Not One Day Without You
Love, Quarantine, and the Longing For a Time When Time Didn’t Matter
This is the second installment since my return to music. The first was a dedication to my father who passed away 2 years ago. You can read about and hear it here: https://music.ronhyman.com/notes-on-song-for-my-father
So, I truly enjoyed the catharsis exercise of working creatively in the musical realm once again. It was rewarding and enriching, so I’ve decided to do some more.
Now bear in mind the curve induced by my musical hiatus is one that would give Fibonacci a moment of pause. That, coupled with the disillusionment that I was ever talented enough to pursue music, more enthusiastically than as a trite avocation; is quite humbling. So understand, there’s nothing for me to gain here. No hopes and dreams relived. No last ditch effort to ride full speed off a cliff, in a quantum leap attempt to bend space-time, and emerge on the other side wrinkle free sans gray locks. I am merely crocheting this audible quilt of sketches and sawdust just for the fuck of it.
Nonetheless, of late, I’ve been learning about mixing in the digital age. It’s a bit different than it used to be, I’ll say that. In many ways it’s easier then before. The ability to apply effects and compression/limiting in a somewhat unlimited fashion (I got a ton of RAM), is just plain nuts. Oh and there’s this thing called automation. Fuck! That shit is like… Well, I’m not going to say what it’s like ’cause the analogy will likely be self incriminating. And frankly, not all you motherfuckers need to know my whole shit. Anyway, automation is gosh darn swell (<- said in my job interview voice). Needless to say, I am again thankful for this advent of technology. The fact is, mixing was never my forte. I’ve always sucked at it. (See previously referenced 1st installment for undeniable proof). Anyhow, In an effort to dive back in, I started noodling with an old chord progression that I had lying around for a long time. In fact, I wrote the chords decades ago. I decided to use them and see what would happen.
So here’s what happened:
I wrote a song that I dedicate to my amazing and beautiful Wife, Edith. Without her I would not be the man who I have become. I certainly would not be the father that I am. Slow down dummies, I am not talking about the obvious here. I am talking about the life lessons that have stood me up and made me a loving, caring Dad. I owe it all to her. She changed my perspective on what family could be. She put back in me the power and magical optimism that inspires the next generation. Simply put, all that we are, and all that we’ve made together, is the culmination of why I can’t have one day without her in my life. And thus, the title.
The Atmosphere of the Song
This joint is a soulful groove. Like a slow rolling wave on a moonlit beach, inviting you to ride the sine. I created it in the spirit of an old school Summer Jam. You know the vibe. When it’s dark outside, but it’s still hot. And the heat itself has life. It engulfs you, and those near you, in an inescapable capsule of pulchritudinous funk. Therein lives the beauty of sweaty arms thrown up in the air; glistening from the glow of a nearby street lamp creeping in though still curtains. A straight up living inspiration for an Earnie Barnes Masterpiece. A sweatbox get-together where heads nod. Fingertips tightly grip waistlines. The scent is pungent and fists rattle above afros and cornrows.
…and love abides.
Allow me to take you on that journey through song. There’s rich instrumentation. From string ensembles to solo staccato cellos. Horn arrangements consisting of muted trumpet, flugelhorn and saxophones. A Rhodes EP, Hammond organ, guitars, the whole fucking nine. In addition, you’ll hear a bevy of vocal samples. Including T-ski Valley, Darryl McDaniels, some sultry Hindi meanderings, and yeah that’s Marvin.
So don your headphones, put the needle to the groove, and let your soul flow through time to another summer.
One where you need not be distant.
One where everythang is everythang.
Enjoy.
Not One Day Without You
Written, Composed, Arranged and Produced
by Ron ‘Prez’ Hyman