My introduction to this week's tune came via it being played in store back in the day when I was working for Camelot Music. It was a very popular album among my employees (for some reason blues rock of any sort was huge with any of my associates at every point in my career), but kind of a meh record to me until one day out of the clear blue sky this song came on and captured my musical soul. No idea why one day it was just some song and the next I loved it, but such is sometimes the case on the musical journey I've taken....
Delbert McClinton has quietly had a long and successful career making music. Starting out in 1957 playing in a bar band in his native Texas, McClinton had his first taste of success playing harmonica on Bruce Channel's 1962 hit "Hey Baby." He'd eventually move to L.A. and become part of a duo before embarking on a solo career in 1975 which he continues to this day. Some of his career highlights include Emmylou Harris taking one of his compositions ("Two More Bottles of Wine") to #1 on the country charts in 1978, a top ten single of his own with "Giving It Up for Your Love" in 1980, a top five country duet with Tanya Tucker ("Tell Me About It") in 1992, and winning four Grammy's (in eight nominations). For his career, McClinton has released thirty-one albums, twelve compilations, and seventeen singles. He released his latest album in 2022 and last toured in 2018.
Fun Fact: While touring the U.K. with Channel in 1962, McClinton met John Lennon and gave him some harmonica tips--which Lennon subsequently used on "Love Me Do" and "Please Please Me."
"Have a Little Faith in Me" was released on McClinton's 1992 album, the rather lacking aurally entitled Never Been Rocked Enough. The song was not released as a single, but the album hit #118 on the Billboard 200.
Written by John Hiatt (he originally released the song) for his estranged wife after his rehab for drug and alcohol addiction (sadly, she later committed suicide), I chose McClinton's version because it was the version that captured my musical ear (I've heard both and can honestly say that Hiatt's version is great as well). Opening with a soft rhythmic piano before introducing a swirling organ that provide the backdrop for McClinton's throaty vocals, "Have a Little Faith in Me" becomes a musical redemption for mere mortals such as us. McClinton's vocals are standout throughout, and the music stays just right, not too heavy nor too soft. It's easy to see why this song has appeared in so many movies and TV show--it's "I love you and I got your back" genre is perfect for any love crisis scenes. Almost spiritual, it's a nice ballad that reminds us just how stunning soft musical pieces can be. A gem.
Lyric Sheet: "I said I will hold you up, I will hold you up/Your love gives me strength enough/So have a little faith in me..."
Enjoy:
Fuck Donald Trump
Peace,
emaycee
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