Out of the Wilderness and into the fire

This album represents a journey, which I and perhaps many others have travelled in their lifetime…

As a songwriter I have listened to many stories, which have been offered to me by people from all walks of life, and it is these stories that have given me the inspiration for my characters and collective timbre.

Over time I have found that more than one person has found themselves spending time in a place which I guess could be likened to ‘T S Elliot’s “Wasteland”. 

It seems that anyone, including the most promising of us travelling a career path higher and faster than the average person, can suddenly find themselves frozen in their tracks and incapable of moving.

I’ve seen it and the sound that it makes could turn the warmest of blood into the coldest of crystal and the hue of the place is such that it could break your heart in two if you would let it

Oh I’m on ice

Can’t move anywhere and it so cold here on ice

Lyrics from Ice: Tremble Album by Jan Hellriegel

It is a phase that sees you coast along for weeks or perhaps years while you can’t quite put a finger on why you are feeling the way that you do; you are neither happy nor sad just indifferent.

Was this the life you had signed up to?

Whatever you try doesn’t seem to work, or fall into place, no matter how much energy you put into it.

Most of all, nothing really makes sense. Even the highs feel hollow.

These songs are testament to those who have ever found themselves lost in this wilderness, some of them are an acknowledgement to ‘coming out’ the other side, while others represent the freedom you feel when you find yourself “all grown up”.

Of course some are just good old fashioned rock 'n roll tunes because sometimes you shouldn’t think too hard about music at all, you should just feel it.

I really, really loved making this album. Even though it took 12 years for me to meander through my own personal wilderness, the moment we walked into the recording studio I knew the flame was back and burning brighter than ever!

Thank you for listening; because of you this music becomes true.

Jan Hellriegel from the Collectors Edition 2009

ALL GROWN UP - Album Credits

1. 10 Years and 47 Minutes 3.30

2. Misadventure 5.40

3. Middle of the Morning 3.18

4. 2 x 2 4.05

5. Filled Me Up 5.08

6. Very Mostly Good 3.51

7. He’s Gone 3.19

8. Orange Liqueur 4.35 *

9. Heaven is Here 3.33

10. Small Blue Flame 4.43

11. V8 Car (Libby’s Song) 4.39

12. Under the Stars 4.38 +

13. Goodbye Adieu 7.00 *

All songs written by Jan Hellriegel (Songbroker Music Publishing) except:

* Jan Hellriegel and Wayne Bell (Songbroker Music Publishing)

+ Words Geoff Matthews (Songbroker Music Publishing), Music by Jan Hellriegel and Wayne Bell (Songbroker Music Publishing) 

Executive Producer Geoff Matthews

Produced by Wayne Bell

Assistant Producer Jan Hellriegel

Executive Producer Geoff Matthews

Recorded at Roundhead Studios, Auckland. March 2009

Engineered and Mixed at Roundhead Studios by Neil Baldock

Assistant Engineers: Ben Knapp and Jol Mullholland

Horn and string arrangements; Middle of the Morning, Small Blue Flame and Under the Stars by Daniel Denholm. Conducted by Daniel Denholm and recorded at 301, Sydney 

Mastered at Sterling Sound New York by Greg Calbi

Band of Musicians:

Nick Gaffaney - Drums

Mark Hughes – Bass

Brett Adams – Lead Guitar

Ben Fulton – Guitars and Acoustic 12 string.

Wayne Bell – Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Rhodes, Keys,
Bells, Percussion, Piano Accordion, Vibes, Loops, and loads of other stuff.

 Blind Date Records 2019