The title track of singer-songwriter Bill Ludwig's upcoming album, "Beautiful".

Bill Ludwig has spent the last five months of quarantine learning to play the cheap mandolin he bought in September, 2020. But instead of taking lessons or watching Youtube videos or something useful like that, he decided to plunk away and write songs on this new instrument.

The resulting album is raw, stripped-down and full of simple songs written by an accomplished songwriter handicapped by an inability to fluently play his instrument. A fun and exciting challenge resulting in a set of compelling songs often relying on strong vocal melodies and thick, lush harmonies.

This track is itself Bill's take on "an Irish toast" - released in time for St Patrick's Day, 2021.

Beautiful

A song in tribute to the 2021 Championship Little Leaguers of Manchester, CT! Let's hear it!

Lets Hear It!

A short, live set at the 3rd Annual Manchester, CT Songwriters Association Concert in the Park on September 11, 2021.

Setlist:

1. Wait Till Later
2. No Dusty Trails
3. Magdalena and the Nightbirds Melody
4. It Was Your Turn
5. Kind

Video can be viewed here:

https://youtu.be/_l6IUiZOxsk

Live Set, Concert in the Park, Manchester, Connecticut - September 11, 2021

The debut release by songwriter Bill Ludwig, "The Elephant" is at times light and whimsical, at others stark and honest. The songs are full of lyrical poetry and ethereal tones, while staying grounded in Bill's humor and clarity of idea and theme. Moving seamlessly from folk to blues, ballad to lullaby.

Several of these songs were written with Bill's three children in mind ("The Elephant", "Mother Father", "Sheltered"), and their playful imagination is immediately heard in this "family friendly with an edge" psychedelic-folk album. Other songs deal with age and relevance ("Twenty", "You Don't Believe"), loss and change ("Everything's Easier (This Way)") and every parent's daydream of a weekend away without the kids ("Getaway").

Beautifully packaged in premium materials - surrounded by Bill's own artwork, w/fold-out lyric sheet, this is an album in the classic sense of the term, intended to be listened to from start to finish with a cool drink on a lazy day.

06 - Sheltered

01 - Getaway

A tribute to one of my musical heroes, tragically gone too soon... This song completely changed the way I approached songwriting.  A poor attempt, as Chris is one of the most spectacular singers in rock history.  Please go find the original version on Euphoria Morning.  What an amazing album.

Rest in peace.

Sweet Euphoria - Chris Cornell, rest in peace

An original Irish drinking song for my hometown of Manchester, CT!  As the Official Town Troubadour of Manchester, what better way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and my town than with a tale of Leprechauns hiding gold set to an Irish pub song?!?

Featuring the amazing Irish fiddle stylings of Stephen Prout!

Three Cheers For Manchester!

From my upcoming children's album "Big Songs For Small People", it's 'The Littlest Werewolf'!

Officially released May, 2019!

Big Songs For Small People

The Littlest Werewolf

Alissa Murray wrote these incredible words... and shared it at my bi-weekly Songwriters Group in Manchester, CT. Alissa presented it with the idea that someone might set it to music, so I did.

Great lyrics, great song. I hope you enjoy it.

Release Me

Release Me by Alissa Murray (music by me)

August 1, 2019
Center Springs Park
Manchester, CT

Setlist:
Twenty
Alacrity
Road Song
One If By Land
Younger Generation (John Sebastian cover)
Handsome Johnny (Richie Havens cover)

Solo Set - 8/1/2019 - Manchester, CT Songwriters Association Concert In The Park

I woke up at 4am unable to fall back to sleep. Sat down probably a little bit still asleep and wrote a song and recorded it into my Zoom. Listened back and liked it enough to make a lyric video.

It's an odd one. The verse is instrumental with a vocal "refrain" maybe you'd call it? And the "chorus" is in a different key maybe?

Steel and Clay

Another stream of consciousness tune about a dream I had hanging out with girl undersea...

This was a quick Zoom demo recording and the levels shift a little throughout. But I think it's listenable enough.

bill_ludwig_music

Popular tracks