Inspirations for "naked city" Tunes

"funky is as funky does"

This obviously came to me just after seeing Forrest Gump. It's basically an excuse to play these grooves. I wanted to put a kind of offbeat, monkish line over some James Brown style grooves. I really like this one.

"naked city"

Living in New York City, I, as most people, experience from time to time the loneliness and anominity one can only feel when surrounded by strangers. I wanted to try and capture that emotion in this composition.

"nitpickin' "

This is definitely just an excuse to have a party. I originally recorded this on my now out of print, "Unspoken Words" album in 1988. We started playing it on Avenue Blue live gigs and the guys developed such an infectious, good time groove on it that I just had to put it on the album. I once again, thank Rick Braun for lending his burning trumpet to the track.

"the conversation"

Bob James and I became friends not long after the release of the first "Avenue Blue" CD. I've been a fan of his for as long as he's been making records, so I was very flattered when he asked me to work on one of his projects...and even happier when he consented to guest on one of mine. I wrote this song specifically so we could have a "conversation" between the guitar and piano and the interplay is exactly what I hoped for. I can't thank Bob enough for doing this for us.

"baby i'm yours"

Phoebe Snow, what can I say? Ever since the first time I heard Poetry Man on the radio I've been completely knocked out by her voice. I originally just asked her to if she would do a little scat singing on "Spooky", but the night before the session I came up with the idea to do "Baby I'm Yours" and really feature her. I had the arrangement all ready for when she showed up and luckily she fell for the trap and wanted to sing both songs. I've definitely had some very good luck on this record. The riffs she sings on the ride out slay me every time.

"mama did't raise no fool"

The Meter's and the Tower of Power were always a great inspiration to me. I'd say, both of their influences are equally represented here. The whole band just slams on this track. The feel really shows the unique groove that these guys can slip into. You may hear the influences but the end result is pure Avenue Blue.

"wildflower"

One night on the way to a gig, I had the idea to cover it as an instumental. I didn't own the record and hadn't even heard it in years but I really wanted to do it that night. So, in my inpatience I wrote out an arrangement from memory, or lack of, since my version ended up in 6/8 time instead of 4/4 and a minor key instead of major. I also totally deleted the bridge and created a new intro and ending. I finally heard the original again and by then decided I preferred mine.

"keep the ball rollin' "

When I originally wrote this I wanted it to be a tribute to the Cannonball Adderly Band of the 60's when he was doing soul type stuff like "Mercy, Mercy" and the "Country Preacher". After the band started playing it for a while, it sort of developed into more of a Marvin Gaye meets Freddie King kind of thing.

"nite owl"

The first time I ever heard Wes Montgomery, it was "Here's That Rainy Day" on Verve Records. I was floored! I was mostly into blues up until then and this was a real turning point in my life. After that I went back and checked out his less commercial, earlier recordings on Riverside Records and was even more knocked out. But, since the first "jazz" I ever listened to was on those Verve recordings, they hold a special place in my heart. I wanted this to capture the bossa tinged smooth jazz vibe of that era.

"tumblin' "

I love this track. The pocket Buto and Lincoln set is seriously deep. I also really dig Don's horn arrangement.

"yohimbe"

Yohimbe is not only the title of this song, it is also the name of an African tree bark that has been ingested in Africa for hundreds of years to assist the men in performing the tribal mating rituals that could last weeks on end. After a trip to the health food store I discovered that they weren't kidding. I decided the least I could do was dedicate a song to it.

"spooky"

This was actually Rick Braun's idea. We had never done it before but we all kind of talked about an arrangement and groove, then recorded one and that's the take on the record. This cut was really the first time we ever played this song.

"one more excuse to play the blues"

The title says it all. I wanted to play a blues so I could write one. I'm proud of this one. I think there's some cool little twists in the melody.