Al Jarreau - Love Songs - A Review

Originally written in 2008


The year was 1979 - I was 16 years old and had just been hired by WDKX as an intern. My first week on the job, Mr. Langston gave me 10 tickets to the Parliment Funkadelic show with opening act the Sugar Hill Gang. Needless to say, I was a big hit with all of my friends that I invited to go with me.

That was one of the perks about working at the station. I was able to attend all of the concerts that came to town. But at 16, of course I was only interested in going to the hottest shows at the time. So understand my hesitation to go see Al Jarreau. Who? Why would I want to go see him?

The afternoon drive host on WDKX at the time was Marge Bell. She kind of assumed the role of my big sister. She asked me to go see Al Jarreau with her at the Auditorium Theatre. I asked her, "Who is that?" She told me that he was one of the best performers in the business. Even though I didn't believe her and didn't want to go, I went anyway to shut her up. I am so glad I made that decision!

The concert was magical. I had a ball! Al Jarreau took command of the stage and hit notes I didn't even know existed. Al has the voice of an angel. From that day on, I was a loyal fan. I went to the House of Guitars and purchased all of his albums (and yes, I said albums - we listened to vinyl back then). Anytime Al was in the Upstate NY area, I was at the show (Al's sister lives in Victor). I have stayed on top of all of his new releases ever since. Enter in "Love Songs":

The only vocalist in history to net Grammy Awards in three different categories (jazz, pop, and R&B, respectively), Al Jarreau's latest project, "Loves Songs" takes you on a romantic vacation. With songs taken from his extensive catalog from 1976 through 2006, this CD gives you a Jarreau history lesson.

Featuring some of his greatest hits like, "We're In This Love Together", "Teach Me Tonight", "So Good", and "After All", it also includes a surprise Elton John remake, "Your Song".

Some of the new cuts include "Brite N Sunny Babe", which has a real old school groove. "Goodhands Tonight" will keep all of the down home blues folks happy and my personal favorite, "Let It Rain", which features George Benson and Patti Austin. I like to call this my "Funky Sunday Jam." You know - the song you play on Sunday evenings when you are winding down, lounging in your favorite chair, candles lit, glass of wine in hand, preferably with someone seated next to you - Oh My!

Go out and grab a copy of this CD. Long time fans already know, but do yourself a favor if you don't - get on the Jarreau express and take a ride - don't forget to let the top down!

Al Jarreau's "Love Songs" has made The Dean's List.

 RIP - March 12, 1940 – February 12, 2017

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Memories of Mrs. Gloria Langston

Image
  I’ve known Mrs. Langston since I was 16. That’s when I started working at WDKX Radio as an intern. I didn’t work with her often, but would often type letters for her or do filing. I knew I had to be on point whenever I worked on something for her.   She was my boss then, but it wasn’t until I or year or two before I moved to Phoenix in 2002 that our friendship began.   I would often see her at the station while I worked on several events. I would help her with using the computer, but we never quite mastered text messaging. I helped in staging a property she was selling (yes, she was a realtor) and hired her as my realtor to sell my house prior to me moving to Phoenix. When she came to Phoenix for a National Toastmasters event, I moved into the hotel with her and accompanied her to all the events so she wouldn't be alone. We had such a good time! She loved the mountain views from her balcony.   Once I moved back to Rochester in 2008, we became very close. I attended Toastmas
Read more

Looking For A Hot Tub Salesman

Image
I originally wrote this in 2001 for the Democrat & Chronicle while serving on the Board of Contributors. My daughter was getting ready to start her senior year in high school We all remember that TV commercial a few years ago that showed  the  man riding on a shopping cart down  the  aisles of a office supply store.  He was celebrating  the  fact that his kids were going back to school.  All parents know that  the  closer September gets every year,  the  happier we become.  Summers can be a very stressful time for parents.  Trying to find activities to keep kids busy and safe can be almost impossible at times.  Fact is, school is out, but work goes on.  Every year, I have taken  the  first week of school off as vacation from my job just so I could exhale. Now, do you also remember  the  TV commercial for  the  same office supply company where  the  parents are measuring their child’s room so they can install a hot tub?  I always smiled when I saw that commercial because
Read more

The Dean's List - Superbowl Edition

Image
My Cardinals didn't even make the playoffs, so I'm not totally invested. Some of the things that do/will stand out for me: Arizona has been in the national spotlight all week and I think we showed up and showed out. We still have a long way to go, but are no longer the state that the 1993 NFL Superbowl boycotted for not celebrating the Dr. Martin Luther King holiday (the last state to do so). I've said in the past that the PGA shouldn't schedule play during the Superbowl. As always, the Phoenix Open and the Superbowl are held on the same weekend, but this year Phoenix is hosting both. The airport, hotels, restaurants, traffic and car rentals....WHEW!!!!  The revenue for the Valley will be historic, so that's a good thing.  On a positive note, sunshine and the 70's! Gotta love winter in Phoenix!  On a local note, NBC 12 Phoenix, Tram Mai gave the best coverage all week for the Superbowl! She had me laughing until it hurt! I love that during Black History Month, f
Read more