1. Courage (Intro)
While preparing to record live guitars on "Courage", Jack Hues (Wang Chung) started to rehearse and experiment with the voicing and his approach to the playing of the song's chords. While he was rehearsing, it occurred to my manager, Diane Poncher, who was at the session, that the way Jack was playing was beautiful, so we hit the "record" button, and caught his rehearsal and improvisation in real time (without the rhythm track). I later added atmospheric, ambient drone synthesizers to his playing ... and it occurred to us that this was the perfect intro/prelude to the actual song, "Courage", which follows right after. Thank you, Jack Hues.2. Courage
"I see courage in every simple act of love". When I wrote this lyric, I knew I was approaching this song's subject matter in a more unusual way. The concept of courage has been expressed in myriads of ways ... my personal take on it here is that it takes courage to battle fear, oppression and the fact that we are all transient & face death, and yet still act with love, and that is a courageous act. Love is the most noble of human traits - every simple act of love is momentous and often very brave. Against all the odds, we show courage when we act in the name of love.
3. Fade
I was once asked, a long time ago, by a supporter of my music to try and write a song about the awful effects of Alzheimer’s Disease. Most of my songwriting is about restoration and psychological healing … so this particular fan thought I may have some musical insights or sensitivity into this delicate subject. This is what the song, “Fade” is about - through the eyes of someone who is in contact with, looking after, watching over their partner who has Alzheimer’s; the awful vision of their loved one slowly losing the cognitive recognitions of their partner, the fading of their history together, of their love, into the abyss of the disease. But still, the hope is there, because, at times, ‘contact’ is re-made and recognition returns. There is the terrible frustration as well when the caregiver is exhausted, scared and angry at the loss of communication and recognition, angry at the “fading” of their loved one.
4. To Feel
This is a song about allowing yourself to "feel" - being open to sensation and, more importantly, "love". We often shut down our senses in fear of being hurt. But real beauty is only sensed in openness and surrender.
There is a vague Celtic feel to this track - my love of Gaelic influences creeps in, hence, the additional keyboards here by Paul Joseph Moore (of the Scottish band, "The Blue Nile").
5. Your Whole Heart
This song is dedicated to my good friend and drummer, Jimmy Copley, who succumbed to the disease of Leukemia, just before he could play on this album. It's also dedicated to all those who bravely fight terminal illness. During Jimmy's last days, I could feel and see his whole heart - what he was made of, his unbelievable bravery and resolve, his beautiful character and nature. It humbled me. We spoke a few days before he passed and his "whole heart" was evident to me. In fact, this whole album was started, unknowingly, by me writing just a few initial songs to encourage Jimmy to get out of hospital - written purely for his recovery. "Your Whole Heart" is testament to Jimmy's memory, and that he was the conduit to this album's birth.
6. Eve
"Eve" is a song about womankind, what the women of the world mean to the world: The strength, resilience, inspiration and love of womankind. As my lyric says, "Eve, you're the comfort of the world". Eve represents the first woman of Earth, and for me, she represents the best of the world. From mother, sister, nurse, lover, caregiver, comforter, guide, motivator, validator, etc. Eve is beauty personified in her inner nature
7. Black Sun
I was tremendously inspired by the story of Hugues De Montelembert, a New York artist who was blinded in a viscious attack in 1978, when paint thinner was thrown into his eyes by his assailants. Eighteen months after being blinded, Hughes began traveling the world alone and rediscovered his human nature through his four other senses. My lyric, "I see more now that I am blind", references Hughes' remarkable story and how he combated his ego and other negative emotions.
I'm a huge fan of reggae, so this track was a delight to record; highlighted by Trevor Thornton's drums and Neil Taylor's Cajun-inflected guitar licks.
8. Simplicity
It was a thrill to have Ray Parker, Jr., playing guitar on this track. I have R&B roots, and grew up learning bass guitar to the music of Motown, Hall and Oats, Al Green, etc. "Simplicity" allowed me to touch upon my love of soul music. I'm particularly pleased with my lead vocal on this song, which was a first-take mostly. The search for simplicity and peace of mind in our lives is a noble, but tough ask ... I know, it's a constant search of mine.
