YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT LOVE IS
The release of “You Don’t Know What Love Is” written by Don Raye (lyrics) and Gene de Paul (music) couldn’t be more timely.
As part of the “Don’t Explain” EP Studio Project with Greg Goebel, this is a tune that particularly spoke to me during the past two quarantine years of the pandemic. This tune is My Ode to COVID. (Coincidentally, this particular related dropped on DAY 14 of the worse case of laryngitis I’ve ever had. 1/2 dozen cancelled gigs, no voice, poor me, boo-hoo, snore. . . )
To personify my love affair with this music I’ll say this. To be cut off from the ability to enjoy it, make it, share it, and/or feel it’s vitality with live audiences, for me, really does represent the ubiquity of romantic heartbreak.
Greg’s arrangement and treatment of this song rivals none other.
I hope you enjoy it.
DARN THAT DREAM
“Darn That Dream” - A Greg Goebel arrangement, composition and production of a 1939 popular song composed by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics by Eddie DeLange.
Sometimes the universe just knows better. Period.
Sometimes. Oddly. The realization of a perceived “dream” is actually a nightmare.
Sometimes. The unrealized dream is actually a bullet dodged!
Either way. For me, the key for me is to never stop dreaming. Because that’s where my hope and desire are nurtured. That’s where I care best for myself. By dreaming of greater things, greater ways of being, greater ways of navigating the space I hold in this world.
An important by-product of this concept - the pursuit of and actualization of my dreams - is to be patient when the dreams I have don’t materialize or come true in the manner or in the time frame that I had imagined. Hence my favorite lyric, “Darn that dream and bless it too.”
Personally, I have been reluctant to learn, although proven true time and again, that often there is an even sweeter reality awaiting me when I truly awaken. This studio project with Greg Goebel, “Darn that Dream” is one such example.
This recording is among a series of tunes born during phase three of the perpetual COVID pandemic. Up to that point, I’d only dreamed of recording live with Greg and his band years earlier when we first gigged at my favorite local winery in rural Oregon. But that’s where my dream ended.
Fast forward a couple years later. Darn that Dream is but one of a series of compositions arranged by Greg making up an exciting extended play (EP) CD released early 2023.
This particular song is a classic. Ranking No. 1 on the billboards in 1940, the song was introduced in the Broadway musical “Swingin’ the Dream,” a variation on “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare written c. 1595 or 1596. The play was set in New Orleans in 1890.
Just as Shakespeare’s work has been contemporized by various production companies since they were originally penned, Greg’s treatment of “Darn that Dream” revitalizes this song making it fresh and relevant for twenty-first century audiences. Frankly. It’s brilliant.
And. I’m thrilled to share it with you.
“Darn that dream and bless it too. Without that dream. There never would be you.”
Eddie De Lange
BODY & SOUL
I adore Greg Goebel, as a musician, a producer, a professional and as a friend. Here is our latest collaboration, the amazingly beautiful 1930 classic, “Body and Soul,” music by Johnny Green and lyrics by Edward Neyman, Robert Sour and Frank Eyton. Greg’s wonderful work — including his vocals! — is all over this.
I’VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO HIS FACE
So blessed to discover that Greg’s goals for his production expansion fit with my goals for bringing something special, but not showy, to the wonderful Great American Songbook. We both believe that this repertoire has so much life in it and that it deserves to be reinvented with the tone, style, and artistry of today. Greg’s taste is impeccable. I’m privileged to be working with him, and I’ve devoted myself to realizing with him a number of songs we’re releasing soon.
Here’s the first!
ADVANCE TESTIMONIALS
Ben Wolfe
“I’ve Grown Accustomed to His Face.” A Greg Goebel styling, arrangement & collaboration. (02.16.2022)
“I have been very much enjoying vocalist Billie Eidson’s wonderful rendition of the Lerner and Loewe classic, “I’ve Grown Accustomed to [His] Face. The intimate duo setting with pianist Greg Goebel couldn’t be more perfect.”
— Ben Wolfe
Ben Wolfe is a bassist and composer whose career includes Grammy award- winning, platinum-selling collaborations with Harry Connick Jr., and Diana Krall, as well as ongoing collaborations with Wynton Marsalis and performances with jazz luminaries such as Joe Henderson, Doc Cheatum, Jon Hendricks, Harry "Sweets” Edison, and Billy Higgins, among many others.
