I Still Believe (in Love)

• By Carla Benson featuring Ron Kerber & The New MFSB and L.O.L. (Lots of Liberals)

Author’s notes:

This story begins in November of 2016 the night of the election. I knew that the unexpected (by many) results were going to change the face of American politics, culture and life very badly foe the next 4 years. I was despondent to say the least. I was determined that no matter how bad it was to become I would strive to keep love, hope and faith alive. So, in the next day or two I sat down with my guitar and wrote this song. I knew that if I was do it right, I must try as a producer to find the best way to realize it. I recorded myself on acoustic guitar as I do with everything I write and sent off a PA copyright. But then it was on to how to best record it. I first tried programming it with a student programming wiz after he had completed my class at Rowan University. That effort had its merits, and I was impressed with all that can be done “in the box” with all the digital tools now available to our industry.
However, I came to realize that the way I really wanted it to sound was more like all the great R&B songs I had recorded in the early days of my career at Sigma Sound Studios. And, of course, the best way that this song could end up like that was for it to be recorded with a Sound of Philly rhythm section in a real studio. Sadly, at three consecutive funerals for TSOP greats, Teddy Pendergrass, then Billy Paul and lastly Bunny Sigler I saw and spoke with the core of the very group of musicians that were the pros who played on “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now”, “Used to Be My Girl” and who knows how many other hits: Keith (Lead-foot) Benson (drums), Jimmy Williams (bass) and Dennis Harris (guitar). I had asked them on all three occasions if they would be interested in playing for me on one of my songs. All three times they said, “Of course we would, Jim, just say when and where.” So, after the 3rd time I went to Jack Klotz and asked if over the summer break, I could use the studio at Temple where we teach recording classes. He said OK and I started calling people. First, I asked Joe Kraus if he would engineer for me as I hoped to play guitar with them while producing. Two hats were enough, and I had had Joe record tracks for me on previous CDs. He was in and thrilled to hear who we would be working with. Then I called Dennis, Keith, and Jimmy with some dates. We had to work around Jimmy playing on the road with the O’Jays, but we found a date, set it and then I called T. Life (guitar) and “Lambchop” Curry (piano), both writers and producers extraordinaire. They were in. Now I had to work with Carla Benson to be sure that we played it in the best key for her to sing it. She and I met at my home studio, and I gave her a demo to learn the melody and words after we determined the original key worked best.
Then the day came, July 24, 2018, and we gathered at Temple and recorded the tracks for this song and “You Take My Breath Away”. I had produced tracks (and played guitar) with MFSB that I had written! My God I was in heaven. I took the tracks back to my home studio and proceeded to record Carla. She of course was awesome as she always is. Also, on the advice of “Lambchop” I added Carla on tambourine. And she added some background tracks, but I said I had plans to add as many voices as possible including kids. She immediately helped me by providing about a dozen of her vocal students who came on another day and sang their hearts out. I began recording all my relatives, friends, musicians and singers who live near me as well. The final touches were adding Ron Kerber on sax on both songs. He was amazing as always as you can hear. Then “Lambchop” came over and added synth horns to this song and synth strings to the ballad. Listen to the horn parts that he added. He did them in one pass. I was astonished. His piano work on both songs is remarkable as well. I added my friend Liz Bressi-Stoppe on windchimes to the ballad and I was finished recording. So, now I had a record and I started to mix it at home where I am quite capable of finishing any record, however, that was not to be the end of the story.
In the fall of 2018, my wife Pam, and my daughter-in-law Vicki each were each celebrating a birthday with a zero on the end so we four went to London to celebrate. While there I arranged for a tour of Abbey Road Studios as I was in the process of producing an album and was using that as an excuse so my son, a huge fan of the Beatles and Pink Floyd etc. like myself, and our wives would get to see the fabled place. So, we did and as we were getting the tour, I saw the three new rooms that they had added since I last was there back in the 1990’s. Well, the new rooms were very interesting to me, one because it was small and reminded me of my own room at home except of course it had (albeit small) a Neve console and after all it was still an Abbey Road studio, that recently had been used by Nile Rodgers to record his latest CD. I knew I could mix the new songs easily in that room as I knew its capacity and my track requirements. Our trip to London was fantastic and on it my wife decided it was time for a career change that she had been thinking about. After we returned, I investigated what it would cost to use that room (The Gatehouse Studio) for a day and was pleasantly surprised. Pam had announced the decision to her company and her time there was winding down, as we were driving into the city together as we often did, she said. “Let’s do it, it’s our one and only life. Let’s go back to London and mix your song at Abbey Road.” I was shocked and thrilled so I looked at when I could go that did not conflict with my teaching schedule and it was the first weeks of January before classes began. I wrote the studio booked a Friday (1/11/2019) and then flights over on that Wednesday and back the following Monday and returned to teach class that Tuesday. The idea that I would ever work as a producer, be recorded, and mix in Abbey Road was not even on my bucket list. And in a matter of five months, it had become a reality. Not a dream. A reality. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did in making it.

