the blog and a review. He very quickly became one of my favorite songwriters or all time, never mind simply locally. He has some of the most thought out, self aware lyrics I have ever read. A songwriting poet if there ever was one. He utilizes clever references in nearly every line on some songs. Its smart writing that makes you think, triggers something when you are listening. Its just incredible. Plus the man can harmonize and plays rhythm guitar as good as any session player. And man, that voice!

I chose Ian to be a part of this project not just because he is a good friend and one of my all time favorite folks to ever write a song, but he has opened an entirely new door for me. A southwardly facing door that opens to an entirely different set of songwriters I may not have met or become as close with if I had not become friends with Ian. I think we are often “city-centric” when we talk about a music community or (dare I use this hatred term?) “scene”. Ian has broken those walls down for me, making me realize that our brothers and sisters from the south (mainly Rhode Island and Connecticut) are equally a part of the Boston/Camberville community and we are strong because of it.

Ian went and chose a Rhode Island colleague for his song choice. That of Will Houlihan (who goes under the moniker “Haunt the House”.  Ian’s arrangement of Will Houlihan’s song Vampyre, is sparse, it’s evocative, it’s a perfect testament to his friend and fellow songwriter. His voice perfectly complements the song’s theme…and he overdubbed his own harmonies giving it an even more deep and reverberating feel. It’s incredible to me. Its true beauty captured on recording. But don’t listen to me drone on and on, listen for yourself…