“Now I Feel the Rain” is the new single from Steve Ryan-Gledhill’s self-titled LP, due for release June 27. The song follows his recent AA side singles “It Happens Every Day” and “End of the Line”. In its original form, “Now I Feel the Rain” was a Country Ballad, and came from a joint song-writing session with Ryan-Gledhill, Justin Smith and John Webster when all were members of The Broken Sweethearts.
STREAM THE SINGLE VIA BANDCAMP HERE
Shortly after completing the song, Australia’s southern states endured the horrific Black Saturday bush fires. Following that catastrophic event, The Broken Sweethearts recorded a version of the song and donated the sale proceeds to The Country Fire Authority.
For his debut solo outing, Ryan-Gledhill re-worked “Now I Feel the Rain” with what he felt was a more appropriate Country Gospel feel. He explains “From a musical perspective, the introduction, in line with the Gospel feel, opens with Bruce Haymes on Hammond Organ with acoustic guitar, bass, drums and the lead vocal starting with the first and second verses. I play acoustic guitar, sing lead vocals and a backing harmony in the verses.”
The song opens with concerns over the impending fires, saving precious mementoes and ensuring everyone’s safety. It becomes clear fires are coming and panic and separation ensues. Families separated, communications non-existent. Those that are able, are fighting the fires. The Bridge speaks to the confusion and chaos “So many going nowhere; and I was without you”. A guitar interlude then leads into the aftermath, surveying the damage and then a redemptive final Chorus and Outro where the much prayed for rain arrives, the townspeople survey the damage and vow to re-build.
“After the Bridge, there is a guitar solo, I played the first half of the solo, Cam played the second half of the solo and we both played the ending riff as a harmony part. The solos (apart from fixing one errant note of mine) was done in one take without any discussions about the structure. Just one of those unplanned, special moments.”
Ryan-Gledhill continues “After the solo section, the dynamics are brought back down before building to the Chorus and the Outro. This section shines as a powerful (and I hope, uplifting) redemptive section with the Gospel harmonies arranged and sung by Tracy Kingman.”
“I’m really proud of this song and the production, arrangement, instrumentation and dynamics now marries seamlessly with the story and sentiments of the song. I hope you like it!”
Steve Ryan-Gledhill’s album will be released on all major platforms on Friday June 27, with a live performance featuring an outstanding 7-piece band the same night at George Lane, St Kilda