Lyrics:

• Words and music by Jim Gallagher Copyright 2016

I still believe. I still believe. I still believe in love.
I still believe. I still believe. I still believe in love.
The world, it seems, has gone astray. The dream has lost its way.
Everyone must rise and sing and drive the hate away!
I still believe. I still believe. I still believe in love.
I still believe. I still believe. I still believe in love.
It’s always hard to turn the tide. It’s not just: lose or win.
What counts is all your love inside. Don’t hold it locked within.
I still believe. I still believe. I still believe in love.
I still believe. I still believe. I still believe in love.
It’s not just a song. It’s how your life you live.
So sing with me, yes, sing of all the love we give!
So join with me and set love free. It’s what makes this life so great.
Sing along! We’ll change the world! It never is too late!
I still believe. I still believe. I still believe in love.
I still believe. I still believe. I still believe in love.

CREDITS:

• Written and Produced by Jim Gallagher
• Track Recorded in Temple University’s Studio “G” by Joe Kraus
• Vocals, Sax and Synths Recorded in The Vinyl Room Moorestown, NJ By Jim Gallagher
• Mixed by Jim Gallagher & Paul Prithard In the Gatehouse Studio at Abbey Road Studios London England 1/11/2019
• Mastered by Joe Kraus at The Bunker Mastering Studio, Phila. PA
• Lead Vocals: Carla Benson
• The New MFSB:
• Drums: Keith Benson
• Bass: Jimmy Williams
• Guitar: Dennis Harris
• Guitar: T. Life
• Piano and All Synths: Eugene “Lambchop” Curry
• Sax: Ron Kerber
• Tambourine: Carla Benson
• Guitar: Jim Gallagher
• Background Vocals: Carla Benson, Pam Mammarella, Susan Virginia Mammarella, Mary Mammarella, Frances Mammarella, Jessica Mammarella, Mike Cooper, Chris Pietrafitta, Danielle Campbell, Colleen Jacoby, Francesco Sgrazzutti, Meagan Debrito, Ghazal Lajevardi, Tom Spokas, Kate Shapero, Carolina Maugeri, Carl Johns, Emily Farrell, Neil Arot, Bob Wagner, April Iorio and Dave Fecca (of April Mae and the June Bugs), Jessica Carroll, Dennis DiBlasio, Anne DiBlasio, Ryan Vander Wielon, James Becker, Elizabeth Hahn, Jeff Otto (of Boris Garcia), Chuck McCrory
  & Jim Gallagher.
• Children’s background Vocals: Paloma Sappho Mammarella, Christian Mammarella-Pietrafitta, Laci Jacoby, Leila Jacoby, Cameron Campbell, Christopher Campbell, Aki Mir, Pearl Stokas, Dario Lajevardi Sgrazzutti, Amias Debrito Straub, Gabrielle Loren Watlington, Cameren Jade Morris, Jasmine Cherie Priestly, George Preston Watlington III, Cameron Joel Priestly, Bettyann Howard, Arthur Howard, Leah Howard & Penny Howard.
• Thanks to Jack Klotz Jr., Joe Kraus, Pam Mammarella, Jojo Arvanitis and all the friends and families who contributed their time and voices to this song.
• This song is dedicated to the late great Bassist extraordinaire and friend Jimmy Williams.
• The greatest proportion of any money generated by the sale of this song will be donated to Liberal causes.

