February 2003. Black History Month, American History Month, and American Heart Month. We’ll celebrate Groundhog Day with Punxsutawney Phil (116 years old now), Presidents Day, and of course, Valentines Day. And as we approach Valentines Day this year, we’re already more than one month into the New Year, and retailers are planning for next Christmas, workers are planning vacations, and musicians are … well … doing what they always do. Making music.

Suffice it to say, a musicians work is never done. It flows from the heart no matter what day or year it is. Like lava from a volcano the notes and lyrics spew forth day after day, week after week, and year after year. Valentines Day is especially charged with music. A “music of the heart “.

To give someone’s heart means to give him or her one’s whole being. The heart is the center of one’s entire existence and Valentines Day inspires heartfelt people to give the gift of love. For the musician, it is also an inspiration to give the gift of love through music because music is universal.

Many people of greatness celebrate birthdays this month, and several musicians celebrate their birthdays in February. From Eubie Blake (02-07-1883) to Smokey Robinson (02-19-1940). With this festive celebration of birth, we must also endure memorial remembrances for people that have been lost.

In 1971 many of us heard something new in the music world. It was Don McLean’s “American Pie”. It was a brilliant song. A metaphor for the death and rebirth of music, and this month we mark one of the days when the music died. I’m talking about February 3rd 1959. That was when Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper tragically perished in flight.

Now, regretfully we must add February 1st as a day when yet another flight perished. The Space Shuttle Columbia with all its crew. America has suffered a great loss over the plains of Texas as the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia was returning to earth. From my home in Orlando, I actually watched the shuttle launch just 17 days before right from the backyard of my house. Little did I know it would not return home again.

Sad as this moment is, there is one thing we must remember. The crew of the Columbia perished doing what they dreamed of doing for decades. Traveling beyond the bonds of earth, and venturing into the vastness of space. What an inspirational journey it must have been for this heroic crew of seven. My heart goes out to the friends and family and the hardships they must endure. The prayers of the American people are with you all.

Minutes after I heard the news of this tragedy, radio stations eventually ran short on words to describe the event. But the music … yes … the music … said it all for them. Songs like “The Dance” began to play and could force emotional outcries from even inanimate objects. The music allowed us all to come together as one energy without speaking a word. There is only one thing as powerful as a moment of silence … and that is the lyric of love. A song from the heart.

This Valentines Day, take a moment to cherish just how important those close to your hearts really are. Take a box and store away all the things that would become unimportant if this was to be your last day with those you love. Don’t waste precious time on worry and stress. Sing your song, live your dream, and love yourself and others. Be the song that inspires you. Smooth out the rough edges and at the end of the day, vow to do it all over again tomorrow.

Songwriters and musicians depend on you for their next song. Whether you’re inspired by Beethoven, Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, George Jones, Gato Barbieri, or that song from Don McLean … just remember they have all been inspired by us.

“A long long time ago
I can still remember how that music used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And maybe they'd be happy for a while.”




JT

CD Review – Mindi Abair “It Just Happens That Way”
-by Justin Taylor
Release Date: Tuesday February 25, 2003
Verve Records


Besides having the pleasure of interviewing Mindi Abair, I also received an advance copy of her debut CD, “It Just Happens That Way”. This one is chock full ‘o flavour and something for every taste resides inside its’ jewel case. I should also mention that Mindi co-wrote every cut on this CD except for one …a song called “Save Tonight”. Mindi is a Berklee grad, has played with the likes of Jonathan Butler, Adam Sandler, Mandy Moore, and has toured the world with the Backstreet Boys.

Track one and first release from the CD is a tune called Lucy’s. It’s one of those ‘top down, Saturday night’ kinda tunes. Flirt has a funky shuffle to it that makes you want to tap the dash, desk, counter, or whatever ya might find handy at the time. Jeff Golub drops by on this one for some nice guitar licks in typical Golub fashion. Save The Last Dance starts with a nice guitar chord riff as a foundation and it builds from there. You can’t help but anticipate where the song is going. Then … boom! It’s there. Big and bold and very far from disappointing. The pace and the beat picks up as you move through each track. As Good As It Gets is reminiscent of a movie soundtrack piece- with the star riding off, down a 2-lane blacktop… credits rolling. Save Tonight gives Mindi a chance to put down the reeds and pick up a mic. Originally done by Eagle-Eye Cherry, it sounds equally at home with Mindi at the helm. Her vocals are fresh and airy. The horn tricks are tasteful and melodic. And she’s joined here by the vocals of John Taylor of Duran Duran fame.

The title track, a nice, smooth groove called It Just Happens That Way, was inspired by a rap given by Cannonball Adderley on his 1962 live album in New York. “Hipness is not a state of mind. It’s a fact of life. You don’t decide you’re hip … it just happens that way”. Salt And Lime adds a little nightlife to the CD. I closed my eyes and found myself right next to the tiki torches at a beachside watering hole in Cancun. I’m booking airfare tomorrow. If you’re screaming more, more by now, Momo will get ya! Marc Antoine leads off with a wonderful gypsy guitar track. Peter White also adds to the music with his accordion. Correct sir, … accordion. I tried this one with a glass of Chateau Julien and it was a perfect match. The disc rolls on with a light feel to it; a hint of the classic Fender Rhodes stage piano, and to give it some flow, bone and fretless bass. You’ll get it all here: songs that are very fluid and with big, full sound that will make you feel like you’re flying through the Grand Canyon on a glider without a worry in the world. The final cut, Home, is a nice traditional jazzy piece with nothin’ but sax, brushes, and a big daddy upright bass- and that’s all it needs.

Matthew Hager not only produced this fine work, but also adds his musical skills as a member of the crew. Along with folks like Steve Ferrone, Ricky Peterson, Mike Landau, Stan Sargeant, Ty Stevens, Lenny Castro, Dwight Sills, John Taylor, Greg Manning, Dave Carpenter, Lee Thornburg, Bud Harner, and Marc Antoine, both Matthew and Mindi are in great company!

I have enjoyed Mindi’s horn work on the entire CD and like the fact that she’s left most special effects off of her horn through these sessions. Its just pure sax! Buy it … you’ll like it! Rating: A+

Send your questions and comments to: justin@smoothnotesandnews.com







©February 2003 Smooth Notes and News