Description
Jim continues to expand his ambitious eclectic musical blend on Cape Of Good Hope, this time released on the quickly burgeoning Hillsboro label (distributed by EMI). He has crafted another album of catchy, heartfelt melodies plus another instrumental cover version, this time of Steve Winwood’s 1969 Blind Faith classic, “Can’t Find My Way Home”. The album comes with two versions, a haunting piano-guitar-sax trio recording and an expanded radio mix that includes percussion. There are two songs with vocals — “Donna Lynn” with singer Stephen Bishop (best-known for his big hit “On and On”), and “Picasso’s Midnight Stroll” with ethereal wordless vocals by Dan Fogelberg, Wilson and Casey Stratton (who also adds gossamer background vocals on “Cape of Good Hope” and “Discovery”).
Other tunes include the Celtic-tinged “Susanna”,” ‘Til I See You Again” and “More and More”. There’s also the quietly jazzy “Friend” highlighted by a David Sanborn sax solo. The album kicks off with a tour de force, the title track, named after the southern tip of Africa where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet with violent currents that claimed many sailors lives. Wilson says the song and album are dedicated “to the spirit of voyaging into the unknown in the quest for a better life. The song has a special meaning for me as a metaphor for the triumph of making it to the other side after confronting your fears.”
According to Jim, “Discovery” was written “to celebrate the spirit of adventure and is dedicated to man’s quest for flight.” “Picasso’s Midnight Stroll” is the soundtrack for a visual adventure imagining what the painter would see walking the streets of Paris under a full moon. “Home in the Heartland” is Jim’s tribute to his Texas childhood. “There’s nothing that compares to those amazing sunsets, or the massive thunderclouds rolling through on a hot summer day, or those bonfires and hayrides out on the farm.”
Credits:
Cape Of Good Hope
Davey Johnstone: Mandolin, 12-string & Nylon Guitar
Casey Stratton: Background vocals
Mark Portmann: Synth
George Tortorelli: Penny whistle, Flutes
Eric Rigler: Uilleann Pipes, Irish flute
Charlie Morgan: Percussion
Michael Landau: Guitar
Lee Sklar: Bass
Jerrold Launer: Percussion, Programming
Jim Wilson: Piano
Friend
Sunny skies and fields of flowers
Holdin’ hands and wishin’ wells
You’ve touched the child inside my heart
Where life will lead us time will tell
Love has no guarantees
Still you can depend
I’ll be your love, but more than that
I will be your friend
David Sanborn: Sax
Davey Johnstone: Nylon-string guitar
Steve Pocaro: Synths
Jim Wilson: Piano
Susanna
Mitch Forman: Synths
Steve Pocaro: Synths
Eric Rigler: Uilleann Pipes
Lenny Castro: Percussion
Lee Sklar: Bass
Jim Wilson: Piano
‘Til I See You Again
— for the amazing Maharishi Tunananda:
a truly extraordinary friend to the end —
Steve Pocaro: Synths
Davey Johnstone: Mandolin, Guitars
Doug Lacy: Accordion
Eric Rigler: Uilleann Pipes, Irish flute
Lenny Castro: Percussion
Jim Wilson: Piano, Synth
Discovery
Chris Botti: Trumpet
Davey Johnstone: Guitars
Casey Stratton: Background vocals
Mark Portmann: Synths
Charlie Morgan: Percussion
Jerrold Launer: Percussion
Jim Wilson: Piano, Synth
Picasso’s Midnight Stroll
(mixed by Bob Clearmountain)
Dan (B.B.) Fogelberg: Vocals, Blooze guitar
Chris Botti: Trumpet
Davey Johnstone: Guitars
Casey Stratton: Background vocals
Mark Portmann: Synths
Claude Gaudette: Snare sample (the beat goes on…)
Charlie Morgan: Percussion
Michael Landau: Guitar
Lee Sklar: Bass
Doug Lacy: Accordion
Jerrold Launer: Percussion, Programming
Jim Wilson: Piano, Vocals, Whistlin’
More and More
Steve Pocaro: Synths