All About Love

Author's Notes

Wrote this, played it for Rus and we said “SO John Lennon”! I said “let’s do it as a Beatle production.” I asked Rus and Greg Stoffa his cousin to cut the basic track with Scott Rouba on drums and we cut it one weekend when a ton of family was around. After adding some other instruments we had everyone there come down in the studio and sing the chorus. My grandchildren Katie and Ryan Gallagher and nephew Christian Mammarella-Pietrafetta (age 6, 3 and 3 respectively at that time) can be hear prominently on the sing-a-long tracks. I had taught them the song on previous visits playing it and singing it together so that they could join right in with the adults and get it right away. Rus’s idea to add the fake horns in the bridge is fantastic (so Sergeant Pepper!)! I have kidded that if Paul McCartney were ever to hear this song, he would pick up his phone and say “Get my lawyer on the line!” Anyway, it is our homage to the greatest band ever. Hope
you like the CD insert, thanks Jeff Otto of Boris Garcia for the idea!

( Link to Collages)

Words and Music by Jim Gallagher © 2007 Dedicated to Ryan Allan Gallagher

You Take My Breath Away 4:36

Author's Notes

Ah, a love song inspired by my wonderful wife Pam. So what else is new? What is noteworthy about this track is the pedal steel performance by Russ Lynch! Wow, what can I say about the fantastic job he did! I was lucky enough to meet him through Bob Wagner who talked Russ to come to one of my monthly jam sessions at my home in the Vinyl Room (which btw is where this entire track was recorded). At that point I thought I had already completed the song. I had had Jack Klotz do a twangy Fender lead solo but when I told him about the opportunity to add the steel well he said “Of course you should!” Also Lucy Melia returns to my CD (she sang 3 on the first) to do the lead vocal but on harmony with her making her recording debut is Shanon Kolen her niece.
Play Version in Album Page

Angel with a Broken Wing 3:57

Author's Notes

On the morning of December 18 th 1999 I awoke to the morning newspaper’s headline “Jazz Great Dead” informing me that my friend Grover Washington Jr. had suddenly passed away in New York City. I sat and wept. Grover was a very special man. He was the kind of man who made it his business to leave his session upstairs in Studio “A” of Sigma Sound Studios, while producing Pieces of a Dream, to come down just to say hello and visit the people working down in studio “B”. At the time I was an assistant staff engineer and impressed to find a star of such magnitude taking the time to be friendly with someone so new and only recently acquainted with him. But that was the kind of person that Grover was. When I stopped weeping that morning all I could think about was how much the world was a lesser place without him. I went into my home studio and picked up my guitar and wrote this song. That summer I approached several of his close friends who had worked with Grover throughout his career and told them that I wanted to record this song. Every one of them simply said, “Where and when should I show up?” Every musician contributed their best, not only with their performance, but also by contributing ideas to the greater good of the record. That was because all of us had had the joyful experience of working with or in some way knowing Grover and that was the way he would have been: giving and caring enough to make the greater good paramount. This recording was created in that spirit. We were and are proud to have honored Grover in this way.

