Description
The Richard Swift Collection, Volume One is a double-disc album by the American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Richard Swift (March 16, 1977 – July 3, 2018), originally released on Leftwing Recordings in 2004, and re-issued by Secretly Canadian the following year. The collection features Swift’s two mini-albums, The Novelist (an album previously released on Velvet Blue Music) and Walking Without Effort (re-recordings of tracks previously released as a CD-R only).
This two-disc set comprises The Novelist, a baroque lo-fi song suite, and Walking Without Effort, a snazzy, ’70s-influenced crafted-pop record in the mold of early McCartney. Alone, they’d be impressive, but as a pair they identify the wild-eyed Swift as a graceful new songwriting voice capable of old-timey melancholy. The opening choral “ooh’s” of Novelist’s lead-off track, «Foreward», announce Swift’s intentions: his songs exist in a time vacuum, seemingly crackling from Victrola speakers despite their CD technology. «Lovely Night» shows off his whiskey-steeped croon following an upward-spiraling, Brit-inflected melody, the room echoing with barroom piano and military drum rolls. It all sounds about 70 years old, crackling like a Van Dyke Parks LP left out in the sun too long. After The Novelist’s all-too-short 19 minutes, the Leonard Cohen-esque shuffle of «Looking Back, I Should Have Been Home More» segues into Walking Without Effort, which shifts gears and tape fidelities; acoustic guitars shimmer, horns and strings strut and the nuance in Swift’s voice takes center stage. Walking’s California lilt uplifts as only ’70s pop can, with Swift’s p.o.v. as a confused, searching poet casting a sincere shadow which deepens the songs’ effects. [Todd Goldstein, CMJ New Music Monthly 2004, Issue #135]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-richard-swift-collection-vol-1-the-novelist/447838271)
2CD tracklist:
Disc One – The Novelist
Side One
1-01. Forward – 1:13
1-02. Lady Day – 2:55
1-03. Lovely Night – 4:39
1-04. Sadsong St. – 2:18
Side Two
1-05. Blues For Mother – 1:05
1-06. The Novelist – 2:54
1-07. Ballad Of Clifford Swift – 0:59
1-08. Looing Back, I Should Have Been Home More – 3:36
Disc Two – Walking Without Effort
2-01. Walking Without Effort Theme – 1:51
2-02. Half Lit – 4:20
2-03. In The Air – 3:21
2-04. As I Go – 3:55
2-05. Above & Beneath – 2:54
2-06. Mexico (1977) – 3:19
2-07. Losing Sleep – 4:30
2-08. Not Wasting Time – 2:53
2-09. Beautifulheart – 3:08
Note: Released in a Double CD Fat Jewel Case by Leftwing Recordings, and a Double CD Slim Jewel Case by Secretly Canadian. Re-issued as a 12-inch vinyl double LP by Secretly Canadian in 2005.
The Novelist
Walking Without Effort
“Beautifulheart” (MUSIC VIDEO)
Richard Swift is a sort of enigma in the independent music world. After releasing two highly acclaimed 7″ LP’s and 1 EP on California’s Velvet Blue Music, playing a smattering of shows on the West Coast, and appearing as a guest musician or producer on releases like Starflyer 59’s Old or Wayne Everett’s Kingsqueens, Swift has been garnering praise from fans and other musicians alike. Yet, with only a few songs properly released and a limited touring schedule, Swift has left music fans rabid in anticipation to hear more of his unique music. The Richard Swift Collection Volume One should be enough to hold these fans over, as it contains two EP’s, packaged together in a smart-looking double-case. One of the EP’s found on The Richard Swift Collection Volume One is the fantastic The Novelist (the EP originally released on Velvet Blue Music), but the main attraction of this double-disc is the proper released of Swift’s oft-rumoured Walking Without Effort. Walking Without Effort is a legendary collection of 9 tracks that Swift originally released in 2001 to a handful of friends on CD-R. The CD-R made the burnt CD rounds, eventually ending up in the greedy hands of a few fans. Finally, after three years of EBAY-scouring by desperate fans and the constant buzz of a potential impending release, Walking Without Effort is finally available to all, regardless of the “indie-cred” or dumb luck that a select few were able to originally muster to hear these songs.
