| Sean
Sullivan - Jazz & Blues Singer Songwriter
http://www.seansongs.com
To
Print this Page
PC
- Ctrl + P
MAC - Command + P
A
SONG STORY
READY
Music and Lyrics
by Sean Sullivan 1.
BEEN PAID (2:22)
This Mose Allison-like bayou-blues with scat and flute solos slaps the
hands of the object-obsessed while serving to remind those blessed with
the gift of expression that they have already “been paid”...but,
as the lyric hastily adds, “Peace of mind don’t have no price
/ If you dig my verse a tip would be nice!”
2.
HEREAFTER LIVIN’ (4:05)
Southern folks always seem to turn their phrases in a sly and colorful
manner. Such was the case with my West Virginia born mother, whose father
was a Nazarene minister and whose grandfather was a Bible-totin’
circuit rider (c.c rider). One day as a child I recall my mother, weary
of her workload as a New York freelance writer, refusing to arise and
proceed downtown even if “Jesus was playing saxophone and God was
on string-bass!” Inspired also by Jon Hendrick’s story-song
Gimme That Wine, I have re-imagined this tableau as a heavenly jam session.
As the story unfolds, some of the biblical cast preach a solo chorus of
the funky blues: Jesus, Moses, and The Holy Ghost, respectively. God,
of course, lays down the everlasting groove.
3.
WASH MY SOUL (5:59)
Written in the Florida Keys and fostered by a childhood spent near the
ocean, this folksy
ballad explores a deep and natural bond with the sea.
4.
SNAKE PIT (5:01)
Intended originally as a purging of experiences at Cleopatra’s Needle,
a jazz spot on New York’s Upper West Side, the bossa nova groove
of Snake Pit (a punning reference to the fatal asp) has turned out to
be an accurate exposé of the club scene in Manhattan. From the
opening line, “Hey Joe, set ‘em up again”, one hears
the echo of classic noir ballads like One For My Baby, Angel Eyes and
Lush Life. The soulful, serpentine flute of David “Fathead”
Newman undulates throughout the song and a wild group-solo finale serves
to conjure the sounds and sights of the sleepless city.
5.
WHEN THE BLUES COME HOME (3:24)
A satirical down-home blues with a lyric fashioned of amusing clichés
that always come to mind, but ultimately fall short of capturing the universal
grip of those mean ole blues.
6.
SUGAR ON THE RIM (4:02)
Shades of Oscar Brown, Jr. and early Nat King Cole color this sultry and
bluesy minor jazz
ballad.
7.
CHILD (3:41)
Reminiscent of a Joe Williams or Nat King Cole swingin’ blues, this
song is a playful reminder for all to retain the joys of being a child
despite the sobriety of adult life…“Remember youth is one
of life’s true riches / If you start to act your age, you’re
gettin’ too big for your britches!”
8.
READY (4:24)
Inspired by a line from my rhythm section’s legendary dad, “Scatman”
Johnson, I created this bluesy, rockin’ Mose Allison-esque self-portrait
of life as a musician...”It kills me, but I’m ready”.
9.
LET GO (5:69)
A mellow bossa, a misty melody and a healing mantra lyric.
10.
I LIKE IT ALL (3:20)
The title of this minor blues-bossa says it all and with a dash of Coltrane.
Too many artists feel pressured to conform to one genre. In reality jazz
and blues are defined by many moods; down-home blues, ballads, swing,
bossa nova, bebop, Latin grooves and even folk changes. Enjoy the gumbo
and melt into the pot.
11.
BOP ‘N BLUES MEDLEY (1:13)
Drums, bass, and voice hit short and sweet on this jazz vocalese with
original lyrics to Tenor Madness (S.Rollins), Straight No Chaser (T.Monk)
and Now’s the Time (C.Parker).
12.
WHAT MY MAMA GAVE ME (3:03)
A simple delta-style solo voice and acoustic blues guitar tribute to the
late Barbara Jordan, my mountain mama.
13.
VIDEO: LIVE AT BIRDLAND; “AMERICAN JONES” JOHN LENNON SONGWRITING
AWARD WINNER (EMI) (6:00)
This swingin’ minor bebop-blues is a love letter to the American
art form of jazz, with
arrangements by the Lew Anderson Big Band and an after-show interview.
It can be viewed on your computer. |