Days Go By

Author's Notes

Kudos here to Shawn Colvin and John Leventhal for their fantastic song and Grammy winning Record of the Year: "Sunny Came Home". I was so happy when they won that Grammy I jumped up and down and acted in such a manner that Pam looked at me like I was nuts or something. I love that song so much it inspired me to write this song. As we were recording the background parts in Stephen’s old Turtle Studios location (not insolated) there was this terrific storm going on outside and thunder directly over the house was so loud that the mic picked it up... Later of course because of the third verse and the cool nature of the coincidence, I added all the rest of it. This song was later picked up by a very talented jazz singer from the D.C. area, Changamire. She recorded it at Turtle Studios and her version is on her first CD and you should read the review of the CD and what was said about this song by clicking here and be sure to visit her website:

Changamiré Website

While the Baby’s Sleeping 5:14

Author's Notes

This song was written by my son Rustin at Thanksgiving gathering in my living room with his 3 month old daughter Katie sleeping next to us on the couch. I kept playing along with him (we both always grab acoustic guitars at every gathering we can) following his left hand, as I have since he started playing when he was 8, and I thought, “This is cool, what is this?” So I asked is this a Pink Floyd song or what and he said “No I am just making this up right now”, so I suggested a structure to the changes he was playing and this song was worked out while Katie napped. When we had it all worked out and played it one last time all the way through and smiled when we stopped. Katie woke up and looked around asking with her eyes, what happened, why did you stop? I wrote the lyrics later. Rustin played every part on every instrument but the 1 st guitar solo (Chuck McCrory) the percussion track (Liz Bressi-Stoppe) and the drums (which Rusty Crowe so well performed replacing the Lynn Drum loop we used to start with) ALL IN ONE NIGHT! Every time I hear it I think if he lived nearer to me just think how much we could do in the Vinyl Room! Get back more often son!

Falling In Love

Author's Notes

I wrote these words to Angela Falco’s wonderful melody on the very night that she gave me a cassette demo with piano flute and synth strings. As soon as I could, I got Sue Mammarella to sing the first DEMO to that track. That recording is included in this web site because as unique as the live recording was there was something very special about Sue’s first demo... I’m not sure if it was her harmony track or the just the simplicity of that version but some how it was special enough to include for everyone to hear as well. As in years gone by, this first track on the CD was recorded live in AIPH’s Studio 705 with 17 musicians and singers. Every note of music here was performed in the same room at once except Chris Farr's Soprano sax that was in an isolation booth. Vocals were attempted live in other isolation areas but later replaced by Carla Benson in less than 2 hours.

“The Game”

• Jim Gallagher

Author’s notes:

I am a devout Phillies Phanatic as anyone who knows me will tell you. As I was thinking about making this album it occurred to me that I had over my life written about a lot of things in poetry and song lyrics, but I had never written about one of my greatest loves: baseball! So, I did. As opposed to just playing my guitar and/or being inspired by a phrase or an idea, I started by writing the chord changes which I thought were up-beat enough when, as I played them with my then 5-year-old great niece Paloma and she started dancing. Then I started thinking about all the cool things that can really excite us about the game and it sort of fell together rather quickly. I thought I would create 2 versions, one with all the corny SFX possible and one without but instead just a short and a long version with and without Jack’s killer solo. Asking all my friends who love the game and attend with me has been a challenge as there are only so many guitars that work on a record! Thanks to Scott Rouba as always for his great drumming, Rus for his always great bass, Liz (another true Phan) for percussion, Cal for his “Chuck Berry/Boogie-Woogie” style guitar, Jack Klotz for killing those lead and rhythm guitar tracks he cut despite COVID, and everybody else who joined in and made it a group sing. “Oh, how I love that game!”

Lyrics:

• The Game Words by Jim Gallagher and Pam Mammarella and Music by Jim Gallagher © 2023