9. Little Bird
This is a jam - a fun groove that I think breaks the seriousness of the album. Thanks to the intervention of my long-time manager, Diane Poncher, "Little Bird" makes its appearance here. Diane also sings on the track and even arranges it with me ... such is her belief in this funky spark.
The track was recorded in a loose, live jamming feel - very Junior Walker vibes.
Again, Ray Parker, Jr., graces the track with his unmistakable funk guitar licks, and the great Gary Meek added stunning saxaphone and horn arrangements. My lead vocal was taken from my first-day guide vocal session ... such is the rawness and the fun of the moment and the sessions. "I'm looking for my Little Bird, she's dancing in New Orleans".
10. Abraham
This is possibly my favorite song on the album. It holds a special place for me because it was written when I was hoping to get Jimmy Copley over from England to play with me again - we were quite a strong rhythm section together (bass and drums). So it was written right at the beginning of the whole project, when a spiritual motivation was ruling my instincts and my writing.
Also, at that time, I was feeling that we lacked in our political leaders an inspirational elegance - in their speeches and messages. Gone was the deep-souled, compassionate voice of reason, replaced by cheap, quick, hollow soundbites. I had been reading the speaches of Abraham Lincoln, and I could not help but to be inspired deeply and emotionally. The angels of our better natures were stirred. His words were authentic (I missed that in this contemporary time). Also, in the Bible -- in many religions and beliefs, Abraham represents the image of holiness, goodness. I tried to bring these two resonances together in "Abraham".
The beautiful guitar playing of the extraordinary Canadian guitarists, Bill Dillon and Russell Broom, are featured here augmenting my keyboard playing.
11. Breathe In My Heart
I see "Breathe In My Heart" as a hymn; a song about trusting in love. From early on, I knew it was the song to end the album. It's also a song I believe was built to play "live" ... I'd be eager to beseech the audience to breathe in with me, breathe in the air of love.
And what a privilege it was to have Andy Innes (in Johannesburg, South Africa) record and arrange a Zulu Choir to "breathe" passion into this song. After Andy did an amazing transcription of my lyrics from English into Zulu, I realized I had a universal song and message on my hands. Again, sublime guitars by Bill Dillon and Russell Broom add to the spiritual elements and character of the song. My lyrics are free thought, formed mostly from organic phoenetic vocal phrasing. In many ways, it's purely a poem, asking someone to trust in another's devotion and love; to surrender oneself, and allow oneself to simply be loved for who they truly are. To be emotionally open and brave. Breathe in the love that is being offered.
3. Fade
I was once asked, a long time ago, by a supporter of my music to try and write a song about the awful effects of Alzheimer’s Disease. Most of my songwriting is about restoration and psychological healing … so this particular fan thought I may have some musical insights or sensitivity into this delicate subject. This is what the song, “Fade” is about - through the eyes of someone who is in contact with, looking after, watching over their partner who has Alzheimer’s; the awful vision of their loved one slowly losing the cognitive recognitions of their partner, the fading of their history together, of their love, into the abyss of the disease. But still, the hope is there, because, at times, ‘contact’ is re-made and recognition returns. There is the terrible frustration as well when the caregiver is exhausted, scared and angry at the loss of communication and recognition, angry at the “fading” of their loved one.
4. To Feel
This is a song about allowing yourself to "feel" - being open to sensation and, more importantly, "love". We often shut down our senses in fear of being hurt. But real beauty is only sensed in openness and surrender.
There is a vague Celtic feel to this track - my love of Gaelic influences creeps in, hence, the additional keyboards here by Paul Joseph Moore (of the Scottish band, "The Blue Nile").
5. Your Whole Heart
This song is dedicated to my good friend and drummer, Jimmy Copley, who succumbed to the disease of Leukemia, just before he could play on this album. It's also dedicated to all those who bravely fight terminal illness. During Jimmy's last days, I could feel and see his whole heart - what he was made of, his unbelievable bravery and resolve, his beautiful character and nature. It humbled me. We spoke a few days before he passed and his "whole heart" was evident to me. In fact, this whole album was started, unknowingly, by me writing just a few initial songs to encourage Jimmy to get out of hospital - written purely for his recovery. "Your Whole Heart" is testament to Jimmy's memory, and that he was the conduit to this album's birth.
