In 2000, the itch (more like a calling) to make a new album took hold. And so it was that, after a few false starts and the renovation of Robby’s home studio, the direction of the new album would begin to take shape. The sound would be more organic, with acoustic guitars, drums, sitar, flute and piano featured much more prominently. Drum loops, electric guitars and basses and organs would be used to accent rather than dominate the mix.
As each new song was written, the enthusiasm of everyone involved increased. Without a doubt, this album would be special.
Gravity, Van Gogh's fifth full-length album, was released on April 1, 2001.
Gravity is the perfect title for the new CD, as the songs deal with some pretty weighty subject matter. From observations on the loss of the soul in our modern, consumer-driven society ("What Have You Done?"); and the culture of victimization, where no one takes responsibility for the consequences of their actions ("Slow Drive"); to the danger of being unable to distinguish lust from love ("Sweetness"); and the seemingly pandemic modern fear of commitment ("Someone To Break Her Heart").
Gravity also features songs that celebrate more positive, yet no less weighty subjects: the joys of marital love ("You'll Be The One"); and the mysteries of grace ("Beggar At Your Gate"); faith ("Light By Braille"); and redemption ("Back To The Fall"). And they once again rework a Beatles song ("Lady Madonna") and make it their own.
Gravity is also the perfect title for this album because, like gravity, it's irresistible. There is an energy and vibrancy to the songs that pulls you in and won't let you go. Just as the lyrics move you to think, the music moves you to dance. These are songs for the heart and the head. It may look effortless, but don't be fooled: this is art for the discerning ear, a creative tour de force that only gets better with each listen.
The young lady on the cover of the Gravity album is Ricky and Robby's mom, Tes, when she was a little girl.
Assitant Engineer: Ed McLennan
All Lyrics: Ricky Heisner
Music: Robby Heisner (except * by: Robby Heisner and Ed McLennan)
Girl on Album Cover: Tes (Ricky & Robby's mom)
Inside Photos: Andrew Carter
Mastered by: Rodney Mills Masterhouse
Van Gogh is:
Lead Vocals: Robby Heisner
Lead Harmony: Ricky Heisner
Acoustic Guitar, Flute & Sitar: Ed McLennan
Drums, Zendrum & Percussion: Brett Nadel
Additional Musicians:
Dave Harrington
Tommy Vickery
Mark Denning
Brian Turner
Scott Derryberry
Kevin Wyglad
Andrew Carter
Mike Molloy
John Bancheri
Steve Stone (courtesy of The Atlanta Rhythm Section)
All Songs © Heisner
*except: Lady Madonna
by Lennon & McCartney (BMI) EMI/Blackwood Music Sony/ATV Songs
*and: For What It's Worth
by Stephen A. Stills (BMI) Cotillion Music Inc., Richie Furay Music, Springalo
Toones & Ten-East Music (BMI)
Another Song
Lead vocal: Robby Heisner
Lead Harmony & Bridge: Ricky Heisner
Acoustic Guitar: Ed McLennan
Drums: Brett Nadel
Guitar: Brian Turner
Lead Guitar: Dave Harrington
Bass: Tommy Vickery
Keyboards: Andrew Carter
Background Vocals: Ricky Heisner, Robby Heisner & Chris Brake
You'll Be The One
Lead Vocal: Robby Heisner
Harmony: Ricky Heisner
Acoustic Guitar: Ed McLennan
Drums: Brett Nadel
Guitar: Brian Turner
Lead Guitar: Dave Harrington
Bass: Tommy Vickery
