Anna Jane Russell Arizona Sun CD

Home on the Range, written as a poem in 1873, and often referred to as the 'cowboy anthem', was one of the most popular songs on the radio in 1933. The big chart winner in 1933, however, was The Last Roundup, which is included on this CD with three other songs on track 6 titled, Cowboy Medley. Seven different groups, including Gene Autry (#12) and Guy Lombardo (who tied for #1!) had recordings that placed on the charts that year. The other songs on Track 6 are traditional cowboy tunes: Cowboy's Dream, Whoopie Ti Yi Yo, and I Ride An Old Paint.

When The Bloom Is On The Sage was a theme song for the Tom Mix Radio show which began airing in the 1930s.

Along the Santa Fe Trail charted by four different groups in 1941, including Bing Crosby and Glenn Miller.

Don't Fence Me In, written by Cole Porter and sung by Bing and the Andrews Sisters, was #1 in 1944. It appeared on the charts again in 1945 in versions by Gene Autry, Kate Smith, Horace Heidt, and Sammy Kaye.

'The End - A track that was written in about 45 mins. While the recording of this piece took far longer, the song itself fell out of the mind and onto the paper. A piece filled with anger, frustration and a promise is also joined with menacing whispers, driving piano and a twisted ending. This lead off track grabs the listener's attention and prepares them for the 'Identity' ride that is in store. If You Want Me - A perky pop-broadway song that intentionally follows the previous track, giving the listener an idea of what Identity is all about. This song was written in two parts about a year separate from one another. Being the only track on the album with this feel, If You Want Me adds an element that the rest of the tracks do not.

Black and White - Tight harmonies, a floating piano part fused with electronic percussion and a choir. Just when you think it's over, a full choir and strings section come back in with a repeat of the chorus stripped of everything. Carry On - While there are definite elements of Jazz and Blues on this track, the harmonies in the chorus echo the style of 'doo-wop' taken from the 50's. Pop and rock are also combined on this song to make for one of the favorites for Identity. Breathe - Peaceful and slow, Breathe literally gives the listener a 'breath' before diving into the rest of the album. 'I see the face of an angel, watching me, warning me. My heart wants you to leave me alone, so I can breathe for tonight.

' Truth - Short, sweet and to the point. Choir back-up for this track was influenced by African choral music. Identity - This song has a little of everything. Rock, strong piano and an insane bridge with grunt-like chanting mixed with a men's choir in the background. A ragtime piano solo followed by a build up to the end where the main vocals are 'letting go,' while a full choir, electric guitars, piano, percussion and orchestral strings all fill in the not so silence. Being the title track of the album, Identity throws everything to the wind. Leatherman - A highly orchestrated folk song. The lyrics and melody to this song are based off of a legend that is a part of Connecticut and New York history. The end of this track however, is probably Derek's favorite part of the entire CD. A full Children's choir joins him in singing the final chorus along with all the other instruments. Actual kids were recorded to make this, giving the song a real story-like quality, while adding the sometimes haunting nature of children singing.