One Lane Bridge by Billy Bruce

Listeners can sample tracks at CDBaby, at Billy's page at GarageBand (www.garageband.com/artist/billybruce) or at his web site at www.billybruce.com. Check out Billy's web site for more information and be sure to drop him an email to say hello.

Here’s a quick synopsis of the tracks:

“One Lane Bridge: Interlude” is an instrumental introduction full of passionate musical drama, with a French horn sample crying out a basic melody from the title track leading to a crescendo of sound of strings, bass, timpani drums and a ear-splitting yet classical sounding lead guitar played on a Les Paul by Billy, inviting the listener in to share the personal highs and lows of life itself.

“When Will I See You Again?” is an autobiographical tale of hope, true love and heartbreak The straight four rock drum beat intro beckons back to the Sgt. Peppers intro and gets toes tapping and feet moving. Then a roaring rock and roll thunder strikes as David Williams slams in with a slide rhythm guitar and a boiling lead guitar to color Billy’s rhythm and bass lines. Billy sings lead and is backed by David’s two added harmony parts--the combination reminds some of The Climax Blues Band.

“Fifteen (Home Sweet Home)” is a Procol Harum/Neil Young styled rocker that features Billy on all the instruments, including a heel-biting lead guitar on a Les Paul at the intro and end. The theme is a blast of those judgmental people who elevate themselves to undeserved platforms, from which they unleash their foolish hypocrisy.

“Angels” is an Eric Clapton-sounding ballad in which Billy plays all the instruments, including a Wurlitzer electric piano sample and a fender Telecaster lead guitar that could be a chip off the late George Harrison‘s block. True tale of two female friends who suffer different heartbreaks. They’re all angels in the sky raining down from heaven.

“Woods of Wexford” again features Billy on all the instruments, including bass, piano, synthesizer, drums and percussion samples and a Fender Stratocaster on leads that again sound like Clapton or Harrison. This is the story of Billy’s cousin’s family in southeast Atlanta, who live in The Woods of Wexford. Nothing can be more important than immediate family in a world where children more and more grow up in one or no-parent households. The true family unit is a blessing from God that brings happiness for life, as long as it’s not taken for granted.

“Blue Star Highway” is a rocker featuring Billy on all instruments. The Blue Star Highway is a designated monument along Interstate 75 that pays tribute to the hundreds of thousands of American war dead. The numbers who made the ultimate sacrifice, from the American Revolution, Civil War, Spanish-American War, War of 1812, Word Wars I & II, Korea, Viet Nam, Grenada, Panama, Persian Gulf, and Iraq are astonishing--mind boggling. Their sacrifice reminds us all that the cost of freedom is buried in the ground.

“Abilene” is an instrumental rocker that features Billy on a dual harmony lead guitar riff, a la Allman Brothers Band, and a scorching Eric Clapton sort of lead guitar from the great Jimmy Stewart of Orlando. Jimmy plays on a Fender Telecaster. The title pays tribute to the place where Billy served out a four-year tour of duty in the US Air Force--Abilene, Texas.

“One Lane Bridge” the title track is a pop gem that features Billy on all the instruments. Life often is a one lane bridge--we have to make very tough decisions, and there’s no turning back from the consequences. Fear of the consequences could stop us from making those tough, life changing decisions. You just have to have faith that your inner gut feelings are usually right. Got to go straight ahead forward and not look back. Cross that one lane bridge.

“Time To Love” starts as a Southern Rock ballad featuring David Williams on a Marshall Tucker sounding lead guitar. The lyrics remind us not to take our loved ones for granted--find time for them while you have it. If you can’t find time--MAKE time. The song speeds up halfway through and turns into a burning southern rocker as David wails away on a Fender Stratocaster.

“For Jenny” is an Elton/Beatles type ballad featuring Billy on string samples, piano, bass and guitar and vocals. Jenny was a 14 year old girl who died tragically in a freak auto accident. The song was written as a gift to her mother Maria Elena to help her grieve the overwhelming loss.

“Memory Lane” is a Bo Diddley styled rocker that tells how Billy first started getting into music. His parents told him that when Elvis came on the radio in the car, Billy used to jump up and down in the car seat, which would bring great laughter from ma and pa. Hey sister Carol--can I play your Sears Silvertone guitar? Anybody remember those now highly collectables? The song also pays tribute to just a handful of the hundreds of artists who’ve inspired Billy’s music over the years. Dave Ross of Orlando burns it on his Gibson Les Paul throughout.

“Just For Today” is a Badfinger sounding rock ballad that features Billy on all instruments, including a Hammond B-3 organ sample and a Fender Stratocaster lead guitar that harkens back to the Fab Four. The chorus words? It doesn’t get more romantic (or sappy) than this: “We’re sailing to a harbor of love. The winds won’t blow another way. If love’s our compass, we’re hooked on true north. Our destinies are intertwined.”

“Just For Today: Postlude” features Billy playing string samples on keyboard--bringing this album to a close by leaving the stories told here open for more--We’ve crossed the one lane bridge, made it across with some wounds and scars, but life is still ready for living, and we’re ready to travel together into Billy’s next musical adventures on his second album just released on Par Five Records--”Caxambas Pass,” also available at CDBaby.

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