My Black Country

I received My Black Country - The Songs of Alice Randall for Christmas. Lovely!

It's a fine record just to listen to, but there's a lot more to it too. Indeed, there's a whole book!

That makes sense, I guess. Alice Randall is perhaps more well-known as a writer of books than as a writer of songs.

I learned so much reading this book. For example, Herbie Hancock is named after Herb Jeffries! Who knew?

Randall's first hit was "Big Dream," written with Ralph Murphy (and, as we learn in the book, Randall's daughter). It appeared in the movie, The Thing Called Love (1993).

I hadn't heard this song in years, but recognized it right away when I heard Valerie June's version on the record. I like that June restores the proper meter. In the original, Samantha Mathis sings

Makes me think, maybe, God's a woman too

Makes me think, maybe, God's a woman too

Repeating "maybe" the second time throws everything off. There's just too many syllables. On this record, Valerie June sings

Makes me think, maybe, God's a woman too

Makes me think God's a woman too

Ah, that's better. The syllables line up with the beat and everything just flows. That's how I sing it anyway, even when I'm singing along to the Samantha Mathis version. There isn't time for two more syllables there. What's wrong with you?