Middle Of Dismay is the third track or my album, Precipice Of Dismay. I wrote it about the time American President Joe Biden won the presidential election in 2020. It's more about my disdain for the other guy, but hope for seeing brighter days in our future. It's a bit grittier than most of the other tracks on the album and I'm especially pleased with responses I've had about the song.

Middle Of Dismay

I heard Jeff Beck and the Yardbirds a good two years before hearing Jimi Hendrix. I was blown away by the sounds he was getting on an electric guitar. I've seen him play many times over the years and like fine wine, he improves with age. Beck's Bolero, written by Jimmy Page, was originally recorded before the Jeff Beck Group was formed, It's on Beck's legendary first album Truth. My humble version is track four on my album, Precipice Of Dismay.

Beck's Bolero (Jimmy Page)

(How Do You Tame A) Mountain Man is an original song that tells a (mostly true) story of my younger days, jaunting throughout California. I drew inspiration from my time living in Yosemite National Park, then Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada. It's the fifth track on Precipice Of Dismay.

Mountain Man (How Do You Tame a)

The Spider And The Fly goes back to the Rolling Stones earliest days. I had fun with it and took some freedoms with the arrangement. It's the sixth track on my album, Precipice Of Dismay.

The Spider And The Fly (Jagger & Richards)

The Warm Red Wine (Cindy Walker) is an old country western song my father and his teenage friends sang along to in the late 1940's. One of my fathers childhood friends suggested that I record it. I'm glad I did! It's track seven on my album, Precipice Of Dismay

The Warm Red Wine (Cindy Walker)

Robbie's Theme is the eighth track on my album, Precipice Of Dismay. My friend, the artist and photographer, Tom Wright, asked if I could come up with a song for a documentary (short film) about a great, but troubles soul, living on the streets of Wilmington, CA. I never met Robbie, but this songs groove and bass line seemed to fit the theme. The melody was improvised and recorded live, through a small (but mighty) Supro amplifier.

Robbies Theme

Up From The Skies is a classic Jimi Hendrix Experience song, from Axis Bold As Love. I love the stripped down nature of the song and how the message is more timely today, than when Jimi recorded it in the late sixties. My cover is the ninth track on Precipice Of Dismay.

Up From The Skies (Jimi Hendrix)

While learning the Bilnd Boys Of Alabama's arrangement of Amazing Grace, it occured to me that The House Of The Rising Sun used the same chords. So, I recorded the two songs as a medley. It's the tenth track on my album, Precipice Of Dismay.

Amazing Grace/House Of The Rising Sun (Medley)

Wastin' Away In L.A. was the second recording session that I produced, with lots of help from Dennis Parker and the more than able musicians I met at Los Angeles Valley College. The music department was loaded with great players. Many went on to great success in the music industry.
I wrote the song shortly after moving back to Los Angeles, from Lake Tahoe. I was motivated to suck in as much musical knowledge as possible, but felt like L.A. was going to be much harder to get a break in than I imagined. This song came out of that desperation. My thanks to Greg Fowler, David Sprock, Phil Upchurch Jr, John Balbuena, Lou Robbins, and the other musicians whose names I don't recall.

Wastin Away In L.A. (2021 Remaster)

A dive into a guitar loop, with altered keyboards and rock guitar. This short instrumental replaced the (borrowed from a friend) first theme heard on my podcast series, Into The Woods With Stewart Strauss. I added it, along with Wastin' Away In L.A. as bonus tracks, on Precipice Of Dismay

Into The Woods With Stewart Strauss Podcast Theme

Voice Over acting for animation, children's books, commercials and narration, my voice and recording capabilities are on display for you, the producer or client, to hear.

American HistoryX

Little Wing, by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, has long been one of Rock's greatest songs. This is my humble attempt at a (home quarantined) home studio recording. If not for the pandemic, I would have brought in a better singer, bassist and guitarist, but what fun would that be?
I found a darn tootin' good drummer hanging out in my computer. He goes by Kyle, from SoCal, and he can really play!
All the instrumental tracks were recorded using the Fender Strat in the picture, plugged into the Universal Audio Apollo Twin. The vocal was recorded using a Lauten Audio Atlantis FC-387, which arrived yesterday. 
Thanks for listening!!!

2020/09/25 Addendum... In Mix Number 9, I've added a bit to the mix. A few subtle changes and I think it brings the song more to life. I hope you like it! Cheers!!!
2020/12/20 New Fender bass track and new vocal, creating a new mix. Thanks for listening!

Little Wing (Jimi Hendrix)

Treetop Flyer, by Stephen Stills has always been one of my favorite songs. Here is my humble version of a masters work. I kept it simple, two acoustic guitars, bass and drums. The guitars and bass are tuned to a Drop D tuning. It's the third song in a row that I've recorded with a Drop D bass tuning. Amazing Grace/House of The Rising Sun, Everybody Needs Somebody To Love and Treetop Flyer. I hope you enjoy my arrangement! Thanks for listening!!!

Tree Top Flyer by Stephen Stills, Performed by Stewart Strauss

It's been said that I'm one of the best mimes in film and television. Some say I play a perfectly good guitar. Some even love when I talk, like on the Into The Woods With Stewart Strauss podcast.
I’m releasing an album on September 7, 2021. It’s called Precipice Of Dismay, by Stewart Strauss. It features six originals and six cover songs. You’ll be able to find it wherever you stream and download music 🎼🎶🎙🎸🪘🎧💿🥳

Stewart "Stew" Strauss

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