Steve(govia) Lukather: Guitar
Eric Rigler: Uilleann Pipes, Irish flute
Lenny Castro: Percussion
Jerrold Launer: Programming
Jim Wilson: Piano
Home in the Heartland
Michael Landau: Guitar
Mark Portmann: Synths, Beloit Boys Choir
Lenny Castro: Percussion
Doug Lacy: Accordion
Jerrold Launer: Percussion, Programming
Jim Wilson: Piano, Shaker Heights
Can’t Find My Way Home
Richard Elliot: Sax
Peter White: Guitar
Jim Wilson: Piano
Etheria
Mark Portmann: Synths
Michael Landau: Guitar
Jim Wilson: Midi Piano
Donna Lynn
Stephen Bishop: Vocal
The Budapest Symphony: Orchestral performance
Steve Salani/ Forte Music: String arrangements
Greg Hilfman: Synths/ Harpocity
Benjamin Wyatt: Cello
Paul Loredo: French Horn
Neil Stubenhaus: Bass
Greg Bissonette: Percussion, Drums
Jim Wilson: Piano
Can’t Find My Way Home
(Bonus Radio Mix)
Richard Elliot: Sax
Peter White: Guitar
Rick Braun: Percussion, Programming, Cool Hats
Sloberpuss: Hardly anything really
Lenny Castro: Whole lotta shakin’
Steve Pocaro: Volume Pedal Tweakage
Jim Wilson: Piano
‘Til I See You Again (Reprise)
(See above credits)
All Songs Written and Published by Jim Wilson, Willow Bay Music (ASCAP) © 2001, except Can’t Find My Way Home © 1969, Steve Winwood.
Produced and Arranged by Jim Wilson, except More and More: Produced by Jim Wilson / Jerrold Launer, Arranged by Steve Porcaro & Mr. Launer; & Can’t Find My Way Home: Produced by Rick Braun w/ Jim Wilson.
Recorded and Edited by Jerrold Launer (jerroldlauner.com) at TunaTones International Recording Complex, Sherman Oaks, CA; also recorded by Chad DeCinces at Porcaro’s Polyphony Palace; and by Brian Reeves at Bissonette West.
Mixed by Doug Rider (all except:)
Mixed by Bob Clearmountain (Picasso’s Midnight Stroll) at MixThis!, assisted by David Boucher
Mixed by Rick Braun with Jim Wilson (Can’t Find My Way Home)
Mastered by Bernie Becker
Art Direction / Graphic Design by Mike Bundlie and Amy Dakos
Photography by Beth Herzhaft
Piano Tuning by L. A. Piano Services
Jim Wilson plays Yamaha pianos
All piano tracks recorded on a Yamaha C7
Dan Fogelberg appears courtesy Morning Sky/Chicago Records
David Sanborn appears courtesy Elektra Records
Chris Botti appears courtesy GRP Records
Richard Elliot appears courtesy Blue Note Records
Rick Braun appears courtesy Atlantic Records
Peter White appears courtesy Columbia Records
Steve Lukather & Steve Porcaro appear courtesy Sony Records
Stephen Bishop appeared courteously…very.
My thanks to: Greg Howard and my wonderful new family at Hillsboro Music and Green Hill Music for believing in me and the music. Your love and support has made me feel so at home–I love you guys! To Jim Wooten, James Steeber and Susan Davies-Muhler at Yamaha (Concert & Artist Division), and especially to Mike Bundlie and Doug Rider for the indefatigable support. Bernie Becker for hookin’ me up with the major ‘verb action, Audio Affects, Mitch Zelezny for the roughs. To Roger Lifeset, Cliff Gorov and the wonderful people at radio, retail and distribution for giving me a shot. To David, David and Kay at David Abell Fine Pianos; and especially to Dennis Hagerty & Jeff Falgien at Keyboard Concepts for the keys to the kingdom. To Cynthia St. Clair for starting me down this treacherous path(!), To Beth Herzhaft for the G.O.B. and T.L.C., Emily Simon for the incisors, Kit Thomas for the DA-88, and Dave and Chantalle Millman just for the taste of it. To David Evans, Jennifer Reid, Bob Clearmountain, Steve Steinberg, Randal Cohen and Amy Dakos. And certainly to Bruce Lundvall, Gilbert Hetherwick, Steve Ferrera, Nancy Roof, Andria Tay, Gordon Jee, Andrew Solin, and any other angels who helped me get this far.
