Some people who I went to grade school with might remember that I used to play the piano when I was a kid. I first started writing songs in college and thought that it was something I wanted to do with my life. Then I got into film school and got interested in making movies and screenwriting. But through it all, I have kept writing songs, and I recently wrote a few new ones which have inspired me to do something I’ve never done before. Release an album.
The songs are mostly unplugged with a few fully produced. The songs were written either by myself, or in collaboration with long time musical partner, Frank Piazza. I play piano. Frank is on guitar. All songs were produced by myself, Frank Piazza and Chris Harrison in some combination or form. Chris Harrison engineered and mastered the tracks.
The album is also a product of many other talented people who I’d like to thank:
Background singers, Ocean Shellmire, Shahana Jaffer, and Rachel Bearer did most of the heavy lifting with the beautiful harmonies and vocal layering. Lorraine Ferro, Everett Bradley, Jeremy Shonfeld and Sara Ramirez also contributed background vocals on a couple of tracks. Frank Piazza played bass for most of the album. Diego Voglino played drums. On the song, “Everything I’m Looking For,” Winston Roy played bass, Mark Frankel played drums, and Lance McVickar engineered and mastered the track. I’d also like to thank Charlie A Martinez for engineering on a couple of tracks as well.
It’s taken me a long time to do this, but I’m proud to finally introduce:
“Chris Livingston Thirty Years Unplugged.”
Influences are Carole King, Billy Joel, Don Henley, Phil Collins, Lionel Richie, Bruce Hornsby, and maybe on good day, Joni Mitchell.
The album is available on iTunes, Spotify, or pretty much anywhere you get music online. These songs make it clear to me why I could never have hoped to be cool in high school ...
Thank you for taking a listen!