About Greg Goebel
Billie says, “I would love to express my sincere gratitude to Greg Goebel for sharing his passion, creativity and talent with me on this project. This is a quintessential Greg Goebel-esque styling, arrangement and collaboration.”
Here’s what you should know about Greg Goebel.
From straight ahead jazz, funk and pop, to the avant garde, Greg Goebel is considered one of the Northwest's first call pianists.
Praised by critics for "manifesting his ideas with the immediacy and sureness of a master craftsman" (Jazz Times) and as "a force that is stretching known boundaries and moving the music into new territory" (Larry Koonse), pianist Greg Goebel shows himself as firmly rooted in tradition while simultaneously proving to be a unique voice among a new generation.
Greg Goebel is also a master producer. “Touring the world, writing and co-producing records for over 11 years with singer/songwriter/producer extraordinaire, Gino Vannelli,” he remarks, “has provided me with invaluable skills in the production industry. I’ve devoted my life to a deep understanding of music and composition to serve my performances on stage. Now I’ve taken those well-honed skills to the other side of the microphone as a producer.”
Skylark. Released 9/3/2021
My take on Hoagy Carmicheal’s 1941 American popular song Skylark is scheduled to release on Friday, September 3, 2021. Featuring Tom Grant on piano and vocals, upright bassist and veteran of Pink Martini since 2003, Phil Baker, and Ron Steen on drums.
Skylark. Have you anything to say to me?
Just as Johnny Mercer struggled with Hoagy Carmicheal’s 1940 classic composition for over one year trying to “get the lyrics" right,” so too haven’t we all shared a similar struggle over the past year? Sure. Listen to the yearning of this tune. It's based on Mercer’s love affair with Judy Garland. It' s real. It's complicated. It's LIFE.
“And in your lonely flight, haven’t you heard the music in the night? Wonderful music. . . .”
BILLIE’S BIRTHDAY RELEASE - I COULD WRITE A BOOK -IS HERE!
“I Could Write a Book”, a Rodgers and Hart classic, is Billie’s newest release, featuring Portland’s classic rhythm section for American Popular Song (Tom Grant on piano, Phil Baker on bass. and Ron Steen on drums.)
Get it wherever great music is streamed and sold — and at any of the links below!
Choose your stream or purchase option below!
VALENTINE’S DAY WITH BILLIE & KMHD
Do you still listen to the radio? I DO!
Tune into to KMHD (89.1 FM, Portland, OR; or tunein.com/radio/KMHD-891) on Sunday, February 14, 2021, from 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm to hear Lynn Darroch’s virtual interview with Billie on KMHD. Learn about certain aspects of her work both laying the foundation for and serving as an impetus to her debut CD, “Sometimes I Love You,” featuring jazz luminaries, Tom Grant on piano and vocals, Phil Baker on bass, and Ron Steen on drums.
Mr. Darroch’s musical stories include tales of encounters with jazz and Latin music greats including Ray Charles, Phil Woods, Betty Carter and Ruben Blades. Musical colleagues include: Randy Porter, Tom Grant, Clay Giberson, John Stowell, Alfredo Muro, Louis Pain, Jonathan Swanson, Pere Soto, David Evans, John Nastos, Rob Davis and Brian Healy.
Tune in! Sunday, February 14th!
Billie’s Birthday Surprise.
RSVP to my Friday, February 12, LIVESTREAM with Portland’s premier streaming company, Left Door Streaming, to receive MY birthday gift to YOU! Must RSVP to be in the know!
*HINT: After almost half of a decade…I really could write a book!
BE AMONG THE FIRST FIVE TO ACCURATELY GUESS MY SURPRISE AND GET YOUR EXCLUSIVE FREE COPY!
MUST GUESS @ BILLIEEIDSONMUSIC.COM VIA “CONTACT BILLIE” TO WIN!
Crazy He Calls Me.
A sneak preview of my debut single CD. Enjoy this excerpt!
Released December 1, 2020.
$2.99 for your own copy of the single, Crazy He Calls Me.
Featuring Tom Grant (p), Phil Baker (b), and Ron Steen (d).
