Alaina Blair's New EP Here I Am
Carlsbad,
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.
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