NYC-based, Boise-born singer, songwriter and cellist Erin Hall has released her latest single, “Lullaby of 55”.
“Lullaby of 55” is a stirring musical meditation that honors love, life and loss. The track was written as a lullaby to soothe Hall’s late father, Richard, in his final days after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017. “Lullaby of 55” is also a love letter to her family’s cherished cabin at Jug Mountain Ranch outside McCall, Idaho and reminisces on the familiarly traveled Highway 55 that carried Hall and her family to their home away from home.
“It did help me process my grief– temporarily. It gave me focus, it gave me a goal to work on while I was trying to get through the days, and because this song would be a gift to my dad–someone who loved me and believed in me more than anyone– it had to be a song full of love and context. The only problem was that after I finished it, the grief was still there,” said Hall.
Each layer of “Lullaby of 55” is a personal experience for Hall, from writing to recording to producing. Hall recorded the track at Audiolab Studios in Garden City, just shy of her native Boise. Hall worked with several local collaborators, including her sister, Tara, and steel player Dave Manion. Steve Fulton, longtime Idaho singer-songwriter and owner of Audiolab Studios, produced “Lullaby of 55”.
“I was obviously nervous, but she was there with me, my husband was there with me. We were singing to my dad– and that made it so much easier –it was full of love. Tara, my sister, didn’t know the song, I’d only performed it once at my dad’s service, and she missed it,” said Hall “So, Gabe and I sang it to her that morning, and asked if she would come to the studio with us. I was secretly hoping she’d sing on it, and she did. And she was amazing– her energy and presence made everything much more special for me, for all of us. When I heard her voice come in, I started crying. I know my dad is crying!”
“Lullaby of 55” has already made waves in Hall’s home state. The track was featured in the Season 8 Episode 5 hour long special of the Idaho Experience documentary, titled “Idaho In Song”, which explores and celebrates the music of several Idahoan musicians.
“My dad loved music- he had a beautiful voice – baritone – and while not a professional musician, he sang every single chance he could. Rumor has it he and my mom chose the church we grew up in– due in part to their music program – a Methodist Church in Boise Idaho, Cathedral of the Rockies. So, I was singing in choirs at the age of 5 all the way through high school,” said Hall. “The second I started writing my own music, he became my biggest fan. He got so many people to my shows, he helped me raise money for tours to Idaho, he told everyone about me. Kind of embarrassing, at times, but from the sweetest place.”
Hall’s previous works include a self-released 2019 album titled Great Blue, a record that breaks musical barriers with its unique blend of several genres; from Latin, funk and jazz to blues and French pop. Under the moniker Erin and Her Cello, Hall released two more albums, Erin and Her Cello in 2008 and Petit Bisous in 2014.
“I have not had a recording like this before. It was a flow very similar to those turns of Highway 55–you slow down, you lean in to hug the mountain, you gently pull the steering wheel, you listen, and you breathe. It was a beautiful experience,” said Hall.
To keep up with Erin Hall’s latest releases, visit here.
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