1. Morning Aire - The CD opens with this crisp, upbeat tune that plays with two sounds at the same time: an airy, triply-harmonized piano melody that suggests a modern big-band sound, combined with a driving rock triplet drum groove by jazz-rock drummer Garey Williams. Add in the incomparable blues/rock guitarist James Howard on electric lead, rhythm, and bass guitar, and the result is an airy delight with a hint of Steely Dan. Morning Aire by Leo Brodie
2. Alamitos Bay - (Sample) This nostalgic pastiche is reminiscent of ballads from the 1940's, and features piano and acoustic bass, with a light touch of drums. It evokes an elegant and magical place and time, warmth and smooth water. It consists of four separate musical themes: an airy opening like balloons set aloft, the blissful, elegant main theme, a somewhat dissident middle section followed by a quiet piano solo that evokes walking down a grassy path after a rain. The recording features Seattle jazz great Jon Hamar on upright bass, and Garey Williams on drums: Alamitos Bay (Sampler) by Leo Brodie
3. Yellow Autumn Sun - A plaintive, instrumental reflection on dying love. Bluesy rhodes piano and electric guitar over a driving, bitter electric bass pulse. This blues-infused ballad features the renowned Eddie Watkins Jr. on bass, James Howard on guitar, Jay Kenney on Hammond organ, Garey Williams on drums, and Leo Brodie on electric and acoustic piano. The only other song on the album besides Wishing I Were There written in a minor key. Yellow Autumn Sun by Leo Brodie
4. Picture You And Me - (Sample) This simple, sweet tune offers Nathaniel Paul Schleimer on flute, Jay Kenney on bass, and James Howard on guitar. Picture You And Me (Sampler) by Leo Brodie
5. Monica's Song - The most orchestral of any the songs I've written. Along with the piano, this arrangement features two cello parts, both played by the brilliant Kevin Krentz. Monica's Song by Leo Brodie
6. Summertime Highway - This ode to easy feeling, with a taste of ragtime, features me in a piano duet with myself: Summertime Highway by Leo Brodie
7. Wishing I Were There - This wistful, Latin-influenced number showcases Seattle great Jay Thomas on alto sax, John Hamar on upright bass, Garey Williams on drums, and Gary Pinkney on percussion. Wishing I Were There by Leo Brodie
8. Across The Years - (Sample) The title track, again arranged for piano and two cellos played by Kevin Krentz. The arrangement moves through a baroque-like tempo, a classical straight-four rhythm, and finally a jazz syncopation. Across The Years (Sampler) by Leo Brodie
9. The Best Is Yet To Come - (Sample) The album concludes with this rousing anthem that starts out with a confident but quiet stride, takes some fun musical twists, and builds to a lively, joyous finish. The recording features Jay Thomas on sax and trumpet, Jon Hamar on upright bass, Garey Williams on drums, Gary Pinkney on percussion and Leo Brodie on piano. The Best Is Yet To Come (Sampler) by Leo Brodie
All songs composed by Leo Brodie. (C) 2011 Leo Brodie/BMI. All rights reserved.
