 CommonGround (clockwise from left): Marty Ballou, bass. Peter Calo, guitar. Ron Fournier, piano. Paul Mason, drums. Bruce Abbott, saxophone & flute. (Photo by Steve Mason) |  Album cover for Homeward Bound: An Instrumental Tribute to the Music of Paul Simon. Click the image to listen on YouTube. |
Our nation's Declaration of Independence was issued on July 4, 1776. In addition to declaring our independence from Great Britain it also declared that every person has unalienable rights, among them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Just over 190 years after that amazing document was released Paul Simon wrote and released a song called "America" which he recorded with his musical partner Art Garfunkel. The lyrics tell the story of a hopeful but restless young couple hitch-hiking and busing their way around America in the pursuit of happiness, perhaps the most subjective and elusive of those unalienable rights.
In 1987 our group CommonGround released the album "Homeward Bound: An Instrumental Tribute to the Music of Paul Simon". Drummer Paul Mason and I wrote an arrangement of "America" which was included along with 13 other tracks on the album. In the arrangement we created an interlude section that features pianist Ron Fournier's improvised solo. Insider tip: if you listen closely during the interlude you'll hear the strings playing a hint of "America the Beautiful".
Thanks for listening, and may all of our elusive unalienable rights survive in the years ahead!
In 1987 our group CommonGround released the album "Homeward Bound: An Instrumental Tribute to the Music of Paul Simon". Drummer Paul Mason and I wrote an arrangement of "America" which was included along with 13 other tracks on the album. In the arrangement we created an interlude section that features pianist Ron Fournier's improvised solo. Insider tip: if you listen closely during the interlude you'll hear the strings playing a hint of "America the Beautiful".
Thanks for listening, and may all of our elusive unalienable rights survive in the years ahead!
Streaming on all platforms. Click the image below to listen to the arrangement of America by CommonGround on YouTube.
Click here to listen to the entire Homeward Bound album on YouTube.
Free to listen, no account or subscription required.
Click here to listen to the entire Homeward Bound album on YouTube.
Free to listen, no account or subscription required.
"America" by CommonGround
Bruce Abbott, soprano saxophone, co-arranger
Peter Calo, guitar
Ron Fournier, arranger, keyboards
Marty Ballou, bass
Paul Mason, drums, co-arranger
With guests
Mike Turk, harmonica
Cenovia Cummins, violin
Mary Rowell, viola
Stephanie Cummins, cello
Recorded by Jack Gauthier at Lakewest Recording
Bruce Abbott, soprano saxophone, co-arranger
Peter Calo, guitar
Ron Fournier, arranger, keyboards
Marty Ballou, bass
Paul Mason, drums, co-arranger
With guests
Mike Turk, harmonica
Cenovia Cummins, violin
Mary Rowell, viola
Stephanie Cummins, cello
Recorded by Jack Gauthier at Lakewest Recording
