Album of the Week - October 21, 2012
Blue Canoe Records located in White, Georgia (north of Atlanta) is known for its impressive roster of jazz musicians and featured studio guests. But little did anyone know before March, 2012, they were promoting an artist from an unrelated genre from their solid jazz label. A vocal powerhouse and a talented lyricist, the soulful R&B, Soul and Adult Contemporary artist Chinua Hawk is not a newcomer to the music scene. Very active since 2005, he's released three previous full length albums; has worked with major recording artists; and won music/artist awards (APCA Best Male Performer 2009). Produced by Blue Canoe recording artist and bassist Joseph Patrick Moore, 12 carefully selected tracks of covers and originals were chosen to showcase Chinua's amazing tenor vocals in his latest release, "A Beautifully Complicated Life".
Let's look at the title of his album "A Beautifully Complicated Life" for a moment. His title serves as the theme behind a few of the original tracks written for this album. Does anyone welcome complications in life? The overwhelming response to that question is no! Complications require moving out of our comfort zone to resolve an issue. But, it must be done so we can move forward. In "A Beautifully Complicated Life", Chinua poetically and lyrically paints pictures of events experienced by many people, but provides either positive outlooks or resolutions.
Eight original tracks on this album were written by Chinua in collaboration with other lyricists. And a fine job they did. Of the originals, my favorite is "You're All I've Got". Beginning with the excitement of entertaining an audience, Chinua faces the humbling realization after the lights dim and the venue is empty, that there's only one true reality for him. He gets to the meat of the message by telling his one and only "You're all I've got. You're all I need. And there is nothing else but your love unconditionally." That refrain/chorus alone could melt the heart of any woman. There is powerful emotion in that phrase. Singing it without “shouting it” is the key point here. He is smooth as silk. It's as if she was in front of him, their eyes locked. Holding her hands, his vocals transfer the passion of his energy- his emotion; his love; his life- to her.
The brief instrumental intro to "On My Way" reminds me of the inimitable Buddy Miles. The song then begins a funky groove with Chinua's smooth chops of telling the tale of continued hope and perseverance. "I've packed my songs and took off for my destination. I had to let it go." After focusing on the labors and frustrations of being an entertainer, he's determined to let the past go and keep moving forward.
A few of my other favorites are the following. The soulful "After the Rain" speaks on deception, heartbreak and forgiveness. "Sunflower" is an R&B song that extols the virtue of a beautiful relationship. "One Man World", an adult contemporary track, speaks on the dangers of depression and isolation.
It's easy to be critical of a cover tune, especially when it is a cover of a song you love. Of the four covers, the most effective arrangements were of "Careless Whisper" and "Let's Stay Together". They never strayed too far from the originals yet provided satisfying reworks of old favorites.
You embrace Chinua's vocals but you feel the background music and arrangements. The studio musicians never get in the way of this fine production. They offer solid support on every track creating compelling intros (the chromatic chord strumming of Chris Blackwell and the melodic keys and soft chords of John Carroza in "You're All in Need"). And I give a tip of the hat to Joseph Patrick Moore and John Carroza who mixed and engineered a balanced production.
An overall solid release, this album should bring additional and much needed attention to a talented, creative lyricist and smooth tenor, Chinua Hawk.
Rating: 4.5/5.0 stars
A Beautifully Complicated Life
Track # Title
1 Back To Life
2 One Man World
3 Nickel To Spare
4 On My Way
5 Careless Whisper
6 After The Rain
7 Sunflower
8 Sailing
9 Nothing Compares 2 U
10 If I Could
11 You're All I've Got
12 Let's Stay Together
