This tribute to the American songwriter Brian Gari was produced by Swami Jr. Manu Lafer handles the vocal chair, accompanied by jazz legends Howard Alden, on the 7 string electric guitar, and Jack Wilkins, also on guitar, and some very special guests.
Brian Gari, a New Yorker who has composed more than 800 songs over the course of his career spanning 50 years, is beginning the celebrations for his upcoming 70th birthday.
Gari has been recorded by Margaret Witing, Lesley Gore and Steve Ross, among others. He is the grandson of one of American’s biggest entertainers, Eddie Cantor, and also the nephew of the American TV star, Robert Clary, a concentration camp survivor.
The tribute’s repertory comprises 6 new songs and 7 covers. Kathe, one of them, is performed as two different tracks, to include Lafer’s Portuguese version, Amizade Cinza.
The album was arranged and produced by acoustic 7-string Brazilian guitar player Swami Jr. (Buena Vista Social Club musical director). He reproduced the characteristic pop piano style of the songwriter, while introducing a jazzy and Brazilian approach.
The band is completed by Sylvinho Mazzucca (acoustic bass) and Alex Duarte (drums).
The guests, both American and Brazilian, are the vocalists Annie Moore, Hilary Gardner, Justin Poindexter & Sasha Papernick (Our Band), Georgia Besen, Luciana Alves, Mark Lambert, Ana Deriggi, and Sam Reider.
Other guests are jazz legend Ken Peplowski, on the clarinet, and Brazilian international jazz star Chico Pinheiro, on the guitar. Peplowski has released an album with Lafer and is widely considered the heir to Benny Goodman, having actually worked with him.
Gari’s music, with his originality and vast knowledge of jazz and American pop (he is both a collector and an expert), along with his talent, challenge the frontiers of musical styles and countries, and were here enhanced by the aforementioned jazz virtuosos Alden and Wilkins.
Brazilian music is especially important for Gari, who devoted one of his projects to the country (Brazil Here I Am) and is a recurring partner of Lafe’s.
We have to single out an American who began his career as a sideman for such acts as Phoebe Snow and Astrud Gilberto, and moved to Brazil to pursue his solo career as a guitarist and singer, Mark Lambert.
Tracks
1. And It's Yours (Brian Gari)
All the faces in the room are looking at me
But just one face is all I’ll ever really want to see
And it’s yours and it’s yours
All the smiles in the room I thought were real
But just one smile I know is really real
And it’s yours and it’s yours
You were all I really needed last night
To let me know that things were goin’ right
So now you know how I feel when you’re around
The love I have in my heart that you have found
Well it’s yours, yes it’s yours and it’s yours!
2. Don't Look For More (Brian Gari)
There’s no sense to beginnings
‘Cause who’ll collect the winnings if we win?
There’s no use placing bets now
The only thing one gets now is a grin
So don’t look for more
We both know the score
And it’s not safe for us to go much further now
There’s no sense to our planning
But maybe somewhat scanning what is here
W’ll take what’s close at hand now
And pray we understand now what’s sincere
But don’t look for more
We both know the score
And it’s not safe for us to go much further now
Maybe very soon
But not this afternoon
I really wish we could
But it’s understood
That there’s no sense to beginnings
‘Cause who’ll collect the winnings if we win?
There’s no use placing bets now
The only thing one gets now is a grin
So don’t look for more
We both know the score
And it’s not safe for us to go much further now
It’s not safe for us to go much further now
3. Don't Let Another Night Go By (Brian Gari)
Hey my new friend… I’m glad we spoke
It’s good to chat… I liked your joke
Stay on the phone, we’ve got all night… Alright
Hours go by… We’re still alone
Why are you there? Hang up the phone
Get in your car… Come over here
I think we’re both sincere
Don’t let another night go by
Another chance get lost
Another heart get left in the cold
Don’t let another night go by
Another dream go dim
When there’s someone very close you can hold
Talking to you is like an embrace
I’d like it more if i saw your face
The candles are lit… the champagne’s on ice
I think you’re more than nice
(chorus)
Now we can find a million ways to stall
But we don’t need a million ways to fall
Someone’s gonna have to make a move
I don’t care who is first… But waiting is the worst
Hey my new friend, I’m glad we spoke
It’s good to chat, I liked your joke
Time’s almost up… Feelings are deep
I want you more than sleep
Don’t let another night go by
Another chance get lost
Another heart get left in the cold
Don’t let another night go by
Another dream go dim
When there’s someone very close you can hold
4. Amizade Cinza (Brian Gari, versão em português Manu Lafer)
Gata você quer ter mais
A mais do que o normal
Tou sabendo do Bem e do Mal?
