Quintessential singer/songwriter/musician, fellow Brooklyn, New York native, Brenda Russell, written some of music's most treasured and beloved songs. Whether they're recorded for herself, or the many artists that covered her compositions, Brenda Russell's songs are some of the most recognizable in recorded music history. Most people may know her best from such classic recordings, like 1988's "Piano In The Dark", and depending how old you are, 1979's "So Good, So Right". But on this nine selection, Tommy LiPuma produced, 1983 Warner Brothers Records MASTERPIECE, "Two Eyes", she created some of the FINEST recordings in her entire career, I think.
This landmark, and terribly overlooked album, features some of the most high in demand session musicians and vocalists the music industry had to offer during that particular time. Those musicians include, keyboardist/saxophonist, Larry Williams, bassist Nathan East, drummer John "JR" Robinson, film composer extraodinaire/keyboardist, James Newton Howard, keyboardist/singer Patrice Rushen, keyboardist/producer megalith David Foster, singer/guitarist Christopher Cross, synthesizer wizard Robbie Buchanan, percussion master Paulinho da Costa, the late great session guitarist David Williams, fantastic keyboardist L. Leon Pendarvis, and a slew of extremely gifted heavyweight musicians and vocalists. To this very day, a lot these musicians are still in demand.
Let's take another look at an album, I hope, will get the well deserved recogniton, and radio airplay, it did not receive back in 1983 ...... and still to this day, does not receive. I'm going address this issue later in this retrospective piece, and possibly come up with a plan to change this horrible injustice to this recording. Just hang in there with me ! ....... Oh ! Trust me, it's going to get better ! ;-)
"I Want Love To Find Me" : {Words & Music by Brenda Russell and Bill LaBounty}
The mid tempo'd and feel good nature of this optimistic themed song, is the perfect opener of a great album take will take you a wonderful musical journey. Brenda's in fine form here as she sings in her trademark, sometimes whispery, sensual alto voice. The Fender Rhodes chords as played by L. Leon Pendarvis, supplements the bass synth stylings of Robbie Buchanan, and Bill LaBouty's well placed acoustic piano parts quite well, as well as David Williams' harmonic and beautifully rhythm guitar lines. The Seawind Horns performance delivers the added spark to bring this song home.
"It's Something" : {Words & Music by Brenda Russell & David Foster}
Though wonderfully interpreted by Lalah Hathaway on her brilliant 1990 Virgin Records debut release, Brenda's original verison here, too, is melodically and rhythmically arranged to perfection. Brenda's lead and background vocals is the star of the party here, as they're performed on key, on pitch, and just sound sheer heavenly. David Foster's Fender Rhodes and synthesizer performance, Nathan East's superb bass playing, David Williams' cool guitar licks, and JR Robinson's drum performance, are the key elements that hold this jazzy and soothing track together.
"Hello People" : {Words & Music by Brenda Russell and Michael McDonald}
This upbeat, danceable, and festive sounding track find Brenda in a comfortable zone as she sings will exurberance and pure delight. The presence of Michael McDonald on Fender Rhodes is surely felt as you can slighty hear the chords used on his hit, "I Keep Forgettin'". Nathan East's lively bass guitar lines, and synthesizers, more than likely the Prophet 5 and/or Oberheim OBX-a, gives the track an aural soundscape that's very infectious. The late drummer, Toto's Jeff Pocaro is featured here on Tambourine, as JR Robinson hold down the drum chair. This song is truly one of many shining moments on this album.
"Two Eyes" : {Words & Music by Brenda Russell}
This track has got be, hands down, one of the greatest songs in Brenda's songbook. It's mid tempo, mellow, slight AORish (Adult Oriented Rock) feel, comes complete with, once again, the distinctive Fender Rhodes performance, and chords of L.Leon Pendarvis, the Rock N' Roll infused fuzz guitar of David Williams, the steady back beat of JR Robinson, and the magnificent triangle nuances courtesy of Paulinho da Costa. It's a song I could easily hear on Adult Contemporary radio. Once again, this truly one of Brenda's excellent performances, both in the lead and background vocal chores. An epic song to say the least !!
