My life has been a most interesting journey, taking me many places and exposing me to many different cultures and genres of music. Steeped in these many influences, I would occasionally write songs that did not seem to go together in a cohesive way, and I didn’t know what to do with them.
Only recently, I started performing solo shows, just playing guitar and singing songs. As my act evolved, I realized that songs from a wide variety of genres could track smoothly without feeling abrupt or inappropriate. Thus was born the concept of putting these recordings of diverse songs together on one album, even though it seemed All Over The Map.
All but three of these songs are originals that were written over the last forty years of my life and were inspired by life events that were thought provoking, bringing forth reactions, emotional responses, deep realizations, and insights that found expression through the channel of my music.
I invite you now to walk with me for awhile on my journey, and allow me to take you All Over The Map.
Jonathan and Rocky Frisco 1976
When I lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the early seventies, I became friends with Rocky Frisco, singer/songwriter, silversmith, and philosopher, a man of kindred spirit. Back then, he wrote two of the songs that appear on this album: Lover’s Lament and Firefly. Rocky passed away in May, 2015. R.I.P., my friend.
Justin Hinds and Jonathan Arthur 1989
In 1987, destiny caused my path to meet Justin Hinds in Jamaica. Justin was very well known in Jamaica as a singer/songwriter and recording artist under the name Justin Hinds & the Dominoes. His career began in the sixties during the ska period of Jamaican music, and he was a respected pioneer of reggae music. We became very close friends, and in 1989, we decided to start a band, both to record some of my reggae songs and to be a touring band for Justin, as he had never left the island. During the nineties, he and I played together in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. In March of 2005, I received the shocking news that my dear friend had “gone to Zion”. Still missing you, my friend. R.I.P.
Special Thanks
On the liner notes of many albums, you may find “Special Thanks” where many people are mentioned who helped, encouraged, and supported the efforts made to make the recording. I suppose I could have done that, because truly, many people assisted me in making this album on many levels; however, I only want to mention one individual and his wife.
Without the help of Clay Reid, this CD would not have existed. Over a period of several years, we worked on this project, usually having no more than one short session a week because of our busy schedules. The sessions would usually start with a meal that he and his wonderful wife, Andrea would provide.
Over time, Clay devoted so much time and effort, not only on the recording engineering, mixing, and mastering of these tracks, but also helping me make decisions about the production, figuring out session logistics to bring the musicians together to capture the parts, encouraging me when I felt like my artistry wasn’t good, and just plain old being a good friend. He always tried his best to give me just what I asked for to the best of his ability, and even contributed some guitar tracks.
So even though it doesn’t seem like enough: Thank you so very much, Clay, for your perseverance, and thank you Andrea for supporting us through to the conclusion! We went All Over The Map.
All Over The Map | Tracklist & Personnel
01. Getting Over You (2000)
recorded by Sapphire Soul:
Jonathan Arthur: vocals, tenor sax
Robert “Bobby D” Delgado: guitars
Laurie Dana: keyboards
Mike Bassi: bass
John James: drums
02. Love Shall Reign (2002)
Jonathan Arthur: vocals, guitar, tenor sax
Jeff Daub: trumpet
Charlie Francis: trombone
Bill Teague: bass
Jason Murray: drums
Jan Murray, Ann Scow: backing vocals
03. Captain Of My Ship (2006)
recorded by Sapphire Soul:
Jonathan Arthur: vocal, tenor sax
Robert “Bobby D” Delgado: guitars
Laurie Dana: keyboards
Mike Bassi: bass
John James: drums
04. Lover’s Lament (by Rocky Frisco, 1975)
Jonathan Arthur: vocal, guitar, harmonica, bass
Terry Thorn: drums
05. Alone In Paradise (2002)
Jonathan Arthur: vocals, acoustic guitar, bass, alto flute
Clay Reid: acoustic and electric guitars
Terry Thorn: drums
Jan Murray, Ann Scow: backing vocals
06. When You Give Your Love To Me (2005)
Jonathan Arthur: vocals, guitar, harmonica
Gary Dunsmoor: bass
Steve Smith: drums
07. Firefly (by Rocky Frisco, 1975)
Jonathan Arthur: vocal, guitar, bass, flute
Terry Thorn: drums
08. Money (1987)
Jonathan Arthur: vocals, guitar, tenor sax, organ
Jeff Daub: trumpet
Charlie Francis: trombone
Robert “Bobby D” Delgado: lead guitar
Bill Teague: bass
Jason Murray: drums
Jan Murray, Ann Scow: backing vocals
09. Long Time (by Jim Clarkson, 2012)
Jonathan Arthur: vocal, tenor sax
Terry Smith: piano
Jim Clarkson: guitar
Clay Reid: guitar
Mick Nantel: bass
Steve Smith: drums
10. Be Good To Your Love (2008)
Jonathan Arthur: vocals, guitar, tenor sax
Ira Walker: producer, engineer, bass, backing vocal
11. Time Passing (1999)
Jonathan Arthur: vocals, guitar, flute
Terry Smith: sampled steel drum
Clay Reid: guitar
Mike Bassi: bass
Terry Thorn: drums
12. Cold Wind (2010)
Jonathan Arthur: vocals, acoustic slide guitar, bass, harmonica
Robert “Bobby D” Delgado: electric slide guitars
Terry Thorn: drums
13. We Walk The Same (1974)
Jonathan Arthur: vocals, guitar, flute
Jack Lemley: bass
Jerry Morano: congas, percussion
Jan Murray, Ann Scow: backing vocals
14. Give Thanks And Praise (1983)
Jonathan Arthur: vocal, guitars, tenor sax
Jeff Daub: trumpet
Charlie Francis: trombone
Bill Teague: bass
Jason Murray: drums
15. The Journey (It’s Not Too Late) (1979)
Jonathan Arthur: vocal, guitar, tenor sax
Terry Smith: piano
Jack Lemley: bass
Steve Smith: drums
16. Beyond My Dreams (1974)
Jonathan Arthur: tenor sax
Terry Smith: piano
Mark Springer: bass
Steve Smith: drums