Gata de amizade em voz
De Cinza e Carnaval
Que promete
Te dar um
Sinal ao tal barranco
Balanço, atrito franco
Alcanço o solavanco de avançar
Amor sem fim, sem banco,
Sem tranco de descanso
Imanto de prazer e de afastar
Gata de arco-íris qual?
No espaço estrela é cal
Tá valendo?
Não posso chorar
5. Chocolate Eyes (Brian Gari)
Chocolate eyes
Hershey’s smile
I caught you, I always knew
I have your thoughts on file
Don’t you know that you’ve got
Chocolate eyes
Nestlé’s lips
Thought you’d hide
I knew you lied
You dropped your chocolate chips
I know your secrets
And love them all
And I’m happy that there’s no other man here
Except for Peter Paul
Chocolate eyes
Reese’s heart
You may think your little wink
Will make me fall apart
But, sweetness, I’m too smart
Chocolate eyes
6. Until I Get A Definite No (Brian Gari)
People ask why do I persist
‘Cause I think something may exist
People say nothin’s gonna click
Well I’m gonna try every possible trick
‘Cause until I get a definite no
I’ll keep on tryin’
Until I get a definite no
There’s no denyin’
And I ain’t gonna go until I get a definite no
People say how much can you take
I just say what diff’rence does it make
Can’t you see what she’s all about
She’s only stopping short of spelling it out
(chorus)
Why does it need to be in black and white
The writing’s on the wall
Well I am always on the other side
So I don’t see the writing at all
So I’ll go on following the leads
‘Cause I believe she’s got the same needs
I can’t give up, I’m getting very near
So I’ll just ignore the crazy things I hear
And until I get a definite no
I’ll keep on tryin’
Until I get a definite no
There’s no denyin’
And A ain’t gonna go until I get a definite
Til I get a definite
Til I get a definite… no!
7. California Dream (Brian Gari)
1959… I was only 7
Went to visit gramps in Beverly Hills
Monte Leon Lane
Groucho’s pool on Sundays
I can almost smell the hot dogs on grills
And grandpa’s stage was now his bed
But still he laughed & always read
It was the California Dream
And I swear he knew it first
Before the beach boys
Before the earthquakes
Before his bubble burst
It was the California Dream
With all that he’d been through
The California Dream for him came true
1961 I was only 9 then
Steve made lemonade for us two to sell
Sold it on the curb
To the passing drivers
Even sold a cup to his mother as well
And his dad bud sold pontiacs
And Tippy barked when we made snacks
It was the California Dream
And I swear I knew it first
Before the Beach Boys
Before the earthquakes
Before the Bubble Burst
It was the California Dream
And the salt was in my hair
The California Dream & I was there
Saturday morning cartoons
Ears pressed against the set
Pancakes at nine
The wash on the line
And sprinklers that got us all wet
1964 I was only 12 then
Little Cindy now was turning 13
I remember well
How we ditched our sisters
But we still were 12 if you know what I mean
And how we danced on Ol’ Dick Clark
The rides were great at Ocean Park
It was the California Dream
And I swear I knew it first
There now are Beach Boys
There now are earthquakes
And many bubbles burst
It was the California Dream
Good Vibrations in the air
The California Dream
The California Dream
The California Dream
Wish you’d been there
8. Slow Movin’ Sam (Brian Gari)
Well he was sittin’ at the bar of a fancy motel
Down & out & feelin’ low
When this girl came his way
He had nothin to say
And most of all had nothing to show
But he ordered her a drink & the same for himself
And told her all about his career
Well she was bored to distraction
She just wanted some action
And she wasn’t getting’ high from the beer
They call him: Slow Movin’ Sam
Slow Movin’ Sam
Well he just has to be sure
That the lady ain’t pure
And he always calls a woman ma’m
Now she fin’lly got him up to her room off the stairs
On the chance that he would do his best
Well she removed all her clothes
Ev’ry stitch to her toes
But he just stood there fully dressed
Slow Movin’ Sam
Slow Movin’ Sam
Well he just has to be sure
That the lady ain’t pure
And he always calls a woman ma’m
Now it got to the point where it wasn’t a joke
So she said we better say goodnight
And as Sam headed home
He ran into Jerome
And he asked him why things never go right
He said you’re: Slow Movin’ Sam
Slow Movin’ Sam
You just have to be sure
That the lady ain’t pure
And you always call a woman ma’m
So he tried once again at the fancy motel
And remembered all of Jerry’s advice
He found a girl to disrobe
With the patience of Job
Now they’re at the church with plenty of rice
She calls him: Slow Movin’ Sam
Slow Movin’ Sam
She’s so pleased to announce
That’s he’s slow where it counts
And he always calls a woman m’am
Slow Movin’ Sam!
