JuewettBOSTICK
- It's Not So Easy
Juewett
Bostick is a prolific musician recording and performing since 25
years. Bobby Brown, Vanessa
Williams, Barry White, Johnny Gill, The Temptations,
Sister Sledge, Hubert
Laws, Nancy Wilson, Norman Brown,
Thelma Houston, Tisha Campbell and Eartha
Kitt are musicians participating of his genius. Smooth jazz afinados
will know that he produced and arranged Norman Connors' well-known
albums Just
Between Us, Easy Living and
Eternity.
When I first listen to his white Fender
Squire Stratocaster with a maple neck. I recognized a certain similarity
to Craig T. Cooper's guitar sound. Juewett explains the
difference: "Craig and I are old friends but I’m older than he
is. However, Craig did begin his solo recording career before I did.
I think my first record, as a sideman, was in 1975. Craig
was not in high school yet. Don’t get me wrong he and I are
brothers. I know his entire family, his wife, son, brother etc... But
I don’t think I sound like Craig at all! The proof would be in
a live show. You’d hear the difference."
"I think my style covers a bit more of
the jazz purest. Artists like Grant Green, Kenny Burrell, Wes
Montgomery, George Benson. Some of the others I feel a strong
connection to are Herbie Hancock, John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Lee
Morgan. These are the REAL jazz musicians. I have been fortunate
to record and perform with people like Grover Washington, Gary Bartz.
Eddie Harris, Eartha Kitt, Nancy Wilson, Aretha Franklin, The
Temptations, etc... I think the difference between myself and
Craig is I worked with many of the older traditional R&B and jazz
artists and he worked with many of the newer younger artists. Don't
take this the wrong way. This is not to degrade Craig. But an attempt
to try and illustrate the difference in style and approach to our
musical writing and production our ultimate artistic expression.
If you check the bonus tracks you will see Craig mixed Posse
Ride and All The Way Down. He was a major part of this project.
But our writing, production and playing styles are different. Check
out Elsi N’ Me, TLG, or Kellies Theme, and the bonus tracks for the
difference in writing and production style. ENJOY the difference
;-)"
It's Not Easy is Juewett Bostik's debut album and I am
wondering why it last so long to publish this record. It's a great
idea that Juewett added an interactive CD-ROM to the package with
videos explaining the history of all songs and showing the people
behind this awesome project. The album starts with Precious
Love which was demoed by Juewett and
Christopher Odem (1995) and originally released on Norman Connors'
album Easy Living (1997) also featuring Denise Stewart. Denise interprets that song in a "Chaka Khan" style. She's is
brilliant.
Ali-Ollie Woodson was
the
former lead singer with The Temptations on seven of their albums
through to 1997. He performed with The Drifters from 1972 to 1977 and
replaced Teddy Pendergrass as lead singer with Harold Melvin & The
Bluenotes between 1977 and 1979. This modern vocalist with a
remarkable expressive voice is a great enrichment for the song You Need Love.
The title song It's Not So Easy
was written by Ricky Liggins and David Wiliams. One can see Ricky
performing the song on the CD-ROM. Lead singer Denise Stewart and
background singer LaDeana Williams are perfectly performing this song
as a midtempo version.
You Go To My Head is a classic
song. Composed by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie artists such alike
Louis Armstrong, Chet Baker, Tony Bennet, Clifford Brown, Dave Brubeck,
Bing Crosby and hundreds more ha
ve
performed this song. Denise Stewart's interpretation is one of the
best.
Juewett reveals the beauty of his guitar on Elsi
n' Me. It's dreamy. Like Juewett I
cannot get enough from this song and I am thankful that we have a
second version on this album.
What Will I Do
is featuring Jean Carn and Ali Woodson in a wonderful duet and to
raise the musical treat Denise Stewart and Jean Carn add the
background vocals.
Just Like This
was originally recorded for Norman Connors' album "Remember Who
You Are" (1993). On the CD-ROM one can see a snippet of the
recording session. Very rich in contrast Denise Stewart's female lead
vocals and Ali Woodson's background vocals. A funky session.
I Can't Tell You Why,
a cover of the classic Eagles song, showcases how a great singer like
Jean Carn finds new ways of interpretation.
Kellie's Theme
is named after Norman Connors' elder daughter Kelly. The lead melody
is played by Juewett on guitar. Is a comparison to George Benson's
style allowed?
Ricky Liggins wrote the lyrics to
Forever More in 1993. His version is
to see on the CD-ROM. Another proof for Denise Stewart's divine
vocals. Don't forget to give her solo debut album "Decide
On Me" a listen. Gary Bartz on sax did a very soulful job.
T.L.G.
(Taylor Louis Gite) is the name of Welton Gite's son. Welton was a
great supporter of this album (Producer, Musician, Programmer). But we
could also call this tune the Art Webb song. Art's performance on
flute is phenomenal. Thanks to Juewett to bring such a gifted jazz
player in the limelight again.
This album is for all lovers of good music.
Especially friends of Soul/R&B and Smooth Jazz will find their
treasures. A real case of lost and found.
