Sy Smith
Mark e-mailed me this track as I was in the studio recording a tune with Rahsaan Patterson
Now I was able to dedicate myself to this (kinda rare) downtempo track from Mark. I was immediately drawn to the sentimental mood of the guitar line, it sounded like the track itself was recalling some fond memory. Rah and I had just had a long conversation about the loss of Teena Marie
I looked up the lyrics and just started making mental notes as to how I would structure of the song. I really liked the idea of starting with "When the push comes to shove" because that phrase was one of my favorites in the original. I always loved when Teena would just "speak" lines, ya know? So I had the basic structure completed, in my head. I was ready to rock. When Grant returned, I barely let him eat his food before I was like "pull up this track, I wanna record something else!" (Sorry Grant. I know I can be a workaholic. Please forgive me. I promise to take more breaks in the future.) Grant passed me some french fries because I guess I, too, need to eat. He pulled up the track and we began recording.
It took about an hour to lay the vocals. Another hour to get a nice rough mix going. Grant and I really liked the mood of this new "Lovergirl". Lady T's lyrics and phrasing lent themselves so well to this backdrop, and it all felt like falling into a bed of velvet rose petals. I was beyond sleepy and spent. So I asked Grant if he'd put some horns down at some point (Grant is a multi-talented engineer and musician on keys/trumpet!). We discussed where the horns would go, and I didn't need to say much because Grant and I come from very similar musical schools of thought. When I woke up the next morning, Grant sent me and Mark this... Mark dug it... And so it goes...
Thank you Teena Marie for your many contributions to the world of music. Your performances, your writing, your musicianship and your voice will remain, and rightfully so, eternally in the world of classic music. Soul, rhythm & blues, and beyond. You are forever a Starchild. This is for you Lady
T. You said, "I just want to rock your world". And that you did.
1 comment:
THANKS A BUNCH FOR THIS POST!! THIS SONG GAVE ME CHILLS AS I READ WHAT SY SAID. THANKS FOR THE INFO SKELLE, KEEP IT COMING!!
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