Let it flow

To discuss Forrest Richardson’s music is to first talk about the things it does not involve. No formal training or overt influences, no reading or writing of sheet music, no practices, no arrangements, no second chances. Last fall the 58-year-old Baton Rouge native walked into the recording studio at the LSU School of Music with sound engineer Bill Kelley. Four hours later he left with 40 tracks, each a unique, emotive melody of classical, New Age exploration, and each documented in a single take.

“I just sit at the piano, and it flows on feelings,” Richardson says. “I don’t have any control over it. It feels like an unlimited source.”

A few weeks after the marathon recording session, doctors diagnosed Richardson with cancer. It has slowed him down a little, but he is on the upswing after surgery. With only two rickety, out-of-tune pianos at home, Richardson plays elsewhere whenever he can, including in retirement homes and occasionally on the piano Henry Gray graces at the Piccadilly Cafeteria on Government Street. With help from the Tipitina’s Foundation Music Co-op, he mixed songs, designed an album cover and posted his work to YouTube under the name “forrestwoodring.”

Those familiar with the cult following of songwriter Daniel Johnston will recognize that same fragile “outsider art” mentality in Richardson. Like Johnston, Richardson’s work is beginning to get noticed. A deal is in the works to sell his disc, titled Woodwinds Select, through Barnes & Noble as well as in local outlets. Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge recently used one of his songs in a marketing campaign and helped produce the CD. Richardson says this is God’s music, so he doesn’t want to profit from it. All proceeds benefit Cancer Services.

“It’s a great opportunity for a client to give back to an agency that helped him, and we’re so grateful for that,” says Kristie Carline, a marketing associate with Cancer Services. “It’s a soothing selection of music, and it’s very relaxing for cancer patients and anyone to listen to.”