Hi Friends,
Greatest part of soldiering the J Ryan Trio thru the last many years has been the wonderful people we’ve met. Second greatest is the songs - each with a tale of the who and how it was added to our library of old school tunes.
Thus I’m sharing with you a few songs we’ll play this Friday (Ally’s Bistro) and Saturday (Shepherds College), and the stories behind how we adopted these fine ditties.
Donny Hathaway – ‘You’ve Got a Friend’
The stoic yet groovy bassist Mr Dave C inadvertently brought us Carol King’s ‘You Got a Friend’ (think James Taylor) when he lent me a live recording of Donny Hathaway’s 1972 version. Forgot I had it until installing a stereo in my wife’s Pontiac. Needing a CD to test the woofers, meowers , tweeters… grabbed the disc and was blown away by the unabridged goodness of this track. The car stereo still works pretty well; the power windows… only occasionally.
Donny Hathaway - You've Got a Friend' - amen
Wayne Shorter - “Footprints”
Brought to the group by samurai of the sax Mr Bobby B, this 1966 classic evokes rain soaked late night New York jazz, Miles Davis recordings spun on vinyl while soaked deep into a Eames recliner, and the resurgence of the term ‘Hi-Fi’. Unabashedly I gotta go with our never-before-released studio recording – link below…
J Ryan Trio - Footprints - cool man, cool
Stevie Wonder – “I Wish”
Nobody blends Motown and Funk like Steveland Morris… more commonly: Stevie Wonder. Added to our set by once-upon-a-time vocalist Kristi, she reported using this tune as an energy booster while cleaning the house. Could be the windex fumes, but I’m thinking this heavy groove thumped out in. perfect. time. by our rhythm section of Dave R and 2xM is where it’s at.
Stevie Wonder - I Wish - nice!
Susan Tadeschi – "Feeling that Music Brings"
Our Kelly-Kelly is rampin’ up to craft soul&blues-drenched vocals on this feel-good festival jam from Susan Tadeschi. Fun fact: the J Ryan Trio invited Susan Tadeschi during her tour stop in Milwaukee to hear us cover her songs… She politely declined.
Susan Tedeschi - Feeling that Music Brings - Live at some jazz festival
Hoagy Carmichael (Norah Jones) "Nearness of You"
Vocals arch legato over frenetic latin rhythm in an arrangement that could only come from the creative mind and ample craft of our very own Double-Downbeat Dave. JRT recording engineered and produced by industry pro Eric of Cherry Pit studios at the link below :
J Ryan Trio - The Nearness of You - featuring Kelly!
Michael Buble – "How Sweet it is to be Loved by You"
Buble does a completely fresh take on this Marvin Gaye classic – recommended by bassist Mighty Mike’s daughter (who is also a great vocalist). One listen and our conclusion was… “yup, that’ll play”.
Michael Buble - How Sweet it Is - I don't care what anyone says, I dig that dude
Government Mule "Soul Shine"
Closing the set with this song belies the odd journey it took for adoption. Keen eared drummer with whom I once worked put me onto this tune. Can’t say I’ve kept in touch, BUT this song remains a sweet gem of music past.
Gov Mule - Soulshine - preachin it
So maybe stop by and request a song that YOU’d like to hear at any of our upcoming outings.
Hey… we’re the J Ryan Trio... We play the greatest music of all time.