Texas rocker’s tribute to George Harrison
by Clive price
Hot on the heels of Martin Scorsese’s new documentary on former Beatle George Harrison – Living In A Material World – a Texas singer-songwriter has released a special cover version of one of the guitarist’s epic songs.
Dallas musician Rohn Bailey has recorded an unusual piano-driven version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps from The Beatles’ White Album as the final track to his latest CD Life Café. He believes its lyrics are among the most moving ever written.
‘The line that gets me every time I sing it is “With every mistake we must surely be learning” – probably because I’m living it,’ said Bailey, who performs regularly in concert and at Truluck’s in Southlake. The other eleven tracks are his own compositions.
One has already been chosen as the theme song of a major TV series to come out some time late next year. But Bailey isn’t saying which track. ‘I can’t say anything further about that, for obvious reasons,’ he explained.
The music is reminiscent of 70s Billy Joel and Elton John – Piano Man and Tumbleweed Connection may well spring to mind. But the words reflect the heart of a musician facing the challenges of reaching mid-life in the 21st century.
Bailey hired key players to help him. Producer was award-winning artist Tom Prasada-Rao, who has performed with the likes of Janis Ian and Ritchie Havens. Bassist was Chuck Rainey, who’s played and recorded with the likes of Steely Dan and Aretha Franklin and a massive list of who’s who in the music world.
‘All the songs were written in a five-month period,’ said Bailey, who’s been chosen as a featured artist on the national TV show, Troubadour Texas. ‘I found myself with a new audience, new genre – new everything. Yet I’m unknown. At my age that’s a risk.
‘However, I refuse to live with regrets for not having tried. If there were a campaign entitled, “It’s never too late to follow your dreams”, I’d be the poster child for it. I’m playing, singing and writing better than at any time in my life.’
Clive Price is an award-winning author, qualified journalist and experienced editor. He has served as a media consultant and publicity writer for a number of leading organisations including the international relief and development agency World Vision and the Christian division of the music giant EMI. Clive has contributed to newspapers and magazines in the USA, Canada, Ireland, the UK and Australia.