Baseball! Oh! How I love the game! Baseball! Oh! How I love the game!
Oh, there’s nothing like watching the kids having fun.
Oh, there’s nothing like us all singing the anthem.
Oh, there’s nothing like ump yellin’, “yer out!”
Oh, there’s nothing like us all singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”.
Baseball! Oh! How I love the game! Baseball! Oh! How I love the game!
Oh, there’s nothing like eating that ballpark food.
Oh, there’s nothing like the “Bigs” or your own Little League brood.
Oh, there’s nothing like when an ace is painting the corners tight.
Oh, there’s nothing like a perfect game. Hey, any game just might...
Baseball! Oh! How I love the game! Baseball! Oh! How I love the game!
Oh, I’ve seen a no-hitter, seen my team go deep into the fall,
Known the agony of defeat and the thrill of winning it all!
Baseball! Oh! How I love the game! Baseball! Oh! How I love the game!
Baseball! Oh! How I love the game! Baseball! Oh! How I love the game!
Oh, there’s nothing like the sweet spot taking one deep.
Oh, there’s nothing like that crowd’s moan that makes you (wanna) weep.
Oh, there’s nothing like the sight of the well-turned double play.
Baseball, it’s our national pastime! It’s here to stay!
Baseball! Oh! How I love the game! Baseball! Oh! How I love the game!

CREDITS

• Lead Vocals: Jim Gallagher, Pat McGrath, Rustin Gallagher, Chris Pietrafitta, Barbara Stoffa, Jeff Stoffa, Greg Stoffa, Mark Robert Jacoby, Paloma Sappho Mammarella, April Iorio and Dave Fecca (of April Mae and the June Bugs) & Bob Wagner
• Background Vocals & Cheers etc.: Pam Mammarella, Sue Mammarella, Jessica Mammarella, Fran Mammarella, Rustin Gallagher, Katie Gallagher, Ryan Gallagher, Vicki Gallagher, Joe Mammarella, Tony Mammarella, Paloma Sappho Mammarella, Christian Mammarella-Pietrafitta, Chris Pietrafitta, Wayne Urffer, Barbara Stoffa, Jeff Stoffa, Bill McCann, Maryann Coppa McCann, Bob Wagner, Jean Becker, Tim Doane, Jennifer Doane, Ethan Doane, Joshua Doane, Mark Edward Jacoby, Colleen Jacoby, Michael Jacoby, Leanna Jacoby, Mark Robert Jacoby, Greg Stoffa, Liz Bressi-Stoppe, April Iorio and Dave Fecca (of April Mae and the June Bugs), Scott Rouba, Donna Mingori-Leaf, Rob Brooks & Jim Gallagher
• Drums: Scott Rouba
• Bass: Rustin Gallagher
• Lead Guitar & Electric Guitar (Boogie-Woogie AKA Keith): Jack Klotz Jr.
• Electric Guitar (Woogie-Boogie AKA Ronnie): Cal Davies
• Electric Guitar: Christian Mammarella-Pietrafitta
• Electric Guitar: Jim Becker
• Electric Guitar: Bill Dorman
• Ball Park Organ: Joe Fry
• Trumpet: Bill McCann
• Tambourine: Liz Bressi-Stoppe
• 12 String Acoustic Guitars: Jim Gallagher

Trust In Love

Author's Notes

I have always said I had been writing this song since I was a youth in college. I got my first guitar my sophomore year in college (I’m ashamed to say how many years ago) and had written the chord changes to the verses. Flash forward two or three lifetimes and I met Pam. Then I wrote the chorus and all the words. As Dan Levinson and I were programming this version he said that it needed a bridge and I said, "Go ahead!" Within a week he wrote the music to the "C" section and the night I hear it for the first time I wrote the words. Kelly recorded her vocal immaculately one night at Dan’s house and I could not be there. I only ever have spoken to her on the phone. Thank you again Kelly for being a beautiful part of this wedding present to Pam my wife of ten years next June. Thanks also to Darrel Hawes the brother of my dear friend Bruce Hawes who sang the song at our wedding for us Link for the video taste of that moment. Darrel of course moved on to bigger and better things as a member of Az Yet on LaFace records...Maybe both of brothers will rejoin me on the disc on that Gospel song I wrote (called "Lift Up Your Hearts" Click Here Truck #6 ).... Bruce played piano on the Billy Paul demo.... Anyway, the title track is all about the love of my life - Palmina Mammarella. "Grow old along with me..."