6. Eve
"Eve" is a song about womankind, what the women of the world mean to the world: The strength, resilience, inspiration and love of womankind. As my lyric says, "Eve, you're the comfort of the world". Eve represents the first woman of Earth, and for me, she represents the best of the world. From mother, sister, nurse, lover, caregiver, comforter, guide, motivator, validator, etc. Eve is beauty personified in her inner nature
7. Black Sun
I was tremendously inspired by the story of Hugues De Montelembert, a New York artist who was blinded in a viscious attack in 1978, when paint thinner was thrown into his eyes by his assailants. Eighteen months after being blinded, Hughes began traveling the world alone and rediscovered his human nature through his four other senses. My lyric, "I see more now that I am blind", references Hughes' remarkable story and how he combated his ego and other negative emotions.
I'm a huge fan of reggae, so this track was a delight to record; highlighted by Trevor Thornton's drums and Neil Taylor's Cajun-inflected guitar licks.
8. Simplicity
It was a thrill to have Ray Parker, Jr., playing guitar on this track. I have R&B roots, and grew up learning bass guitar to the music of Motown, Hall and Oats, Al Green, etc. "Simplicity" allowed me to touch upon my love of soul music. I'm particularly pleased with my lead vocal on this song, which was a first-take mostly. The search for simplicity and peace of mind in our lives is a noble, but tough ask ... I know, it's a constant search of mine.
9. Little Bird
This is a jam - a fun groove that I think breaks the seriousness of the album. Thanks to the intervention of my long-time manager, Diane Poncher, "Little Bird" makes its appearance here. Diane also sings on the track and even arranges it with me ... such is her belief in this funky spark.
The track was recorded in a loose, live jamming feel - very Junior Walker vibes.
Again, Ray Parker, Jr., graces the track with his unmistakable funk guitar licks, and the great Gary Meek added stunning saxaphone and horn arrangements. My lead vocal was taken from my first-day guide vocal session ... such is the rawness and the fun of the moment and the sessions. "I'm looking for my Little Bird, she's dancing in New Orleans".
10. Abraham
This is possibly my favorite song on the album. It holds a special place for me because it was written when I was hoping to get Jimmy Copley over from England to play with me again - we were quite a strong rhythm section together (bass and drums). So it was written right at the beginning of the whole project, when a spiritual motivation was ruling my instincts and my writing.
Also, at that time, I was feeling that we lacked in our political leaders an inspirational elegance - in their speeches and messages. Gone was the deep-souled, compassionate voice of reason, replaced by cheap, quick, hollow soundbites. I had been reading the speaches of Abraham Lincoln, and I could not help but to be inspired deeply and emotionally. The angels of our better natures were stirred. His words were authentic (I missed that in this contemporary time). Also, in the Bible -- in many religions and beliefs, Abraham represents the image of holiness, goodness. I tried to bring these two resonances together in "Abraham".
The beautiful guitar playing of the extraordinary Canadian guitarists, Bill Dillon and Russell Broom, are featured here augmenting my keyboard playing.
11. Breathe In My Heart
I see "Breathe In My Heart" as a hymn; a song about trusting in love. From early on, I knew it was the song to end the album. It's also a song I believe was built to play "live" ... I'd be eager to beseech the audience to breathe in with me, breathe in the air of love.
And what a privilege it was to have Andy Innes (in Johannesburg, South Africa) record and arrange a Zulu Choir to "breathe" passion into this song. After Andy did an amazing transcription of my lyrics from English into Zulu, I realized I had a universal song and message on my hands. Again, sublime guitars by Bill Dillon and Russell Broom add to the spiritual elements and character of the song. My lyrics are free thought, formed mostly from organic phoenetic vocal phrasing. In many ways, it's purely a poem, asking someone to trust in another's devotion and love; to surrender oneself, and allow oneself to simply be loved for who they truly are. To be emotionally open and brave. Breathe in the love that is being offered.