Walking Without Effort proves to be worth the long wait. What should be said about this EP is that it is not the same release as the 2001 CD-R with proper packaging. While the songs are the same songs, sequenced in the same order, the songs have been rerecorded, giving fans lucky enough to hear the CD-R an incentive to check out The Richard Swift Collection Volume One. The new take on the songs gives them more fullness and poise than the original versions. This newly conceived approach, where Swift pays more attention to detail, particularly in vocal arrangements and musical accents, coupled with the increased recording quality, gives the songs on Walking Without Effort a new lustre. The EP opens with the brief instrumental «Walking Without Effort Theme», leading to the opening strains of «Half Lit». Fans who have followed Swift’s career will right away notice the difference in style between Walking Without Effort and Swift’s other releases. Rather than writing and performing jazz-influenced pieces that sound if they were recorded in the 1930’s, Swift’s songs on Walking Without Effort take a 70’s singer-songwriter approach, and «Half Lit» is no exception. Featuring a light groove, campy horn arrangements, and other subtle touches such as sweet vocal harmonies and hand-claps, «Half Lit» sounds like it could have come straight out of the era of the Carpenters and BeeGees. But, in saying this, one would be inclined to think that «Half Lit» (and Walking Without Effort as a whole) contains the excess that the 70’s is known for, but rather the opposite is true. Walking Without Effort is characterized by a remarkable restraint, resulting in heartfelt but laidback jams. «In the Air» follows, providing a great example of Swift’s ability to play within himself. The song is a more stripped-back and emotional one, with gorgeous lyrics and an instantly emotive melody. On top of the subtle keyboard, George Harrison-esque guitar arrangements, solemn horns, picked acoustic guitars, and the decidedly groovy drum part, Swift sings with a passion and sensitivity rarely heard. The song builds to a climax, but rather than belting out an aggressive barrage of notes, Swift simply reverts to his beautiful falsetto, and double-tracks it to a stunning effect. Plainly, as shown on his previous releases, Swift is a master at creating musical tension with subtleties and control (though he no doubt has the chops to belt out notes with the best of them). The lighter «As I Go» follows, reminding listeners in its arrangements of his The Novelist era work with its fun tempo, percussion, and nicely-executed vocal harmonies. «Above and Beneath» is a more singer-songwriter oriented song, stripped back some to let Swift’s voice shine. That is not to say that the song lacks in musical direction and arranging, as Swift incorporates plenty of keyboards and other parts that simply augment his remarkable vocal delivery. «Mexico (1977)» is a song somewhat similar to «In The Air», with its subtle groove, passionate vocals, and strong melody, and «Losing Sleep» features the same strengths along with perfect harmonies from recording-mate Frank Lenz. No Richard Swift recording, it seems, would be complete without a track featuring his distinct voice singing over a solitary piano, and «Not Wasting Time» fulfills this niche flawlessly. «Beautifulheart» rounds out this EP, with a relatively quick tempo, distorted guitar, acoustic strumming, and soaring vocals from Swift. The song is a perfect emotional catharsis for the listener, giving the listener a chance to release some energy built-up in Swift’s masterful collection of subtly affective songs.
The lyrics certainly deserve a special mention, as they keep in Swift’s usual high quality in this area. But, what is unusual about the lyrics of Walking Without Effort is their devotional clarity, as Swift delivers what are essentially worship/religious lyrics, yet in that unimposing and sincere fashion that one hears on discs like Sufjan Stevens’ Seven Swans or Neilson Hubbard’s Sing Into Me. The theme of humbly resolving one’s life to God appears on songs like «In The Air», «As I Go» or «Not Wasting Time» in a way that is appealing, edifying, and contrite. Clearly, these lyrics give the EP an added depth that only bolsters this CD’s poignancy.
We’ve already sung the praises of The Novelist, which shows up on The Richard Swift Collection Volume One newly re-mastered. Taken as a whole, The Richard Swift Collection Volume One is a collection of amazing songs from a fascinating artist who continues to impress the music world with his incredible talent. That Richard Swift can hold his own among the best in the music world as a singer, song and lyric writer, arranger and producer is apparent, but what is truly amazing is that he has not received the widespread mainstream acclaim that his work clearly warrants. The Richard Swift Collection Volume One may just be the release that sparks the close attention Swift deserves. [Brent, Somewherecold, October 15, 2004]
What inspired you to start recording?
Swift: When I turned 15 and I moved here, I had this buddy, Greg [Lawless], who was in a band called Adam Again. I don’t even know how to explain them, but they were a big influence on me. He was a mailman in town, but he was also in this Christian rock band. Our buddy, Gene [Eugene], owned the studio [The Green Room, in Huntington Beach, CA] that I recorded my first record in. They were big heroes. He turned me on to Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, and Sly and the Family Stone. It really changed my life. The first time that I ever really recorded music was here in this space. The studio used to be upstairs. I was working with Greg. My sister passed away, but her ex-husband borrowed money from my parents and built this place out. I’ve been working out of this studio [National Freedom Studio in Cottage Grove, Oregon] for 15 years now, but in different incarnations.
Had you made contacts with people in the music scene in Los Angeles before?
Swift: Yeah. I was working there, out of Gene’s studio. I would do day work and then go in late at night and record my own projects. I was learning Pro Tools during the day, and then I’d sneak in at night with my 4-track. That’s how I recorded The Novelist, which is one of my earlier records.
[Excerpt from an interview with Richard Swift by Larry Crane, featured in Tape Op, July/August 2017, Issue #120]
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