Lift Up Your Hearts 4:10

Author's Notes

In 1991 my friend Ronnie Baker, who was the original bass player for MFSB and who was also a great writer and producer in his own right, passed away from brain cancer. I sat in church at his funeral with my heart broken; listening to the songs played that day. I went later that day to a session and then home late that night with all those wonderful old traditional Gospel songs swimming in my head. I could not sleep. I found myself with my guitar in my hands at 2 or 3 in the morning writing this song. It seemed to flow through me, not come from in me. I recorded it to a cassette after I had fashioned the whole song. I rewound the tape and listened back only to suddenly realize that I had sung the song in a falsetto, which I had never done before. What so struck me was the fact that in every session I ever worked with Ronnie I never ever heard him sing anything that he needed to get across to anyone with anything BUT a falsetto. It so freaked me out I did not go back and even listen to the demo I made that night for a YEAR! At some point later, after his dear friend Norman Harris and sadly Bruce Hawes’ sister Debbie Hawes both passed away very young, did I go back and listen to that tape. I heard it and said I have to cut this for all 3 of them… So I went ahead and programmed a few versions of the song working with Ray Williams who changed an A minor chord to a C and ended up as a co-writer. In fairness he insisted that we record it in G (“the Gospel key” he said) and added the key changes that are in the recording. He is also the drummer on the track. I was involved with a project for Billy Paul at the time and played an early version to him and he said, “I love it and I want it on this project”. So we cut it but unfortunately the project was never completed. All I was ever going to add beyond what you hear here is a choir and to replace Bruce’s organ with an organ performance by Leon Huff. This is a last rough mix I did before the plug was pulled. Thanks to Billy and Blanche for permission to use it as is here. One note on that session was that Ray who is sightless had to be cued for the ending, well I as the producer had to “conduct” it with out him being able to see me. So as the tape was rolling, I when out into the studio and touched his back to cue him on the finish. So I had to edit the long tag out so everyone could hear how well he, Bruce and Tyrone played that ending. There is also a weird recording flaw I the 1 st verse which I fixed up as best possible with out access to the original multi-track tapes. I regret it can not be perfected, but this release may yet lead to other productions of the song that would honor Ronnie, Norman and Debbie’s memory.

I Need You 3:38

Author's Notes

A few years ago my wife Pam asked me to help her find something among the memorabilia from her childhood and teen years. As I searched through some old papers I came upon a single sheet of yellow legal paper and I was stopped cold by what I saw. There, hand written by her late father Anthony "Tony" Mammarella, were what was very obvious to me a set of lyrics to a song he had written or had planned to write. Since there was no recording of the song in existence that I was aware of, (and I had searched every tape and record on previous occasions) I could not resist and almost immediately went to my studio (The Vinyl Room) and began to write. A year later I finally had the guts to play it for some of the members of Pam's family. They loved it. I then planned to bring as many of the musical members of the family into the studio to record as I could. In the fall of 1998, I invited Agnes Mammarella, my wonderful mother-in-law, as a guest to the AIPH studio to watch her children and grandchildren record "I Need You". Like all producers I fiddled and added things but finally was able to present this CD to the family as a Christmas present that year. I am most proud to have co-written a song with the man whose record label, Swan Records, had the quote "Be cool, stay in school!" printed on every disc. Swan Records was also the first record label in America to release a single, from a then new and unknown singing group from England known as the Beatles. This was a full year before they appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show (check out the picture of Tony presenting them with their first American Gold record backstage that very night they first appeared on American TV). "Tony" Mammarella was the producer of a local television show on the ABC affiliate from its inception until after it went national and then moved to Los Angles. That show was the culturally ground breaking "American Bandstand" show which changed the face of American music forever!

“This Christmas with You”

• Jim Gallagher

Author’s notes:

Thirty some years ago, I married into the Mammarella family. They have a tremendous Christmas tradition and unbelievably vast love of the season. I had not always had such a love. It has grown however so great because I have been a part of their Christmas Spirit all these years that I wrote this Christmas song. Of course, I had to get EVERYONE in on it and it has taken a long time to get it all together, but I think it was worth it!

