When you turn the corner
And you run into yourself
Then you know that you have turned
All the corners that are left
— Langston Hughes
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become ever more aware of the times that I’ve encountered a piece of my past self (something I wrote, said or did) and how it plays in the “now.” For better and worse.
I count myself fortunate to have told scads of stories—some of my own, many more about others—through decades of songs, essays or articles. Not surprisingly, I’ve confronted pieces of myself in those past creations. They don't really disappear, but it feels as though I've “come back” to parts of me that I’ve dragged along through fifty-plus slogs around the sun.
Some years back, I read an interview with Tony Bennett, who was speaking about the talented but troubled singer, Amy Winehouse. He expressed regret she died so young and full of promise. He wished he could have told her that “life teaches you how to live if you live long enough.” That really struck me—especially for those who don’t live long enough to learn, or live long enough but don’t learn. I believe Tony’s wisdom only works if you allow or welcome the hard and easy lessons that come over time. To that end, I modified the words: “Life teaches you how to live it, if you live long enough to let it.”
Coming to grips with yourself—all of your selves —seems like hard but necessary work on the road of life. I’ve still got a lot to learn, but I’m willing to let life and time teach me. These are some of the things I'm wrestling with in my new song, “Come Back to Ourselves.” I had a blast recording it with my Garrison Corner bandmates and some outstanding southeastern Michigan horn players. I sought to pay sonic tribute to some of the grooves laid down in Detroit, Memphis and New Orleans.
I hope it resonates with you. If it does, I ask that you share with others in the ways you see fit. Some links are below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7BHDcZkRX0
https://open.spotify.com/album/1qKMW0X5t0nW2yEp5o5C1f
https://jeffkaroub.bandcamp.com/track/come-back-to-ourselves