"Stay Close" : {Words by Brenda Russell & Music by Dave Grusin's brother, Don Grusin}
What Brenda Russell project is complete without a ballad ? On this particular song, romanticism reigns supreme here. This is a "Wedding Song" du jour. The shared keyboard work of James Newton-Howard and co-writer Don Grusin, paints a picture of a couple alone in a cafe somewhere in France, having two glasses of red wine. Once again, Nathan East's bass guitar performed lines will just drown you in love, as does the nimble soulful rhythm guitar pickings of David Williams. Brenda's emotional and passionate vocal delivery is just as beautiful as the song itself. You simply cannot go wrong with this one for the Slow Jam menu in your iPod.
"Jarreau" : {Words & Music by Brenda Russell}
Here we get to hear Brenda on acoustic piano for the first time. This reggae, brazilian influenced song is yet another standout track on the album. Obviously dedicated to her then Warner Bros. labelmate, Al Jarreau, she scats and sings like that of Mr. Jarreau, while delivering some of her most memorable performed verses in an almost monotone whisper. But it works just fine on this song. Brenda's beautifully acoustic piano parts, alongside L. Leon Pendarvis's classic Fender Rhodes performed chords and runs, are like a hand in glove, they fit just right. You can hear the musical chemistry in both their performances. The rhythm and horn section are rhythmically tight as ever.
"New York Bars" : {Words & Music by Brenda Russell} - {Refer to the YouTube Audio Clip At The End Of This Retrospective Review}
This song is my personal favorite on "Two Eyes". This mid to funky tempo'd number just grooves from start to finish. From the opening acoustic piano line to the blazing saxophone solo by Larry Williams, this song has "New York Anthem" written over it. Look, if Frank Sinatra and Jay-Z/Alicia Keys could have a "NYC" themed hit, why can't this one be ? Brenda's lead vocal delivery on some of the verses is down right funky and NYC attitude-ish, but you gotta love it ! ... and you guessed it, the rhythm section held it down once again on the melody and vibe.
"I'll See You Again" : {Words & Music by Brenda Russell}
On this Beatle-esqe sounding tune, we hear Ms. Russell on acoustic piano, playing in perfect harmony with L.Leon Pendarvis's omnipresent Fender Rhodes. This time around, we're blessed with a harmonica solo from none other than Mr. Steveland Morris a.k.a. Mr. Stevie Wonder, and what a blessing it is ! James Newton-Howard's brilliant synthesizer work, Nathan East's single bass note performance, JR Robinson's laid back drum work, Caleb Quaye's ching chang electric guitar, and Paulinho da Costa's always on point, creates the perfect backdrop for this laid back and mellow tune. Another beautiful work of art, one to have in the repeat mode in the iPod.
"Look Down, Young Soldier" : {Words & Music by Brenda Russell}
I mean .... I .... I .... I can't even find even the words to best descibe this song. Calling it 'magnificent', 'brilliant', 'fantastic', 'beautiful', 'poignant', 'spectacular', 'light years ahead of it's time as it relates to the NUMEROUS wars this country is in right now', 'masterstroke', 'paramount', are just mere understatements. With all that being said as it pertains to this song thus, you'd just have to go out and buy it ! Let me add though, you'll hear in the childrens chorus, a tiny Maya Rudolph, Minnie Riperton's daughter, along with an All-Star cast of vocalists. I'm talking Patrice Rushen, Christopher Cross, Leon Ware, David Lasley, James Ingram, Randy Crawford, Rita Coolidge, the aforementioned Al Jarreau, Joe Esposito, and several other great session vocalist. This is pre "We Are The World". I could only imagine what that day was like ! {Brenda, could you please expound on what that day was like ?}
In closing, I'd like to say, when you're listening to an album, from start to finish, you want to feel like you've been given something, a wonderful and neatly wrapped gift. Well, this is that album for me, and I'm sure to all of you reading this that knows the power of this recording. If you have not heard this record, you owe it to yourselves to hear it, or better yet, own it. This way, you'll be given gifts for the rest of your lives. When you do buy it, I have to warn you, DO NOT, and I repeat, DO NOT loan it out to anyone ! Chances are you will NOT see it again ! I PROMISE YOU ! That will happen if you loan this baby out to anyone ! I don't care if it's your wife, your husband, your girlfriend, your boyfriend, ANYBODY ! So to avoid that from happening, do like those old school R&B infomercials and tell them, "Nah my brother, you got to get your own !!"
