BST 84352

Horace Silver - That Healin' Feelin'

Released - October 1970

Recording and Session Information

Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, April 8, 1970
Randy Brecker, trumpet, flugelhorn; George Coleman, tenor sax; Horace Silver, piano, electric piano; Bob Cranshaw, electric bass; Mickey Roker, drums; Andy Bey, vocals #1,3-5.

The Happy Medium
tk.7 That Healin' Feelin'
tk.17 Love Vibrations
tk.21 The Show Has Begun
Peace

Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, June 18, 1970
Randy Brecker, trumpet; Houston Person, tenor sax; Horace Silver, electric piano; Jimmy Lewis, electric bass; Idris Muhammad, drums; Gail Nelson, vocals #1; Jackie Verdell, vocals #2-4.

tk.6 Nobody Knows
tk.12 Permit Me To Introduce You To Yourself
tk.14 Wipe Away The Devil
tk.21 There's Much To Be Done

Track Listing

Side One
Title	Author	Recording Date
That Healin' Feelin	Horace Silver	April 8 1970
The Happy Medium	Horace Silver	April 8 1970
The Show Has Begun	Horace Silver	April 8 1970
Love Vibrations	Horace Silver	April 8 1970
Peace	Horace Silver	April 8 1970
Side Two
Permit Me to Introduce You to Yourself	Horace Silver	June 18 1970
Wipe Away the Evil	Horace Silver	June 18 1970
Nobody Knows	Horace Silver	June 18 1970
There's Too Much to Be Done	Horace Silver	June 18 1970

Liner Notes

MUSIC AND THE MIND

We all know the power an infectious melody has on the mind. Emanating from the mind of the writer and being absorbed by the mind of the listener. It can bring forth much happiness. The writer, being dedicated, is made happy in arriving at the melody and the listener is made happy by singing, humming, whistling, dancing or listening to it. An infectious, melody lingers in the mind to be recalled from time to time, bringing with it hopefully such feelings as the author intends to convey. An infectious poem or verse also lingers in the mind to be recalled from time to time, bringing with it hopefully such feelings as the author intends to convey. It is our intention to conceive such melody and verse that will convey health. Happiness.

Love and peace, and bring to you a lasting good.

Horace Silver — 1970

1. THAT HEALIN' FEELIN' (3:51)

SUBJECT: Spiritual awakening, or self awareness
No words, just a feeling or an experience, or both.

2. THE HAPPY MEDIUM (4:55)

Vocal by Andy Bey
SUBJECT: Finding a medium or balance within self

This way or that, which way should I go to find
a Happy Medium would help me I know.
I need someone to show me the road to find
a Happy Medium to lighten my load.
You came along to show me the way to find a
Happy Medium to brighten my day.
Thank you my friend for being so kind I found
a Happy Medium right here in my mind.

3. THE SHOW HAS BEGUN (4:08)

Vocal by Andy Bey
SUBJECT: Reincarnation

How we stand in distant land with distant
memory, wonderin' why the things we see
have distant reverie. Have we met sometime,
somewhere in life's gigantic show?
Have we both fulfilled a part in plays of long
ago? The tickets are sold, rehearsals are
done. The curtain pulls back to view a new
act. Now this could be fun, the show has
begun.
Takin' on a brand new part and studyin' the
role. Makin' change of character that new
things might unfold.
Lookin' for a new approach to help us to
display, inner depth and beauty to the
part we have to play. The tickets are sold,
rehearsals are done. The curtain pulls back
to view a new act. Now this could be fun, the
show has begun.
Do we know just who we are or who we might
have been, puttin' on a brand new face that
we might act again.
Who can tell the roles we'll play in searchin'
for the one, that will bring true happiness
when acting days are done. The tickets are
sold, rehearsals are done. The curtain pulls
back to view a new act. Now this could be
fun, the show has begun.

4. LOVE VIBRATIONS (4:00)

Vocal by Andy Bey
SUBJECT: Love

Emptiness surrounds my lonely heart and life
has lost its thrill.
Wonderin' why my mind's been torn apart.
Have no dreams left to fill.
And then you came my way to wash away the
gloom, and show the strength of love.
Love stepped in to gently plant its seed and
things began to grow.
In my heart I feel there is a need, and I want
you to know.
You are my one true love the one I've waited
for. I know you're meant for me.