A special tip of the hat to Jerrold Launer: you came through for me again, buddy. Grade A Large Thanks.
My deepest gratitude and love to Mom, Dad, Andi, Jenny, B.J., Jason and the rest of my wonderful family and friends. And especially to Donna for believing.
Massive thanks to: all the amazing players who contributed their own unique energy to each song, particularly to special guest artists David Sanborn, Chris Botti, Davey Johnstone, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, and Stephen Bishop. A debt of gratitude is owed to the artists who’ve shown their belief in the music and offered their support: Lionel Richie, Dave Koz, Carole King, Burt Bacharach, David Foster, and David Crosby. And deepest heartfelt thanks to Dan Fogelberg: You remain a beacon to me of what an artist’s life can be: commitment to art above all else. (…”Now pay me a dollah!”)
My sincere thanks to you for buying this CD, supporting the music and helping to spread the word! And as always, above all, humble gratitude to the Creator for giving me the opportunity to be a channel for your expression.
Behind The Music
“Cape Of Good Hope” ~ I remember one day feeling great about life and being particularly happy to see some childhood musical dreams coming to fruition. I felt inspired to write something that fit that mood. I sat down at the piano and just started playing that pattern in my right hand, as the bass notes changed beneath it. The song sort of started writing itself from there. At some point I was wondering what this song would be called. I thought it kind of felt like sailing… kind of hopeful… then I started hearing the faint echo of African rhythms — as if they were getting louder as you approached the coast. “Cape of Good Hope” suddenly popped into my head. I then remembered a story I’d heard from a South African I’d met about how Cape of Good Hope got its name. He told me about how so many sailors had lost their lives to the raging seas as they attempted to sail around the southern tip of Africa — often in search of a better world. I realized this song / title felt like a perfect metaphor for finding the courage to confront one’s demons and the triumph of making it to the other side.
“Friend” ~ I started writing this melody on Pia Zadora’s piano. A few days later, I went to Rio de Janiero and as fate would have it, it rained torrentially the whole time I was there (…so much for my hopes of sitting on the beach watching the girl from Ipanema go by.) I remember sitting in my hotel room working out this tune in my head as the rain came down in buckets. It’s a short but sweet lyric and I was happy with how the alliterations came together. As far as the guest sax player on the album goes, you really can’t get any better than David Sanborn. What an honor to work with him!
Sunny skies and fields of flowers,
Holdin’ hands and wishing wells.
You’ve touched the child inside my heart,
Where life will lead us, time will tell.
Love has no guarantees,
Still you can depend,
I’ll be your love, but more than that,
I will be your friend.
© 2000 Jim Wilson, Willow Bay Music
“Susanna” ~ Years ago, I was in Stockholm, rounded a corner and ran into a woman who would come to represent a significant chapter in my life. We unfortunately lost contact long ago, but I sincerely hope she’s happy and living her vision.
Susanna, Susanna
It breaks my heart to break your heart
The clouds have chased us from the start
I wanna have you near me, I wanna see you clearly
But I’m standing in my way
I looked into your eyes and had to turn away
So many things I wanna say
With so few words to say them
Sometimes the poetry simply doesn’t rhyme
Another place and time
And we might have found the answers
Susanna, Susanna
I can’t explain my restless heart
I chase the light, I choose the dark
I wanna have you near me, I wanna see you clearly
But I’m standing in my way
I looked into your eyes and had to turn away
So many things I wanna say
With so few words to say them
Sometimes the poetry simply doesn’t rhyme
Another place and time
And we still might find the answers
Susanna
© 2000 Jim Wilson, Willow Bay Music
“‘Til I See You Again” ~ I wrote this during a time when it was apparent that my incredible feline friend Tuna was not long for the world. He had been an extraordinary pal for 20 years (!) and it was incredibly sad knowing that I would be losing him soon. At the same time, it was a reminder to me that all of us make our transition eventually. I was also brought back to my firm belief that we will connect again spiritually “on the other side” with those that played a substantial role in our lives. This song is really for anyone who’s “gone before” and the poignant feelings of the interim period without them.
