"get happy!" is my first "Gospel music-inspired " music video. As far as a "working title " is concerned; there has not actually ever been one, for this tune. It wasn’t at all long – after the melody fell into place – that everything said to me, “get happy!”. Ha ha
BACKSTORY: This tune and arrangement is yet another base track session lifted from the RAYEWALTERmusic 'playe'list archives. Another of those tunes where I knew, right away, that I had something quite special on hand!!
It all started – one day, some years ago – when I had an idea about wanting to write something at a particular tempo! The tempo I chose was based on the tempo of some tune that I had heard, and felt really inspired by. I can’t even tell you what that tune was! But, the tempo/beat just felt “right” to me, at the time! That's all I remember.
You’ve certainly heard various different musicians/songwriters say that “this tune pretty much wrote itself!”, or that, “this song was finished, in a matter of minutes!”! Well… THIS was one of those occasions, too!!
Truth be known, as I recall, the initial base tracks, for the entire tune – melody and all – were all finished within about 20-30 minutes,..max!! Pretty much every single musical idea/instrument you hear in this tune today was put down during those first 20-30 minutes! Only a few minor "refinements" or finishing touches have since been added.
PROCESS: First, the tempo, itself. Then, I scouted around for a “catchy” beat/groove. ...In rapid order, I decided to just hit “Record”, and see what happens! The comp chords and that little catchy “fun-time” melody came together pretty much simultaneously; and with each now take, another rhythmic or instrument idea (or both) just kept popping into my head! It was like, “Oj, I think I like that! Now, what else does this need??”. ...I was just so inspired, and was having fun!!
...The tune turned pretty "Gospel"-ly, pretty quick! Especially, with that heavy, pumping bass line! ...I just felt "Hammond B3 organ bass pedals" – as I, so many years, have played them! Love it!!
Suddenly, I was transported, in my mind, back in time, to my old Apostolic Pentecostal church days, back in Philadelphia – Lily of the Valley Bible Way Church** – on a warm summer’s Sunday morning; running through that last tune, with the band – one more time – just before the service was due to begin! …Ask any church musician; they know exactly what I’m talkin’ about! Ha ha
SCENARIO; You’re the organist/bandleader, and you need to run through this tune, one last time, to make sure that everybody’s got the changes down pat. But, wouldn’t ya just know it, the lead sax player is “running a little late”, again!!
Precious minutes pass!
… OK, ya can’t wait any longer, the congregation is already starting to come in! …So, let's go, we play!
And, of course, while we’re working our way through the verses, here comes the sax player, rushing down the aisle! He quickly unpacks his alto sax, does a quick, quiet pitch control, and manages to join in – at last(!) – on the third verse! Of course, he nails his lead solo, as always!! Ha ha …You get the picture! Ha ha
The church continues to fill, and everybody’s lovin’ what they hear! People start to respond – more and more – and yes, (as they used to say in the Baptist church) folk even start to “get happy”; the longer we play and groove!!
…”A-a-and, we’re OFF, everybody!”
“CHURCH” has already started!! Ha ha
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**BACKGROUND: I joined the Lily of the Valley (baptized/spirit-filled), when I was 16; and become the lead organist/choir director. When I first started at the church, they used to call it “The Lily”; for short. I thought that that “nickname” sounded kind of nerdy and bland, so I took it upon myself to start calling it, “The Valley” – which was waaay more cool! Ha ha …It caught on, and in no time at all; the church became officially known as “The Valley”!
This was the 1969-70’s. …I spent some of the most exciting, inspiring, and loving years of my spiritual life, with this group of Believers; before starting out on what would become my international touring music career!
I THANK GOD for “The Valley”!
(NOTE: In the many years since, although the church still exists; it adopted a new name, and has been under a number of new pastorages. As in my own case, the lives and ambitions of many (if not most) of the “saints”, from my time at The Valley, have, through the years, taken them to sundry new geographical locations, and/or into other ministries; but the “spirit” of those ol' “Valley” days is still QUITE ALIVE and VERY WELL, indeed!!
…Just listen, and you’ll hear and feel it!