Keyboards: Andrew Carter
Background Vocals:
Ricky Heisner, Robby Heisner & Chris Brake
What Have You Done
Lead Vocal: Robby Heisner
Lead Harmony: Ricky Heisner
Acoustic Guitar: Ed McLennan
Drums: Brett Nadel
Guitar: Brian Turner
Lead Guitar: Dave Harrington
Bass: Tommy Vickery
Keyboards: Andrew Carter
Background Vocals:
Ricky Heisner, Robby Heisner & Chris Brake
Sweetness
Lead Vocals: Robby Heisner
Lead Harmony: Ricky Heisner
Acoustic Guitar: Ed McLennan
Drums: Brett Nadel
Lead Guitar: Steve Stone
Bass: Scott Derryberry
Background
Vocals: Ricky Heisner, Robby Heisner &
Chris Brake
Slow Drive
Lead Vocals: Robby Heisner
Lead Harmony: Ricky Heisner
Acoustic Guitar & Sitar: Ed McLennan
Drums: Brett Nadel
Guitar: Brian Turner
Lead Guitar: Dave Harrington
Bass: Tommy Vickery
Keyboards: Mark Denning
Background
Vocals: Ricky Heisner, Robby Heisner &
Chris Brake
Lady Madonna
Lead Vocal: Robby Heisner
Lead Harmony: Ricky Heisner
Acoustic Guitar & Sitar: Ed McLennan
Drums: Brett Nadel
Guitar: Brian Turner & Dave Harrington
Bass: Scott Derryberry
Keyboards: Andrew Carter
Background
Vocals: Ricky Heisner, Robby Heisner &
Chris Brake
Everything's About You
Lead Vocals: Robby Heisner
Lead Harmony: Ricky Heisner
Acoustic Guitar: Ed McLennan
Drums: Brett Nadel
Lead Guitar & Talk Box: Steve Stone
Guitar: Brian Turner
Bass: Scott Derryberry
Keyboards: Mark Denning
Background
Vocals: Ricky Heisner, Robby Heisner &
Chris Brake
Back To The Fall
Lead Vocal: Robby Heisner
Lead Harmony & Bridge: Ricky Heisner
Acoustic Guitar, Flute & Sitar: Ed McLennan
Drums: Brett Nadel
Lead Guitar: Dave Harrington
Bass: Tommy Vickery
Keyboards: Andrew Carter
Background
Vocals: Ricky Heisner, Robby Heisner &
Chris Brake
For What It's Worth
Lead Vocals: Robby Heisner & Ricky Heisner
Acoustic Guitar: Ed McLennan
Drums: Brett Nadel
Lead Guitar: Steve Stone
Bass: Scott Derryberry
Keyboards: Andrew Carter
Background
Vocals: Ricky Heisner, Robby Heisner &
Chris Brake
Beggar At Your Gate
Lead Vocal: Robby Heisner
Lead Harmony: Ricky Heisner
Acoustic Guitar & Flute: Ed McLennan
Drums: Brett Nadel
Lead Guitar & Talk Box: Steve Stone
Bass: Scott Derryberry
Background
Vocals: Ricky Heisner, Robby Heisner &
Chris Brake
Someone To Break Her Heart
Lead Vocal: Robby Heisner
Lead Harmony: Ricky Heisner
Acoustic Guitar: Ed McLennan
Drums: Brett Nadel
Guitar: Mike Molloy & Dave Harrington
Bass: Tommy Vickery
Harmonica: John Bancheri
Keyboards: Andrew Carter
Background
Vocals: Ricky Heisner, Robby Heisner &
Chris Brake
Light By Braille
Lead Vocal: Robby Heisner
Lead Harmony & Bridge: Ricky Heisner
Acoustic Guitar: Ed McLennan
Drums: Brett Nadel
Guitar: Brian Turner
Lead Guitar: Dave Harrington
Bass: Scott Derryberry
Keyboards: Mark Denning
Background
Vocals: Ricky Heisner, Robby Heisner &
Chris Brake
Ready, Willing, and Able
Lead Vocal (Right): Robby Heisner
Lead Vocal (Left): Ricky Heisner
Acoustic Guitar & Flute: Ed McLennan
Drums: Brett Nadel
Bass: Kevin Wyglad
Keyboards: Robby Heisner
Background
Vocals: Ricky Heisner, Robby Heisner &
Ed McLennan
And We Are
Lead Vocal: Robby Heisner
Lead Harmony: Ricky Heisner
Acoustic Guitar & Flute: Ed McLennan
Drums: Brett Nadel
Bass: Kevin Wyglad
Keyboards: Robby Heisner
Background
Vocals: Ricky Heisner, Robby Heisner &
Ed McLennan
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