He hasn’t released a solo album since 2010. Twelve years, countless shows performing with bands, 150 new songs, an induction into the Capital Region’s Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame, a 265-pound weight loss, and one stroke later, he’s preparing to release his fifth solo album.
The album’s official release party will take place in September at Caffe Lena, where Eck is a board member. The party will follow a concert celebrating Eck’s 40 year-long performance career, which began with a cover of The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go” for a battle of the bands in Albany in 1982.
12 new, original songs are included in “Your turn to shine.” Some of the tracks were written before 2020, but most were written during the Pandemic and after a stroke in February 2021.
I had a stroke and it’s different every day. I do not mean that in a positive way. On some days it is like, “Oh god, today is different.”
He is tired more quickly and often rests throughout the day. It takes more time to type out the music than it does to compose it from the ears up. His love of music has not waned despite his recovery. Playing the guitar has become a therapy.
It always feels good when it’s easier than others. “Lenny Kay, who was a guitar player for many years and still is, has a great quote: Any day you get to play your guitar is a day you need to play your guitar.”
Eck, a former writer for Times Union, continued to write at a high volume. A literature-inspired series with the Albany Public Library is one of the things that Eck began to look outside of himself for inspiration six years ago. During the Pandemic, he turned to digital writing workshops hosted by Stephen Clair at the Beacon Music Factory.
He ended up writing 75 songs for a total 150 un recorded songs in his music library, including the 12 that would end up on “your time to shine.”
In some ways, it’s an accidental album. Chris Wienk, DJ and program director for WEXT, wanted to interview Eck about his Hall of Fame ceremony and play some songs. He was asked to play all new tunes.
With these two sessions and his “AHA!”, he got thinking. He had nine new songs recorded after his stroke. Wouldn’t it be great if we did another session with Wienk, record three more songs and call it an album?
Back when the radio station was new, he recorded his last album at WEXT-FM. They knew they were recording an album, but they didn’t record a single note until after the track list had been selected.
This time it happened.
At the show, he will play songs from his career. His twin children will be playing violin and guitar with him.
With a laugh, he said, “Yes, this is nepotism in action.”
The two are music fans. A teacher in the Bethlehem Central School District and a musician in a metal band never had the chance to perform. Being able to share a connection through music with his family is special to him.
The other day, Lakota came over to play guitar with me. At the end of our little rehearsal, I stood up and gave him a big hug and said, “even if we don’t do this gig, you and I played guitar together” Do you think that is cool?