Lyrics:

• Words by Jim Gallagher and Pam Mammarella Music by Jim Gallagher © 2023

Another year has come and gone. Some seem short and some seem long.
I’m so glad to be here again with you,
this Christmas, this Christmas, this Christmas with you,
this Christmas, this Christmas, this Christmas with you.
Mistletoe, trees, lights and toys, Christmas gives us all so much joy,
I’m so glad to be here again with you,
this Christmas, this Christmas, this Christmas with you,
this Christmas, this Christmas, this Christmas with you.
Some years race and fly away, and some seem just to stay and stay.
I’m so glad to be here again with you,
this Christmas, this Christmas, this Christmas with you,
this Christmas, this Christmas, this Christmas with you.
I’m so glad to be here again with you,
this Christmas, this Christmas, this Christmas with you,
this Christmas, this Christmas, this Christmas with you.
Merry Christmas to you!

CREDITS

• Lead Vocals: Sue Mammarella
• Background Vocals: Pam Mammarella, Sue Mammarella, Mary Mammarella & Jessica Mammarella.
• 12 String Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar & Synth: Jim Gallagher
• Lead Electric Guitar: Jim Becker
• Bass & Second Lead Electric Guitar: Rustin Gallagher
• Electric Piano: Sue Mammarella
• Electric Guitar: Christian Mammarella-Pietrafitta
• Drums: Tony DiAnnuntis
• Jingle Bells (that have been in the Family for generations): T. J. Jacoby
• Sing-a-long Vocals: Pam Mammarella, Susan Virginia Mammarella, Mary Mammarella, Frances Mammarella, Jessica Mammarella, Mike Cooper, Chris Pietrafitta, Danielle Campbell, Mark Edward Jacoby, Colleen Jacoby, Michael Jacoby, Leanna Jacoby, Mark Robert Jacoby, James Becker, Elizabeth Hahn, Paloma Sappho Mammarella, Christian Mammarella-Pietrafitta, Laci Jacoby, Leila Jacoby, Cameron Campbell, Christopher Campbell, Barbara Stoffa, Jeff Stoffa, Greg Stoffa, Liz Bressi-Stoppe, Joe Mammarella, Rustin Gallagher, Katie Gallagher, Ryan Gallagher, Vicki Gallagher, Jean Becker, Tim Doane, Jennifer Doane, Ethan Doane, Joshua Doane, April Iorio and Dave Fecca (of April Mae and the June Bugs) & Jim Gallagher

She is My Heart

Author’s notes:

I recorded this song entirely on the day I finished writing it, Memorial Day 2020. I played everything and only ever remixed it once a few days later. Previously released on Nova Nulla Vox, my COVID instrumental album. This is for Pam too.

CREDITS

• 12 String Acoustic Guitars: Jim Gallagher
• Bass: Jim Gallagher
• Keyboards: Jim Gallagher
• Electric Guitars: Jim Gallagher

Ready

Author's Notes

On the day we cut “All About Love”, “Since I” and “Every Day” Rus started to play this bass line between cutting the other tracks. He did a ref vocal calling out changes for what became the chorus and Greg and Scott nailed it. I fixed little things with ProTools then added more guitars (GO CHUCK) that great clav (wow John) and real horns! (Big thanks to Matt, Walt and Nick and Ron Kerber for introducing me to them) The intro clav thing was so cool that I could hardly believe it! Silva and Rus tear it up! Can you believe this was only the first time she ever really recorded in a studio!?! Oh yeah, and I was the one who “has a fever and the only cure is… MORE COWBELL!”

Words Jim Gallagher and Music Rustin Gallagher © 2007

Linger

Author's Notes

Most recently written and most focused on at the end of this CD. I ended up adding everyone to my original demo (keeping only my keyboards) and polishing it up quite nicely I think. I love the atmosphere it creates now. Carla makes her 3rd appearance on as many of my CDs. (Check out the full long version! Available only here on the website.)