9. Does It Take A Saturday Night? (Brian Gari)
Haven’t heard from you in a week
Don’t you think we’re ever gonna speak?
Can’t we ever make up when the sun is shining bright
Or does it take a Saturday night?
Monday thr’u Friday not a word
Wasting the week seems absurd
Can’t we talk things over darling in the morning light
Or does it take a Saturday night?
Saturday nights can be the worst
Loneliness arrives like it’s rehearsed
Obviously that’s the thing you need
Everytime… guaranteed
Don’t you think the pattern’s overused
It’s getting to the point where I’m amused
Tho’ it’s only Thursday can’t we try to get things right
Or does it take a Saturday night to care?
10. Did You See Us? (Brian Gari)
Did you see we made the papers?
Did you see we made the Times?
Did you know I picked a winner?
Guess I wasn’t out of rhymes
Did you think of Mendocino
And that little rented car?
And the freezing beach at midnight?
Did you think I’d get this far?
And did you see us?
Did you see us?
Did you see I didn’t wait for your return?
And were you happy
I was happy
Or did you pass it off as none of your concern?
Did you think I had it in me?
Did you think I’d try again?
Did you think I just got lucky
like I almost was back then?
And we passed by Lincoln Center
We were walking hand in hand
And we saw you there at Starbucks
Was the coffee tasting bland?
(chorus)
Or even worth a second thought
Or just take home the coffee that you bought
(chorus)
11. Horse Of A Different Color (Brian Gari)
I pull a carriage all around Central Park
Blinded by sunlight, shivering after dark
Carrying lovers who ask for the longest trip
Carrying children who hit me too hard with the whip
I am a horse of a different color
Blue…feel like running away
I am a horse of a different color
Never free, always riding where they say
I travel thr’u with the automobiles
Sometimes too close, they don’t know how it feels
And taxis believe that the road is for them alone
One day I hope to be trav’ling a road of my own
(chorus)
Someday in some other place
I will run free in wide open space
Someday I won’t be controlled
But when the day comes will I be too old?
I pull a carriage all around Central Park
Blinded by sunlight, shivering after dark
Waiting for ladies who gently caress my mane
And wishing they’d ride me away but my wishing’s in vain
(chorus)
12. Kathe (Brian Gari)
Kathe do you think of us as more than just good friends?
Oh you don’t dear… well neither did I
Kathe do you want much more before the love descends?
Oh you don’t dear… well neither did I
Was only asking for the sake of conversation
Because the conversation seemed too bland
And I was only asking cause the lack of conversation
Made me never nervous so I chose the words at hand
Kathe you’ve got one more chance before we turn the bends
Well we’ve turned them… did I see you cry?
13. Any Nite But Monday (Brian Gari)
I ask her what night she’s free
She answers it’s up to me
I mention tomorrow nite
She says no it’s not alright you see
Any nite but Monday
I can have my choice
Any nite but Monday
Said in the sweetest voice
I can see her weekends
Or meet her at her gym
Any nite but Monday
‘Cause that’s her nite with him
She seen him less than a year
Perhaps things are less than clear
So she comes to see me now
But one nite she can’t allow oh no
(chorus)
Monday’s the only night that he has off
I’m not overjoyed… in fact I’m annoyed
But I’m grateful for what I’ve got
Don’t think of that nite I’ve not
‘Cause I’m on a winning streak
And I’ll have the whole damn week but now
It’s any nite but Monday
I can have my choice
Any nite but Monday
Said in the sweetest voice
I can see her weekends
Or meet her at her gym
Any nite but Monday
‘Cause that’s her nite with him
14. Bicycle Ride (Brian Gari)
I saw you on your bicycle ride
You saw me but the words were denied
And you rode along
And I wrote a song
But the time was wrong
So we both passed by
I saw you on your bicycle ride
You saw me but we never replied
So you rode along
And I wrote a song
‘Cause the time was wrong
So we did it right
So you rode along
And I wrote a song
But the time went wrong
So we both passed by
I saw you on your bicycle ride
You saw me but we couldn’t decide
So you rode along
And I wrote a song
‘Cause the time was wrong
But we might be right
But it might be right if I look for you now
