RR LogoAlaina Blair's New EP Here I Am

Alaina Blair Here I Am coverartCarlsbad, California singer-songwriter Alaina Blair collaborated with producer, singer-songwriter-musician Billy Alexander to release a new EP Here I Am, one that is ensconced in the Country-Pop genre.  The album opens with “Throw It All Away,” more of a quick paced, girls’ night out type of a song co-written by Alexander and Melanie Joe. Billy Alexander and Mario Sangermano do most of the heavy lifting instrumentally with the former on electric and acoustic guitars, as well as organ and mandolin and the latter playing bass. Wielding the sticks on drums is Tony Morra.

At first listen, the beautiful and heartfelt “Here Tonight,” sounds like a romantic relationship that came to an end, but the song holds a double meaning as it is also about experiencing the loss of a different type of relationship.

Alaina Blair says, “This song is one of my favorites on the album. We started writing it and the next day I found out this woman, who was like a second mom to me, had cancer. No one knew the severity until a couple days later when she passed. It was so quick and it was such a terrible thing to happen. She was always the one who brought everyone around her together and even after (her passing) she continues to do the same thing. I know she is our guardian angel now and this song really helps me to hold on to her and her memory.

The first time that we performed “Here Tonight,” (live) her best friend was there with us. When we performed it at the CD release party, her husband was there, as well as all of our close friends and family who knew her. It was like a family smile / cry.”

There are a couple of lines in “Here Tonight,” that are particularly emotive and they talk about hearing a familiar song that was the favorite of the person who is no longer part of our lives and how at one time the singer hated the song, but now she wants to hear it often to draw that other person closer. Anyone who has ever grieved the loss of someone special through death or the loss of a relationship will easily identify with this sentiment.

The song was crafted by Blair, Alexander and Mike Stockalper, and after the initial riffs were established at Alexander’s home, Blair and Stockalper went home.

Billy Alexander recalls, “After they left I started thinking about how when you lose someone too soon, you become sort of haunted by them, one minute smiling to yourself reflecting on a happy time and the next second feeling deep sadness at the realization that they are never coming back. For me it was a case of my step-father who passed away some years ago, but sometimes "visits" me in a dream. I started writing the lyrics and some melodies. When Mike and Alaina came back and we talked about the second verse, we wanted to leave the meaning open to the idea of a relationship that ends too soon as well.”

However your heart chooses to hear the song “Here Tonight,” you will be moved by the words that remind us that an unexpected loss affects us deeply, leaves us with unanswered questions, causes us to smile at the good memories and cuts like a knife that we can no longer share our lives with that special person.

The twangy “Tears Never Fell,” leaves no room for doubt that she “tried to let you down easy,” and it is about a relationship that came to an end.

Blair, talks about where the inspiration came from, “This song is about a guy. Ha! The day after we broke up I went over to Billy's and decided it was time for some songwriting therapy! I told him the story. The best part about writing this song is being able to have it all out and not dwell on what went right or wrong. I was able to truly be done with all the heartache and say everything I wanted said in this song, so that made me happy. The guy and I are friends now and I've played it for him since, and told him this song was about him. When he finished listening, he said, "Well it really sucks that it's a good song!" This song is really fun to play live!”

The EP closes with the song “Alive Again,” a song that Alaina Blair says is intended to offer hope and encouragement and to provide a sense of empowerment to women, evidenced in the words, “This will be my time / Alive again.” The song was created during two songwriting sessions with Jane Bach, the first was in Nashville and the second was in Los Angeles. Bach’s songs have been recorded by Tammy Wynette, Reba McEntire, Collin Raye and JoDee Messina, as well as many other artists. Jane Bach’s song “The Last One To Know,” became a # 1 hit for McEntire and “Just Enough Love,” was a # 1 song for Ray Price. Music fans will also be familiar with JoDee Messina’s recording of “Dare To Dream.”

“This is a message I think every woman should hear, so it was awesome being able to put it in a song. I love performing this song because you really feel this hopeful energy resonating in the crowd,” says Alaina Blair.

The EP Here I Am, is comprised of seven songs, some of which you can here on Alaina Blair’s Reverbnation site or you can visit Alaina Blair’s website.  Return to our Front Page

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This review published May 27th, 2014 by Joe Montague is protected by copyright © and may not be reproduced in print or on the internet or through any other means without the written permission of Riveting Riffs Magazine, All Rights Reserved