Information on Lee Russell/Al Rainy

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 10:44 pm

I would like to find out any background information on Lee Russell and Al Rainy who collaborated on "In His Own Quiet Way (Thank Him for His Blessing)" and "There's No Two Ways About It." Russell also wrote a song "Good Morning, Lord" although there have been several since then with the same title but different Lyrics.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 19, 2009 7:22 am

Who is this?

doowopbrothers · Post by **doowopbrothers** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 8:35 pm

my father was Al Rainy who co-wrote many religious songs with Lee Russell of NYC. Walking on the water, Healing hands, etc... i would like to find out if these recordings are being played anywhere in the world. I know Lee often traveled to Africa in the 70`s..

Geoffrey · Post by **Geoffrey** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 4:34 pm

For what it's worth, long after the original post, Lee Russell did not write "Good Morning Lord" but sang it and included it on his album "On My Way to Heaven". The label on the record (the physical record, not the album jacket) credits "Casey—Towle". The Catalog of Copyright Entries (Third Series, Volume 9, Part 5B, Number 1, Unpublished Music, January—June 1955, page 507) shows "Good Morning Lord, words Tony James Casey, music Ernie William Towle, 15 Dec 55 EU420385.

If doowopbrothers is still watching this topic, I have been trying to find information on Lee Russell in particular, but also Al Rainy (Albert Raiani), Gary Romero, and Liza Redfield. Lee recorded 15 albums. I've been able to acquire 11 of them from eBay, plus the sheet music book, Hidden Treasures, which includes 101 songs that Russell and Rainy and Romero (in various combinations) wrote. Redfield is listed as the arranger. I have been to Albert Raiani's grave (and that of his wife) in Long Island National Cemetary (while visiting friends in Commack).

I have not been able to find any information on Lee Russell after 1983 (either from the Internet or from his albums). I'd like to know if he died (perhaps, since he was born in 1920), when, and where, if anyone knows. He dedicated one of his albums to Al Rainy after Al passed away too young (47 years old).

It's a labor of love trying to find out things about other's, particularly if they have passed away, and also particularly if it was 40 years ago or more. Google is great, but only for things it can find. Someday I'd like to summarize what I've found about Lee, Al, Gary, and Liza (though most of it is about Lee). I'm just not a historian nor a biographer nor do I know where I'd upload it. Maybe even try my hand at Wikipedia!

God bless!

Geoffrey Mayer

songinmyheart · Post by **songinmyheart** » Wed Dec 25, 2024 8:35 pm

for continuity sake we're linking this to a similar post
viewtopic.php?t=5472