The 12th studio album, marking 20 years since the 1st, is mostly upbeat acoustic rock, a couple ballads, one real folk song, and a couple walzes primarily played on acoustic guitar, most with drums and bass, some augmented with piano, and one each with flute, harmonica, electric piano, cello, and marimba. Two feature accordion by Lenore Cooley! Even though it touches on loss, it also offers songs about love and is more hopeful and happy than past releases.
About each song
Stream now
Album info
Liner notes
Copyright © 2024 by Scott Richard Cooley. All rights reserved. Music and lyrics for all 13 songs written by Scott Richard Cooley, published and administered by Scott Richard Cooley Music Publishing (ASCAP). Lyrics used by permission only. The twelfth Scott Cooley studio album released June 21st 2024 on the Scott Cooley Records label (catalog #SCR12). Sound recordings copyright ℗ 2024 by Scott Cooley. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws. Produced, arranged, recorded, engineered, mixed and mastered by Scott Cooley at Scott Cooley Music Productions studio in Michigan, USA. All vocals and instruments performed by Scott Cooley, which include the singing of lead, harmony & backing vocals; the playing of rhythm & lead acoustic guitar; bass guitar; keyboard – including piano, electric piano, cello & flute; harmonica; marimba; drums & percussion. Lenore Cooley sang a single word one time in “Love You Forever,” and played accordion on “The Trees” and “Until We Meet Again”. Cover art photograph by Richard E. Cooley.
Behind the music
Background and Inspiration: After releasing the preceding album Lockdown Leftovers, which had a somewhat intentionally lowered bar, the overarching inspiration was to raise the quality this time. Additionally, experiencing the later stages of grief long after a loss was a lingering motivator.
Songwriting and Recording: The songs came to me in my home, where I was able to use my acoustic guitar and computer. Typically lyrical ideas came first, followed by musical, but some back-and-forth happened as always. Editing lyrics and chords on a Word document was followed by recording into Logic with a microphone and audio interface, mixing in DAW software, with final mastering done with Adobe Audition.
Personnel and Production: Lenore Cooley played extraordinary accordion on two songs, and Richard E. Cooley took the cover photograph. I did everything else, including the production, arranging, performing, recording, mixing, mastering, writing of all words and music, playing all instruments and singing all vocals.
Release and Reception: The release was June 21st, 2024 on the Scott Cooley Records label, with distribution through CD Baby to all major streaming services. As of this writing, there have been no critical reviews or chart certifications, but the streaming stats have exceeded expectations in comparison with past albums.
Sunrise Press Release.pdf