The Intensity of Love

One Less Bell To Answer and Hey There Lonely Girl are two of my favorite love songs. The story they tell is not my own story, but the romantic intensity in these two tunes is something that I am very familiar with. First, in Marilyn McCoo's heartbreak song, 'One Less Bell to Answer,' the tears and the sadness of a breakup are right out in front for you to feel. As a young man when I first heard this song, my heart jumped in my chest. I felt such strong compassion for the young woman in distress that I yearned to comfort her. Then someone else did exactly what I couldn't do. It was singer, Eddie Holman who answered that bell. He came out with his song, 'Hey There Lonely Girl,' which passionately delivered all the love and compassion a brokenhearted young woman would need. His song was heavy-hearted and  achieved just the right 'yearning for love,' touch. Then he sang the very words that I imagined that I would've said. He promised to, "Kiss  her tears away." 

Well said Eddie, you took the words right out of my mouth.

The saga was complete. First came the brokenhearted cry, then a tender response and amazingly both of these songs seem to fit so seamlessly together. It's as if they were part of the same symphony. Don't miss these songs. Below are partial lyrics and links to listen to both of these beautiful songs. May your heart feel these emotions -if you dare. Enjoy the symphony.

                                                   One Less Bell to Answer

The 5th Dimension

One less bell to answer
One less egg to fry
One less man to pick up after
I should be happy
But all I do is cry
(Cry, cry, no more laughter) I should be happy
(Oh, why did he go)

Since he left my life's so empty
Though I try to forget it just can't be done
Each time the doorbell rings I still run
I don't know how in the world

To stop thinking of him
'Cause I still love him so
I spend each day the way I start out
Crying my heart out

One less man to pick up after
No more laughter, no more love
Since he went away (he went away)
(One less bell to answer) Why did he leave me
(Why, why, why did he leave)
(One less bell to answer)
Now I've got one less egg to fry…

(click the link to hear One Less Bell To Answer) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjW_z02EjaA 

Hey There Lonely Girl

Eddie Holman

Hey there lonely girl, lonely girl
Let me make your broken heart like new
Hey there lonely girl, lonely girl
Don't you know this lonely boy loves you

Ever since he broke your heart you seem so lost
Each time you pass my way
Oh, how I long to take your hand
And say don't cry, I'll kiss your tears away

Hey there lonely girl, my lonely girl
Let me make your broken heart like new
Hey there lonely girl, lonely girl
Don't you know this lonely boy loves you

You think that only his two lips can kiss your lips
And make your heart stand still
But once you're in my arms you'll see
No one can kiss your lips the way I will
The way I…

(click the link to hear Hey There Lonely Girl) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzgU5yEdUgI

 mo

I Just Wanna Stop

The whole family circa 1961 

 Most of the family circa 1968

I'm remembering the song, I Just Wanna Stop by Gino Vannelli  because it happens to be one of my favorite songs from the year 1978. The song's lyrics begin with; “When I Think about those nights in Montreal, I get the sweetest thoughts of you and me." When I listen to it now, it's not Montreal, Canada that I think about. Instead I think about my nights and days in  Orange, New Jersey where I once lived.  Isn't it  strange and wonderful how music can bring back our special memories? That year, 1978 was the last year my father was alive and my whole family unit of twelve was intact. After his death, life went on for my mother and her seven girls and three boys. Over the years there have been graduations, marriages, births and  a few of us moving far away. Then in 2001 we lost our mother too. 

Fast forward to the year 2020, now there are only five of us left out of  my original family of twelve. But it is not out of sadness that I write this. I am happy and grateful for the many wonderful experiences and memories I have had with my family. I've also added quite a few new family memories with my own wife and our two children and now with our three grand-children. Also I have nephews, nieces and even some great nieces and nephews. When I hear that song today, I personalize the lyrics a little to say, "I just wanna stop and tell you how I feel -about my family baby," and I feel at peace. The two old photographs in this post also take me back to the days when we were all together.

Some  of the song lyrics appear below, you can click on the title to hear this beautiful song.

I Just Wanna Stop

(For your love, for your love)
When I think about those nights in Montreal
I get the sweetest thoughts of you and me
Memories of love above the city lights
Ooh, I've tried so hard to take it
But oh Lord my heart won't make it

I just want to stop
And tell you what I feel about you babe
I just want to stop
I never want to live without you babe
I just gotta stop
For your love...

A Tribute

A tribute to my sisters Lydia & Lea whom I will miss and who's art and laughter the world will.

When the moon is in the Seventh House

And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets...
When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
Age of Aquarius
Aquarius
Aquarius
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding...

Both art majors and graduates of Montclair State University in the late 60s  free spirits who accomplished many groovy things in life. Lydia, went to live in Paris, France to pursue photography and later lived in London, England as well as Los Angeles, California -very groovy. Lydia has two groovy children. Lea became a Pan Am flight attendant and worked on a Pan Am Boing 747 "Clipper" jet and literally flew all over the world in a groovy heavy. Lea has two groovy children.

Lydia (left side of photo) sunset May 20, 2018

Lea sunset May 5, 2017

JAZZ . 1977 (The Lost Album)

The song It Happens Everyday from the album Free as the Wind by The Crusaders (formerly The Jazz Crusaders); is an exceedingly beautiful jazz composition. It kept finding its way into my Spotify App's "Liked" songs library over the past two years. For this reason, I finally checked it out to see where this Crusaders tune has been hiding for all of my life. Those of you who've read my previous blog post, Jazz Album Found after long search; know that I am a huge Crusaders fan. Upon downloading Free as the Wind, I remembered that I had briefly sampled it back in 77. However, I rejected it because I was disappointed that Wayne Henderson the trombone player had left the group. He was my favorite Crusader; it was he who inspired me to play the trombone myself. On account of this, I never gave the album's tracks a fair listen. I didn't purchase or record the album, I just forgot all about it -until now. 

Two night ago I finally listened to Free as the Wind and I was shocked to hear how good this album was. The album's material is very strong, driving, tense, funky, steamy, infectious, lovely, deep, wistful, melodic and insistently probing. So I've come full circle on this album and now I believe that it's one of the Crusaders finest! And to think I nearly missed out on it out of young and disdainful rashness. For all jazz lovers who want to check it out; click on the link:  Free as the Wind album-The Crusaders. I know you won't be disappointed.