![Bitter Sweet Blues [CD]](https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/alligator.prod.public/images/albums/4870.jpg "Bitter Sweet Blues [CD]")
Gaye Adegbalola
Bitter Sweet Blues [CD]
First-ever solo album from founding and current member of SAFFIRE-THE UPPITY BLUES WOMEN. Produced by and featuring Rory Block. "A socially aware, musically vibrant solo debut"-BLUES REVUE
Produced by Rory Block
Gaye Adegbalola: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica and Background Vocals
Rory Block: Acoustic Guitar and Background Vocals
Mike DeMicco: Electric Guitar
Tom Principato: Electric Guitar
Warren Bernhardt: Piano
Jordan Valdina: Piano and Keyboards
Carl Adami or Randy Mattson: Bass
Peter O'Brien or Clyde Connor: Drums
Jerry Marotta: Percussion
Resa Gibbs, Ysaye Barnwell, Juno Pitchford: Background Vocals
Gaye's thank yous:
I'm forever indebted to Rory for taking me to new heights and to Bruce for allowing her to do so. Marc, your reflections have allowed me to see my/self differently; thank you. I could never thank Suzanne enough, from helping me to choose just the right word to salvaging Woodstock to sharing her soul. I am ever thankful to God.
Additional thanks to my Saffire family (Ann and George, Andra and Chris, Steve, Bonnie and her posse), to my other family of musicians,The SisterHood (Jackie, Colleen, Sarah, Resa and Kramer) and BluesWorks (Judy and Paul), to my Fredericksburg family, and friends and fans everywhere. I hope I "do you proud." Special thanks to Tootsie for being companion and protector and inspiration for The Dog Was Here First. To my son, Juno, thanks for all the times you've said "Go for it, Ma!" Your support in life means the world to me. To my Mom, thanks for grounding me and giving me wings. Thank you for your unconditional love.
Rory's thank yous:
Heartfelt thanks to Gaye and Bruce for allowing me to produce this album. It has been a great honor for me to participate. Also, major thanks to the folks at Omega: Dave Durr, Eric Lemley and Rob Macomber for old fashioned hospitality and professional excellence. Rob is one of the few Pro Tools engineers on earth willing to keep up with my madness without complaint.
Produced by Rory Block for Aurora Productions
Executive Producer: Bruce Iglauer
Recorded by Roman Klun, April, 1999 at Jersville Studio, Woodstock, NY
Additional recording and mixing by Eric Lemley and Rob Macomber, July, 1999 at Omega Recording Studios, Rockville, MD
Mastered by Jeff Hillman, Bruce Iglauer and Gaye Adegbalola, August, 1999 at Monster Disc, Chicago, IL
Color photos by Marc Norberg
Design by David Forte
Gaye Adegbalola's personal management
is by Hot Toddy Music, Box 7142, Fredericksburg, VA 22404
Gaye also appears on the following Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women releases on Alligator Records:
--The Uppity Blues Women
--Hot Flash
--Broadcasting
--Old, New, Borrowed & Blue
--Cleaning House
--Live & Uppity
1. She Just Wants To Dance 4:51
(G. Graper & K. Moore, Playin' Possum Music/Keb' Mo' Music, BMI)
Gaye, vocals; Rory, acoustic slide guitar; Mike, electric guitar; Jordan, piano; Carl, bass;
Peter, drums; Rory and Gaye, background vocals
2. Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl 2:59
(C. Williams, T. Brymn & D. Small, MCA Music, ASCAP)
Gaye, vocals; Warren, piano
3. You Don't Have To Take It (Like I Did) 2:17
(G. Adegbalola, Hot Toddy Music, ASCAP)
Gaye, vocals; Rory, background vocals
4. Big Ovaries, Baby 3:59
(G. Adegbalola, Hot Toddy Music, ASCAP)
Gaye, vocals and harmonica; Mike, electric guitar; Jordan, piano;
Randy, bass; Clyde, drums; Rory and Gaye, background vocals
5. Nothing's Changed 3:31
(G. Adegbalola & R. Block, Hot Toddy Music, ASCAP)
Gaye, vocals; Rory, acoustic slide guitar; Jerry, percussion
6. You Really Got A Hold On Me 3:14
(W. Robinson, Jobete Music, ASCAP)
Gaye, vocals; Mike, electric guitar; Jordan, piano; Carl, bass; Peter, drums;
Rory and Resa, background vocals
7. The Dog Was Here First 3:42
(G. Adegbalola, Hot Toddy Music, ASCAP)