Words and Music by Jim Gallagher © 2007

Close To Me

Author's Notes

I wrote this one with Chuck McCrory. I had the changes and no melody. He wrote the melody and I then wrote the words. Producing this was a great deal of fun. The vibe is so sexy, and the solo is so strong, thanks Chuck. Also thanks to my sexy sirens singing in the back Cheryl Coveleski (who added some extra “flavor” too) and Rachel Sutcliff (who by the way was a member of Patti Labelle’s choir on the national TV show “Clash of the Choirs”!

Words by Jim Gallagher Music by Jim Gallagher and Chuck McCrory © 2007

“Happy Today”

• Jim Gallagher

Author’s notes:

Thank you, Scott Rouba, for the arrangement idea to start with the chorus, it really works. Jack Klotz pointed out the intro being a real Beatles rip off that I (believe it or not) did not realize even though Bill played it on his trumpet too! See Jeff, “another happy Jim Gallagher song”.

Lyrics:

• Words and Music by Jim Gallagher © 2019

Hap-hap-hap-hap-hap happy today!
Walking down the street! This feeling can’t be beat
Because you’re so sweet!
(I’m) Hap-hap-hap-hap-hap happy today!
The sky is bright and blue, cuz here I am with you.
Can this really be true?
(I’m) Hap-hap-hap-hap-hap happy today!
Every time I walk downtown, I take a look all around.
I see everybody’s so hap-hap happy today!
Walking down the street! This feeling can’t be beat!
Because you’re so sweet!
(I’m) Hap-hap-hap-hap-hap happy today!
(I’m) Hap-hap-hap-hap-hap happy today!

CREDITS

• Lead vocals: Jim Gallagher
• Drums: Scott Rouba
• Trumpet: Bill McCann
• Electric Guitar: Cal Davies
• Percussion: Liz Bressi-Stoppe
• 12 String Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Keyboards & Bass: Jim Gallagher

^^^Whispers in the Wind (Since You’ve Gone)

Author’s notes:

The first thing I wrote some time after I lost Pam. Rustin and Jack helped me make this wonderful and are co-writers. Rustin contributed so much and took such care to make it great he is a well-deserved co-producer as well. There are some who have heard this as it was being produced that believe that this is the best work I have ever done. As it says on the CD cover,
“Be sure to Listen to Whispers”! and check out the alternate versions!

Lyrics:

• Music by Jim Gallagher, Jack Klotz Jr. and Rustin Gallagher. Words by Jim Gallagher and Rustin Gallagher © 2023
  Co-produced by Rustin Gallagher and Jim Gallagher

Can you (still) hear the words we said? Spoken softly at night (into the night)
Taken by the wind (in)to the sky
Since you’re gone I’ve been searching, searching for what had been
But it’s like raindrops in the ocean, like whispers in the wind.
I whisper every morning, I whisper every night
When the whispers are answered everything will be alright
Time has surely taught us, to be here right now
With love all around us, all that life will allow
I see your face everywhere, but I can’t hear you anywhere,
(And) in the silence of the night, the words fly away, like whispers in the wind.
Since you’re gone I’ve been searching for what had been
But it’s like raindrops in the ocean, like whispers in the wind.
I can still remember how happy you made me.
And I must remember to share all the love that can be.
Love! Love! Love!

CREDITS

• Lead Vocals: Carla Benson
• Background Vocals: Skybox (Rustin Gallagher, Bob Calo, Chris Holland), Carla Benson & Sue Mammarella
• Soprano Acoustic Guitars: Jack Klotz Jr.
• Basses, Lead Electric Guitars,Electric Guitar & Keyboards: Rustin Gallagher
• Drums: Chris Holland
• Percussion: Scott Rouba
• Ocean Drum & Shakers: Liz Bressi-Stoppe
• 12 String Acoustic Guitars, Electric Guitar & “D” Bass: Jim Gallagher