Al Jarreau

“Tenderness”

 (Warner Bros. – 1994)

by Jerry “The Mouse” Clark

Occasionally I take a CD from my collection, slide it in the CD player of my truck and literally bombard myself with heavy doses of every song on the track list.  This week, I was “jonesin’” for Al Jarreau’s Tenderness. When I finally placed the CD back into my collection, I felt a CD review in the making.

When I was working at Tower Records back in 1994, the Warner Bros. music rep left a package with the store manager for me. To my surprise, in that package was a new CD and VHS tape of Tenderness.  I felt like clocking out right then and there to go home, view and spin. That idea quickly left as I wisely decided to finish working my shift. After work, I took the long way home so I could check out the CD, sitting in my car until I’d listened to every piece on this work of art. And that wasn’t the end – I still had to view the VHS tape! In amazement, I felt as if I was in the audience witnessing the masterpiece.  

CD Description: “A studio live recording with an audience.”

Now it’s time to give this project some kind words:

1 - “Mas Que Nada”:

This gem kicks off with “Mas Que Nada,” the Jorge Ben composition that fires-up the Brazilian National Soccer Team and is currently a Black-Eyed Peas collaboration with Sergio Mendes (who recorded the original hit version of the song in 1966 with his group Brasil '66). In Portuguese, “mas que nada” is defined as “more than anything,” and that is what Jarreau and company give you.  Al delivers this composition with gusto and energy, the catalyst for a classic.

2 - “Try A Little Tenderness”:

This is a signature song of the late Otis Redding to which Jarreau and crew gracefully added their magic. This romantic rendition showcases the unique voice of Al Jarreau and his musicians, bonding to remake this timeless song. I love the way Jarreau made reference to a lovely evening that he and his better half will experience towards the end of the song. That’s the way I expect Al to finish a “performance song.”

3 - "Your Song":

In my opinion, only Al Jarreau and Joe Sample could pull of a rendition of Sir Elton John’s “Your Song.” It takes pure passion to express the poetry of the lyrics in this love song. I know Elton (and Bernie Taupin) wrote this for his recording, but the song has Al Jarreau written all over it. Of course, Al lends his extra flavor to the performance.

4- “My Favorite Things”:

The treat of the recording session is when opera diva Kathleen Battle and Jarreau perform the Christmas classic “My Favorite Things.” No matter the time of year, this song is magical and good for the soul. Both performers complement each other’s delivery of the Rogers & Hammerstein favorite.  Wishful thinking: it would be fantastic to someday see these two brilliant artists perform in concert together.

5-“She’s Leaving Home”:

The Boys from Liverpool - The Beatles’ John Lennon & Paul McCartney, as Al mentions at the end - wrote this song. “She’s Leaving Home” is a marvel that Al first recorded on his Lp All Fly Home (1977). This song will make you take a second look at spending more quality time with family. The message is so true with families struggling to understand each other. Al - who holds a degree in Psychology - knows how to lay out a good story in song. What’s fantastic about this rendition is the angelic delivery of the supporting singers Stacy Campbell, Jeffery Ramsey and Sharon Young.

6 -“Summertime”:

Al’s upbeat “Summertime” is somewhat different from the George Gershwin “Porgy and Bess” version. It has a Bossa Nova groove that only Jarreau is capable of pulling off.  This man can take a song and just perform wonders. Marcus Miller’s arrangement and Joe Sample on keyboard add the extra spice that makes the number come alive!

7 - “We Got By”:

Al wrote “We Got By” as the title track of his very last album back in 1975. I must say, this song is a trademark classic. Accompanying him on alto saxophone is the master David Sanborn, blowing so gracefully. The combination of the two music giants is the ingredient of perfection.

8 - “Save Your Love For Me”:

I am going out on a limb - Al’s rendition of “Save Your Love For Me” equals the classic 1962 Julian “Cannonball” Adderley & Nancy Wilson version. For this love song, an artist must give heart, mind and soul. Al delivers the full package!

9 - “You Don’t See Me”:

Jarreau wrote this socially conscious song to tell how hellish life is in communities with little hope. Unemployment, drugs and crime are the three elements of destruction dealt with in the intense lyrics.  Written in 1976 for his sophomore LP, Glow, this message holds true to the everyday experience of 2011. Al’s message is of concern for the survival of mankind – more specifically the young Black man - is delivered no-holds-barred. Right on, Brother!

10- “Wait For The Magic”:

“Wait for the Magic” is a story of two people dealing with personal goals, careers, college and relationships.  The theme that patience and hope will eventually overcome all hurdles is the key to their everyday troubles.  Al’s counseling is the right medicine for waiting for the magic.

11- “Dinosaur”:

Dinosaur is the feel good track of the Tenderness project. It has elements of love, peace and happiness. What a way to sum up this experience.

12 –“Go Away Little Girl”:

I can’t think of a better way to put a stamp of approval on this marvelous session than with this Gerry Goffin/Carole King standard.

This CD is a masterpiece complete that touches the heartstring. 

Tenderness would not have been possible without this great supporting cast of producers, musicians, vocalist and engineers:

Al Jarreau - vocals

Marcus Miller – producer/bass

Joe Sample – piano

David Sanborn – saxophone

Kenny Garrett – saxophone

Paul Jackson Jr. – guitar

Eric Gale – guitar

Paulinho Da Costa - percussion

Michael Brecker – saxophone

Kathleen Battle – vocals

Philippe Saisse – keyboards

Michael “Patches” Stewart - trumpet

I would someday love for Tenderness to be available on DVD.

Jerry “The Mouse” Clark

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www.mellowmadness.net

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