Gaye, vocals; Mike, electric guitar; Jordan, piano; Carl, bass; Peter, drums
8. Front Door Blues 2:38
(G. Adegbalola, Hot Toddy Music, ASCAP)
Gaye, vocals and rhythm acoustic guitar; Rory, lead acoustic guitar
9. Only One Truth 3:12
(G. Adegbalola, Hot Toddy Music, ASCAP)
Gaye, vocals; Tom and Mike, electric guitars (Tom solo & fills; Mike intro);
Jordan, keyboards; Carl, bass; Peter, drums; Gaye, background vocals
10. Prove It On Me Blues 2:54
(G. Rainey, publisher unknown)
Gaye, vocals; Warren, piano
11. Jail House Blues 4:50
(B. Smith & C. Williams, Frank Music Co. c/o MPL/Great Standards Music, ASCAP;
additional lyrics by G. Adegbalola, Hot Toddy Music, ASCAP)
Gaye, vocals; Jerry, percussion; Rory, additional drum programming;
Resa, Ysaye, Rory and Gaye, background vocals
12. Images 2:27
(N. Simone & W. Cuney, Sam Fox Publ. Co., Inc., ASCAP)
Gaye, vocals
13. Nightmare 4:00
(G. Adegbalola & R. Block, Hot Toddy Music, ASCAP)
Gaye, vocals; Rory, acoustic slide guitar; Jerry, percussion;
Rory and Gaye, background vocals; vocal arrangement by Rory
14. Let Go, Let God 4:31
(G. Adegbalola, Hot Toddy Music, ASCAP)
Gaye, vocals and fingerpicking acoustic guitar;
Rory, slide and fingerpicking acoustic guitar;
Resa, Ysaye, Juno and Rory, background vocals
She Just Wants To Dance
Keb' Mo' is one of my favorite contemporary writers. I think he and Georgina
Graper wrote this song just for me. I love to dance!
Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl
During the piano intro of Nina Simone's version of this song, Nina whispers
"Bessie Smith, y'all." It was that one phrase that led me to Bessie in the late '60s.
I discovered a new world. Bessie's version is the one recorded here.
You Don't Have To Take It (Like I Did)
For members of my generation and those before me, there were few resources
for escaping an abusive relationship. Times have changed.
Big Ovaries, Baby
What does it take to stand up and speak up? Courage?
Confidence? Or just some innate hormone deep down inside?
Nothing's Changed
I grew up in apartheid. Though many scars are indelible, many wounds have healed.
However, when we witness continued hate crimes and senseless acts of discrimination,
the need for deeper change still exists...one person at a time.
You Really Got A Hold On Me
Had to have one doo-wop for old times' sake...blue lights in the basement, sweating
out my hair. Didn't get no better than Smokey and the Miracles!
The Dog Was Here First
Sometimes the otherwise perfect relationship is challenged by obstacles perhaps none
more difficult than "Fido."
Front Door Blues
It is scary getting stuff out of the closet. Baggage comes in many forms, not just
gay/lesbian baggage, but also mental illness, STDs, prison records, drug addiction,
alcoholism, etc. This gay little ditty is an ode to courage.
Only One Truth
For sure there's more than one, but, to me, this is clearly the greatest truth. I used to
chase many dreams money, career, even music when the ultimate goal is love. This
song was inspired by the artist formerly known as Prince.
Prove It On Me Blues
Ma Rainey, Mother of the Blues, wrote this public declaration of illicit love in 1928.
Ma is one of my "sheroes."
Jail House Blues
Bessie Smith wrote this song about a raid on a rent party. It triggered some other
images after visiting a women's prison. I attempt to restate Bessie's "commanding plea"
in a contemporary setting.
Images
Nina Simone has been my mentor and my #1 influence. She has given me knowledge
of self spiritually and musically.
Nightmare
The most closeted baggage in my life was the incest saga. The moment I wrote this song,
I felt a surge of relief. I hope it will do that for other survivors. Rory's music and interpretation,
for me, heightened the power.
Let Go, Let God
Sometimes the weight is too heavy. When I allow myself to give up control and put my faith
in a higher power, I can revel in the triumph instead of wallowing in the tribulation. The
bitterness is vanquished. How sweet it is to "be here now." May we all continue to find
PEACE through music.
Gaye Adegbalola, 1999 P.S. It's Ah-Deg-Ba-Lo-La