You can preview this gem at either one of these websites :
Amazon.Com : www.amazon.com/Two-Eyes/dp/B00124BNVI/ref=sr_1_cc_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1302981451&sr=1-3-catcorr
All Music Guide : www.allmusic.com/album/two-eyes-r48473
Brenda Russell's Various Websites :
Official Website : www.brendarussell.com
Facebook Page's :
Twitter Page : www.twitter.com/brendatheartist
YouTube Page : www.youtube.com/brendatheartist
Reverb Nation Page : www.reverbnation.com/#!/brendarussell
****** A MESSAGE TO ALL INTERNET AND TERRESTRIAL, a.k.a. "REGULAR", RADIO STATION OWNERS, DJ'S, PRESENTERS, PROGRAM AND MUSIC DIRECTORS {REGARDLESS OF YOUR FORMAT}, WHO JUST HAPPEN TO BE READING THIS RESTROPECTIVE REVIEW ..... ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD******
I strongly encourage you to visit the Amazon and/or AllMusic websites and preview the selections from "Two Eyes". After doing so, and you've enjoyed what you heard, then I HIGHLY recommend you purchase the disc. Then I urgently SUGGEST you play any of the nine selections on your respective shows. But if you feel inclined to play the ENTIRE disc, by all means, do so, the more the merrier. Please put aside the fact it was released 28 years ago and give this recording the airplay it did not receive in 1983. Great songs NEVER get old, as these songs are truly timeless, and will be appreciated by audiences in 2011, and beyond.
But most important, please make sure your audiences know whom it is they're listening to by displaying their name, song/album title, and any pertinent information they need to know. I'm sure a lot of you do this anyway. I say this for those that do NOT front or back announce. I GUARANTEE you, a good number of your listening audience, not all, but some, didn't know this recording even existed, and wish they had. That's how powerful this recording is
If anyone reading this know of someone with a radio show that may enjoy this album, please forward the link of this review to them please, and encourage them to give this CD a spin(s). They'll be happy they did so. I have one more favor to ask of you radio personnel, would you please be so kind as to let me know if you've, one, purchased it, ..... two, gave it spins, ..... and three, if possible, received any feedback from your listening audience in regards to this album, I'd appreciate it. .... But !! They won't know to give feedback if you don't tell them to.
So please, ask your audiences to call into your shows, if they're live, to voice their opinions, or have them submit emails to you, however you wish. Afterwards, you can either post your comments here at Ran Man's Reviews, or send me an email. My email address is ranyaworld2@yahoo.com {All information will be kept confidential and will not be shared with anyone} .... if you wish not to, I'd understand :-) ..... or better yet, become a Facebook friend of Brenda's and tell her yourself you've added songs from "Two Eyes", or any of her recordings, to your stations playlists ! There, that's better ;-)
The main point I'm driving here is to just give this recording ANY kind of airplay and support it so truly deserves. I'm sure Miss Russell will be eternally grateful, and so would I.
MISS RUSSELL, I WOULD PERSONALLY LIKE TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING WITH THE WORLD, YOUR FANTASTIC PIECES OF ART AS THEY WILL TRULY WITHSTAND THE TEST OF TIME. PLEASE UNDERSTAND, YOU DID NOT RECORD THIS ALBUM IN VAIN, AS I'VE LOVED IT SINCE THE DAY IT WAS RELEASED IN 1983, AND LOVE IT EVEN MORE TODAY IN 2011. IT'S UNFORTUNATE IT DID NOT RECEIVED THE ACCOLADES IT TRULY SHOULD HAVE BACK THEN. BUT THANK GOD, WITH THE HELP OF THE NEW TECHNOLOGIES, ALONG WITH THE CHANGING MUSICAL LANDSCAPE IN WHICH MUSIC IS HEARD AND DELIVERED, "TWO EYES" WILL BE HEARD BY MANY THAT ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS MARVELOUS RECORDING. I, AS I'M SURE THE MANY FANS YOU HAVE AROUND THE WORLD, ARE LOOKING FOWARD WITH GREAT ANTICIPATION TO HEAR ANY FUTURE WORKS OF YOURS. YOU BEST BELIEVE YOU WILL HAVE MY 1,000% SUPPORT.
Thank You All Once Again For Taking The Time To Read This Retrospective Review & God Bless,
Musically Yours,
Ran Man
2 comments:
Excellent review Ran Man... Right On Brother!
Thank You Very Much Jerome, I sincerely appreciate it !
Peace & God's Blessings To You & Yours !
Ran Man
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