Autumn in Augusta is
a sly smile, a deep chuckle and a fierce belief that “everything is
going to be alright.” Autumn in Augusta is a tribute project for and
about my mother and her music. It is music I grew up listening to and
rebelling against. Now I find my mother and her music in just about
everything I do. It turns out she had pretty awesome taste! My mom,
Julia Ann Smith, was born and raised in Augusta, Georgia and died in
Chicago almost twenty years ago. She introduced me to Josh White, Nina
Simone, Mariam Makeba and Trini Lopez, just to name a few. I am forever
grateful.
 Autumn in Augusta: Songs My Mama Would Like
TRACKS:
1. Joyful, Joyful We Adore You 2:36
2. Wayfaring Stranger 4:12
3. How Can I Keep from Singing? 3:14
4. House of the Rising Sun 5:48
5. How Long, How Long Blues 2:52
Total Running Time: 18:42
STUDIO
All arrangements by Lucy Smith (BMI)
Recorded, mixed and engineered by Anthony Gravino at The Drake, Chicago, IL
Mastered by Jonathan Pines and Anthony Gravino at Private Studios, Champaign, IL
CD Design/Layout by Nicold Pittman
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
I grew up in
Chicago and listened to all kinds of music. Our living room had a wall
covered, floor to ceiling, with mirrored tiles that reflected what was
happening outside on Racine Avenue. My mom’s console stereo (encased
speakers, turntable AND an AM/FM radio) sat in the corner of the room. A
stack of LP’s was always ready to go. I was in my own kinda heaven. I
spent hours listening to and singing along with Josh White, Nina Simone,
James Taylor, Aretha Franklin, Trini Lopez, Mariam Makeba, Eric Carmen,
Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and (yes) Barry Manilow.
Now I make my
own music—composing, arranging and performing. I am earnestly committed
and pay homage to music that constantly feeds and informs jazz. Roots
music – music born in America—blues, gospel, folk and ultimately jazz.
We speak and live in blues and folk -- articulating struggle in regional
languages and dialects. Both of these music forms often provide
audacious and timely comic relief while gospel and jazz are outlets for
release and infinite expression. My mother schooled me by playing Josh
White’s John Henry over and over again and Nina Simone’s tribute
to Martin Luther King. They informed me musically and politically. When I
select music for this project, Autumn in Augusta, the requirements are
clear.
Anecdotal and Track Information
1. Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You
To me Joyful, Joyful is
an international folk song. Beethoven’s music and Van Dyke’s text have
inspired arrangements that cross a chasm of genres - cherubic boys’
choirs that bring tears to my eyes to the gospel rock of the film Sister Act. This arrangement, a laid back rumba to swing, is “influenced” by Oscar Peterson’s version of My Heart Belongs to Daddy (Night Train). Marcin’s inside the piano action makes the arrangement pop.
2. Wayfaring Stranger
I’ve listened to many versions of this Appalachian tune. Even though Wayfaring Stranger references
death and is presented at ballad pace, it is a jubilee and it grooves! I
believe music has always helped people deal with difficult times and
for me this tune does just that.
3. How Can I Keep from Singing?
So this should be my motto, right? “It sounds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing?” I can’t.
4. House of the Rising Sun
I remember
hearing this song when I was a kid and not really “getting it.” My mom
often played Nina Simone’s organ-grooving version. I understand it now. House of the Rising Sun is
all about the lyrics—it’s a compelling story—in fact a story within a
story which is open to much interpretation (if you get what I mean.)
5. How Long, How Long Blues
Leroy Carr’s
blues standard was a musical staple in my house. I was most familiar
with Lead Belly’s version that was full of hollers and nasally groans.
Marcin and I took our time with it and found a great space
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The Gentlemen Sing: Three Generations of Song featuring Allan Harris and Ernie Andrews is missing its next generation singer.
