Song For My Father Re-deux
Resuscitation for the Sake of Honor
As you may be aware, I recently covered the Horace Silver classic ‘Song For My Father’ in a tribute to my own father at the time of his passing. I struggled with that song in many ways.
It was as much an exercise in self-reflection, as it was in musical exploration. It was both inviting and intimidating. I completed it due to the former, and I left it alone due to the latter.
Re-deux, Redux, Redo, Part 2
I went back and listened to it again recently. I thought I wanted to leave it there. Buried in yesterday, destined to decompose into oblivion. But deep down, I could not let it rest. Or more appropriately, it would not let me rest. And so the decision bubbled up to the surface, and it was clear there was some more work to be done.
You see, I realized some respect to the composition was left unpaid. Much like a your first ever cellphone bill. You know, from a time when we paid outlandishly for minutes. When it was still unheard of [and thus cool as fuck] to roll up at somebody’s crib and call them just to say, ‘hey I’m outside’.
Well the bill collectors came knocking, this time in the form of audible vibration. Hungry for justice, they crawled into my ear canal like vile vermin and penetrated my tympanic membrane. They careened over my synapses like Tron, via electric byways on futuristic speed bikes, on a collision course straight to the core of my integrity. And when they arrived, they bitch slapped me into action.
So here goes, I have decided to redo the mix. The fundamental difference?
This time, I would be doing it for me…and Horace, of course.
That meant I’d be taking the mush out of it. Starting with the samples of my Dad’s various voice messages left for my Sister and myself. That was a tough decision to make and even tougher to execute. It felt like I was selling him out in some kind of way. Stupid, I know, but I still had to get over it though. I had to; there’d be no way around it.
Additionally, I needed to let the ‘song’ exist. It had to breathe more. There was a call for space that I hadn’t heard before. As I mentioned previously, ‘there was a lot going on, perhaps too much’, and it was ‘apropos’ due to the emotional turmoil bundled into the first rendition.
Nonetheless, I tried to give it some more room this time around.
I also tried to address some of the issues I had with the original mix-down.
There still a lot happening, but I am very happy with the final product.
Something Worth Mentioning
The introduction contains a excerpt of a Horace Silver interview, where he discusses his point of view on people covering his songs. He mentions and acknowledges the honor shown to the composer when someone chooses his or her tune. He also mentions that there is a certain respect to the song that must be paid. In particular, he cites the melody. I agree with both of these points in their entirety and I hope I have given Mr. Silver his just due.
An Observation on Horace
Horace Silver co-founded the Jazz messengers with Art Blakey. They would constantly refresh the band with new young talent. Bringing up the next generation of Jazz musicians and writers. When branching out, Horace did the same. I remember seeing him live at Fat Tuesday with a host of young upstarts. It was a great evening for me. I was lucky enough to have been there in the company of great musicians and writers who were kind enough to have taken me to the club. I learned a great deal that night.
R.I.P Horace. Your mastery, and mentorship has given Jazz life for additional generations.
Song For My Father Re-deux
Written & Composed by Horace Silver
Produced, Arranged & Performed by Ron ‘Prez” Hyman
The Original Version
Song For My Father
Written & Composed by Horace Silver
Produced, Arranged & Performed by Ron ‘Prez” Hyman
Original Post [post – https://music.ronhyman.com/notes-on-song-for-my-father]