This song has been a source of power for me since my friend Joel Shearer asked me to write lyrics and sing on his gorgeous composition. I came by his studio near Gower and Santa Monica in Hollywood and he played me the song. The original recording was Joel on Guitar and Drums and Deron Johnson played Wurlitzer. It was already late that night and I
This song has been a source of power for me since my friend Joel Shearer asked me to write lyrics and sing on his gorgeous composition. I came by his studio near Gower and Santa Monica in Hollywood and he played me the song. The original recording was Joel on Guitar and Drums and Deron Johnson played Wurlitzer. It was already late that night and I remember falling in love with the track immediately. All of Joel's songs are lovable like that! I started writing lyrics on the spot and had some from another song in one of my notepads and Joel had a microphone set up. I was slightly in a dream state while recording the demo and probably fell asleep for a second or two during the recording which comes through on the demo. Dream state for sure. That was around late 2002 or early 2003.
Fast forward a decade to Sunset Park in Brooklyn- 2013 and I recorded it for the Mr. Miller album sessions at Motherbrain. The venerable Brian Bender built an incredible studio in a space that Nightshades bandmate Aaron Johnston used to inhabit and work in. Aaron introduced Brian and I to exchange the keys as I was staying at the space right after a breakup and as fate would have it, Brian was also heartbroken. We met at Pianos on Ludlow Street and bonded instantly. Brian produced and recorded the track. Myself on guitars and vocals, Andry Hess on the Fender Bass, George Laks on Wurlitzer and Tony Mason on drums. Mark Plati mixed it at Alice's Restaurant in the East Village of Manhattan and Roman Klun mastered it at Innsbruck Records in Bushwick, Brooklyn. All of these amazing humans are from the stars! Thanks to all of them for their brilliance and to Joel for deciding to play the track to me and being open.
Words: Gabriel Gordon Music: Joel Shearer
Mighty Power (Gabriel Gordon/Joel Shearer)
Something about time and the way it moves Across the face of water Some say never mind the ways of this world When you’re just trying to find what you’re after
Turn and twist and let it go When you’ve let your feelings show you know You cast your gaze across this world Just to see if someone could Read your mind and soothe your soul Could be the one to bring you home whole
You can see clearly now What really happened to you And all the heights will seem to soar And the valleys bring you back for more But if you’re looking for me I’ll be searching I’ll be out searching, the mighty power
Turn and twist and let it go When you let your feelings show you know You cast your gaze across this world Just to see if someone could Read your mind and soothe your soul Could be the one to bring you whole
Remember when you didn’t know All the ways to watch the river flow Contained within your simple gaze Is the power to remain Drawn to light from all dark places I still get confused by all of these faces Just staring at me and clouding my view That’s when I realize just what’s coming to It’s the mighty mighty power that you use
© Gabriel Gordon/Joel Shearer Photo © Michael Weintrob