jc: I think @kristian and I have talked about collaborating but never got it together that I can recall (meaning, I probably flaked) so when he sent me a piano track, I was pretty keen to make it work with lyrics and melody. Only it was so lovely, all I could think about was the many ways by which I might ruin it. Because at this point, I've lost all perspective, I don't think this is one of those?.
This is not at all what I expected to write about, and the lyric has an origin that may or may not be helpful to know, but I'll stop explaining and leave it to you to decide. I kind of think it's more interesting as cryptic glimpses, but if you must, here's the impetus: https://imgur.com/gallery/9fXM6ZM
@kristian will come and fix the mix I made here in March
When I drove to the hotel last Wednesday
Trying to arrive before dark
I was not expecting to see you
Somewhere near Belmont and Clark
And I had not awakened that Wednesday
Even though I was listening for
Your good morning manic hello
It went missing years before
When I turned to see your face
The sun was yellowing the gray city streets
There you were in black and white
Weathered eyes, staring back at me
No one knew
…Laughing blue
And I thought I had known every angle
But never more than you showed
Were the bad days enough to dismantle
And the good days, tarnished gold?
You stacked so many boxes in boxes
They were all true and all truly you
To be honest, I found it exhausting
Could it be, in the end, you did too?
When your shadow blessed the car
As the light turned back and forth from green to red to green
You remained in black and white
Weathered eyes, on the city street
No one knew
...Laughing blue
@kadmad202 Mar 2022
This is gorgeous, John. You promised to get sentimental this year, and you’ve done it here in the best possible sense of the word. The music is deep and romantic, poignant and heartfelt. I’m glad I went to your prompt and saw the subject of the song. It so beautifully fell into place at that point and actually brought tears to my eyes. A really lovely remembrance with the perfect musical accompaniment.
@bradbrubaker Mar 2022
@johncrossman 's lyrics really hone in on the longing of @kristian 's piano. As for Belmont and Clark, this Chicagoan is like, "Where's this hotel he's singing about? And is the subject being sung about coming from Target or Starbucks" hahaha
But seriously, very nice track.
@bethkille Feb 2022
Stunning. So many great lyrics (love all the colors) even though cryptic its mesmerizing and makes me want to keep listening to figure it out. Gorgeous piano and lovely, lovely vocals (as always) John!
@sarahk Feb 2022
What a gorgeous piece! I can't add any more insightful comments than those below, but I really am so impressed. Lovely.
@nancyrost Feb 2022
Ah, this collab was meant to be. Your styles complement each other very well.
Great vocal with a restraint I appreciate. A melody with plenty of space to listen and absorb the mood the piano is creating.
This is such a vivid, nostalgic scenario, built up with care.
I particularly love the "no one knew ... laughing blue" section - the chord progression is really satisfying, and that vocal jump and triplet descent is so pretty. It fits the breakout nature of that facet of the image perfectly.
@davidtaro Feb 2022
Ah, you've definitely done @kristian's piano justice! I love how the words are slightly opaque and ambiguous, sort of impressionistic. Your vocal is so so good - very delicate and vulnerable. This feels like an unearthed 70s singer-songwriter classic. 'When your shadow blessed the car' is a marvellous line. And that 'Laughing blue' is a great hook and melody resolution. Well done both!
@wylddandelyon Feb 2022
Oh, this is so pretty. It takes me to a time when a dear friend went wandering, and I didn't know where or how he was, or if I'd ever see him again. My story had a better ending, I suspect. You did the piano music justice.