George Usher

Veteran New York singer/songwriter George Usher returns to action with a new album that’s been some 30 years in the making, Stevensonville. Twelve original songs, each about a citizen of the fictional town of the album is named for. Each is accompanied by a full color illustration and lyrics collected in a 12” x 12”, 28-page booklet. This is a limited edition, individually numbered 12” LP vinyl pressing of 200, being released March 20.

Stevensonville is a 12-part illustrated song-cycle that delves into the myriad goings on in its namesake locale. Each song and illustration represents a different inhabitant of Stevensonville. They sometimes reference each other in the manner of Edgar Lee Masters’ Spoon River Anthology or Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. The characters who people dark, repressed Stevensonville have their own very unusual and pressing issues to cope with, before they can gamble on leaving. George Usher’s poetic lyrics and folk-rock and chamber pop musical settings combine with Laurie Webber’s colorful, magnetic illustrations for a stunning, unique presentation.

George and illustrator Webber first conceived Stevensonville 30 years ago as a literate, artistic, musical project. However, Usher’s businesspeople were put off by the projected cost of recording it and manufacturing album packaging that included the hefty booklet of illustrations in view of its likely limited commercial prospects. The song cycle was performed live twice over the years, once at the Bowery Poetry Club in New York City to an enthusiastic audience. Then, it was set aside and forgotten…until now, when Ahoy Larry Pursuits and Strothard Bulldog Productions have joined forces to finally produce the album and booklet for George Usher’s Stevensonville, as it was always intended. 

Stevensonville was produced by Tony Shanahan (Patti Smith Group), with Andy York on guitar (John Mellencamp), Brian Griffin on drums (Brandi Carlile, Black Crowes), Andy Burton on keyboards (Ian Hunter) and David Mansfield on strings (Bob Dylan, others).

George Usher has been a vital part of New York City music scene since the late 1970’s. The Village Voice called him, “one of New York’s best pop craftsmen.” He led or was a member of a number of NYC/Hoboken based bands including The Decoys, Beat Rodeo, The Schramms, and House Of Usher during the 80’s and 90’s. 

Usher co-wrote the title tracks to Bongos frontman Richard Barone’s “Cloud Over Eden” solo album and River To River EP with Barone. Country chanteuse Laura Cantrell recorded his song, “Not The Tremblin’ Kind” and made it the title track of her album debut.

Over the years, George has released seven solo albums; a 2-CD Anthology 12” LP vinyl  is available on Bandcamp. He has recorded two collaborative albums with Edward Rogers as well as two with Lisa Burns, including the critically acclaimed, The Last Day Of Winter.