“Discovery” ~ One day I was practicing piano when the phone rang. I’d been at the piano for a while, so I welcomed the distraction. It turned out to be a friend and while we were talking, I was messing around with this riff in the key of C — not really paying it much mind. Before long, I realized it could be a pretty neat theme and when I hung up, I kept developing it until I had the tune completely fleshed out. …I really like how it goes into the B section (over the Ab, then to the A minor). It kind of feels like you’ve just ventured into some kind of unknown territory. Then it works its way toward the Eb modulation and feels like you’ve emerged on the other side and everything’s great. I really love playing this song — I feel like it celebrates the spirit of adventure. (“The challenge is not before me, it is within me”)
“Picasso’s Midnight Stroll” ~ I’d just seen this film called “Surviving Picasso” and got a feel for what an amazingly intense guy he was. I sat down at the piano one evening and wrote this song with the image in mind of a frustrated artist taking a stroll through the moonlit streets of Paris, looking for the next image to paint. I was so honored that my buddy Dan wanted to be a part of this tune. He was always a great hero of mine and I think he’s truly one of the great American singer-songwriters. [I still remember to this day walking into a “Peaches” Record Store in Cleveland, Ohio circa 1978 and hearing him for the first time. They were playing the Nether Lands album really loud and when the song “Scarecrow’s Dream” started playing, I was utterly entranced.] Anyway, (just a few years later!) Dan not only did a great job with the vocal to Picasso’s, but he added this really vibey blues guitar track that blew us away. (He’s shuch a talented boy…. I just know he’s going to make it someday!) …The real icing on the cake was having Bob Clearmountain mix it. Bob is one of the most respected mixers in the world. Watching his hands fly over his SSL on this (48-track) mix was amazing.
“More And More” ~ I had just seen some movie with an Irish element to it and walked out feeling very inspired by the sweet portrayal of the people in a small village being very happy with the simple things. (Not really sure how this melody evolved from that sentiment, but it did!) As for the title, it was originally called “ More and Mohr”, then I realized that was a tad on the cute side. Eric Rigler’s Uilleann pipes really accentuate the sentiment I wanted to convey.
“Home in the Heartland” ~ You’d think from listening to this tune that I’d watched a few too many episodes of “House on the Prairie”. I swear it isn’t true and I hereby categorically deny all allegations to that effect. I cannot deny however, that it does convey my yearning the simplicity of life when I was living with my Dad on a farm in Texas. This song has special meaning for me and especially love Mike Landau’s “Roy Rogers’ guitar” blended with the sweetness and purity of the boy’s choir that Mark Portmann contributed. Still gives me goose bumps. I also love the (Doug Lacy) accordion harmony on the third chorus (another “on-the-spot” idea…)
“Can Find My Way Home” ~ Stevie Winwood penned a true classic when he wrote this one. What an incredible vibe that song captures. Sweet and poignant. The original Blind Faith version slays me every time I hear it — even with the crash-cymbals-in-your-face and all. …It was a blast working with Rick Braun producing this in the “smooth jazz” vein. Rick’s great. He has nice hats too.
“Etheria” ~ All I remember about writing this tune is that I woke up one morning hearing the opening phrase of the tune — a melody that ascended as the bass line descended. I would later develop the idea on Herbie Hancock’s piano. As for the key, I don’t know why I wrote it in B. Apparently, 4 sharps was just not enough, and 6 would have just been too dang many. …I like the dreamy, celestial vibe we were able to capture in the song’s arrangement.
“Donna Lynn” ~ I wrote this song for Donna Lynn. But perhaps you surmised that from the title. The rest can be gathered from the lyric. I do believe that anyone you’ve ever loved — whether or not you remain together — plants a flower in your garden that will stay with you forever.
Sometimes my pride gets in the way
Of all the things I want to say
For times I don’t know how
With surrendered heart I’ll tell you now
Know that I love you, Donna Lynn
Sometimes my back’s against the wall
But I’d still catch you if you fall
I pretend I need no one
But I’m half the man when you are gone
That’s why I love you, Donna Lynn
You could say we have our different ways
Sometimes we’re even night and day
But the love you bring to me is the light
That leads me home
We never know what’s meant to be
‘Til fate unfolds for us to see
We’ll weather changing tides
We’ll make it if we’re side by side
Because I love you, Donna Lynn
I’ll always love you, Donna Lynn
© 2000 Jim Wilson, Willow Bay Music
