Sunday morning smooth

Sunday morning smooth for Labor Day weekend 2010. "Sunday Morning Smooth" is what I call GREAT peaceful "smooth" and easy music to help add some flavor to a quiet and pleasant Sunday morning. For me it includes listening to Jazz and mellow R&B music mainly from the 1970's into the 1980's sometimes venturing into the "smooth jazz" genre of the 1990's.

I may not post this feature every week but only when I feel up to it.

This Sunday morning Smooth comes from home. I hadn't slept all night and I am about to do my laundry and perhaps order take out pancake breakfast from either IHOP or Cracker Barrel, whichever one I can get into and out of quickly before the "church folk" start coming in for their Sunday breakfast. Where I live, this means you'll wait a hour for a table or just as long to order something to go.

But on to the music for this Sunday morning.

Celebrating a birthday this week was jazz artist Boney James and Scottish singer Al Stewart. Their songs that fit best with the "Sunday Morning Smooth" theme are..

Boney James "Sweet Thing" from 1997


And Al Stewart's "Year of The Cat" from 1977


Those are a good fit but getting to the "meat" of this "Sunday Smooth Set" I would have to carve the best of those who are only household names to the truly loyal and this morning I wish to make it a family meal featuring musical entrees from the LAWS Family.

Hubert Laws, his brother Ronnie Laws and his sisters Eloise Laws and Debra Laws.

First Eloise. This is her most famous songs from the late 1970's

Eloise Laws "You're Incredible"


Next, Eloise's baby sister Debra Laws who gained greater fame through this very popular song from 1981. "Very Special" remains popular today within the "Quiet Storm" genre of R&B music.



Now on to the male siblings. You hardly hear much about the second oldest of the eight Laws children who are in music. Hubert Laws (JR), born 70 years ago, the flutist provided some of the best and innovative jazzy soul recordings of the 1960's and 1970's, performed with many legends like Chick Corea and George Benson and in many forms of classical music to this date. But from what I can tell Hubert Laws is not the recognized name that he should be.

Well music is a passion of mine and here is HUBERT LAWS 1978 recording "Land Of Passion"


And finally from the Laws family tree is perhaps the most famous of the Laws children in music. Ronnie Laws definitely had more popular "hit" songs including "Friends and Strangers", "Always There", his duet with his sister Debra posted above "Very Special" and his solo vocal hit "Every Generation".

The rest of this week's "Sunday Morning Smooth" set has connections with Ronnie Laws. On some you will hear Ronnie Laws on vocals as well.

1975's "Always There"


"Every Generation" from 1980


And another great vocal song from Ronnie Laws from the early 80's "Stay Awake"


And the classic Ronnie Laws "Friends And Strangers", the original 1977 version.


And just as great for me to listen to on a Sunday morning is the DAVE GRUSIN cover version of "Friends and Strangers" from 1980



And that is just a sample of how my "Sunday Morning Smooth" goes musically. Some people go to church on Sunday. I worship peacefully with music.