5. PEACE (3:23)

Vocal by Andy Bey
SUBJECT: Meditation, Reincarnation and Peace

There's a place that I know where the
sycamores grow and daffodils have their fun.
Where the cares of the day seem to slowly
fade away in the glow of the evening sun.
Peace when the day is done.
Ifl go there real late let my mind meditate on
everything to be done.
If I search deep inside let my conscience
be my guide, then the answers are sure to
come.
Don't have to worry none.
Life's sweet seed when it grows like a big
yellow rose can wither and come undone.
But that sweet smellin' thing will be
blossomin' next Spring with the kiss of the
midday sun.
Livin' has just begun.
When you find peace of mind leave your
worries behind, don't say that it can't be
done.
With a new point of view life's true meanin'
comes to you and the freedom you seek
is won.
Peace is for everyone.

6. PERMIT ME TO INTRODUCE YOU TO YOURSELF (3:11)

Vocal by Jackie Verdell
SUBJECT: Getting to know the self

Permit me to introduce you to yourself
I believe you to have never really met.
If you take a little time to get acquainted, you
can settle all your differences I bet.
The two of you are related don't you know.
Won't you both shake hands and meet on
common ground.
Won't you make a slight attempt at
understandin' till a suitable arrangement can
be found.
Now why are you always fightin' with yourself.
There are ways that you can use to bridge
the gap.
If you take a little int rest in a science*, that
will lead you down, the road just like a map.
So why don't you call a meetin' with yourself.
I believe you two would consequently find,
there's a meetin' place where you can get
together, and you'll find it in the centre of
your mind.

• Numerology, Astrology, Grapho-Analysis, Palmistry, etc.

7. WIPE AWAY THE EVIL (4:13)

Vocal by Jackie Verdell
SUBJECT: Hate, Love, Desire for change, Plan and Action

You standin' round here grumblin' with your
big mouth hanging out
You fussin' and you mumblin' while your
future is in doubt
Your mouth is runnin' faster while your mind
is runnin' late.
A man thds got ambition just ain't got no
time to hate.
Why don't you wipe away the evil, and let the
good shine through.
You hangin' round the pool room you ain't got
nowhere to go.
You preachin' hate your brother when you
really ought to know.
A man is just a man and we are all put here
to learn.
You give a little love and you will get some
in return.
Why dont you wipe away the evil and let the
good shine through.
Well you can't blame nobody if your future's
lookin' dim.
Your pocketbook is empty and your hopes
are might slim.
Just make yourself a promise that you know
you're gonna' keep.
And have a strong conviction that you know
goes way down deep.
Why don't you wipe away the evil, and let the
good shine through.
Well get yourself together so you'll know just
what to do.
Just make yourself a blurprint and you'll
surely see it through.
A man without a plan is like a ship without
a sail.
Ain't got nowhere to go and so you know he's
got to fail.
Why don't you wipe away the evil, and let the
good shine through.

8. NOBODY KNOWS (4:10)

Vocal by Gail Nelson
Subject: Nudity and Sex

How much clothes do you suppose can cover
up your mind.
Its been asked but no one knows the
answers to my rhythm.
Nobody knows, nobody knows, the answer to
my rhythm.
Nobody knows, nobody knows, the answer
will take time.
(Interlude)
Bodies posted without no clothes some look
on with disgust.
How we view the indisposed is surely up
to us.
Nobody knows, nobody knows, the answer to
my rhythm.
Nobody knows, nobody knows, the answer
will take time.
(Interlude)
People clad in nudity as old as time and
space.
Will we keep our sanity and exercise good
Nobody knows, nobody knows, the answer to
my rhythm.
Nobody knows, nobody knows, the answer
will take time

9 THERE'S MUCH TO BE DONE (4:09)

Vocal by Jackie Verdell
Subject: The prompting of the higher self or spirit

The school of life keeps teachin' the lessons
we must learn.
The inner voice keeps briefin' there's much
to be done,
There's much to be done.
That is the essence of its call.
Eternal evolution that we make restitution
and find the right solution to it all.
The scale of justice heapin' the measure we
must meet.
The inner voice keeps briefin' there's much to
be done, there's much to be done.
That is the essence of its call.
Eternal evolution that we make restitution
and find the right solution to it all.
The search for truth comes seepin' through
classrooms of the mind.
The inner voice keeps briefin' there's much to
be done, there's much to be done.
That is the essence of its call.
Eternal evolution that we make restitution
and find the right solution to it all.

The use of music analogy we are all but different variations on the same theme, but no matter how many different variations there are, it's the same old beautiful melody, yet each variation gives greater expression to the song. We must unify to amplify the voice that leads us to a greater understanding of the things we have to do.

All songs composed by Horace Silver
Published by Ecaroh Music Inc/Universal Music Publishing MGB Ltd
Houston Person performs courtesy of Prestige Records

Produced by Francis Wolff and George Butler
Rudy Van Gelder (Recording Engineer)
Original Cover design: Havona
Photography: Guy Terrill

SOUL BROTHER INTRODUCTION

Horace Silver is a name that is synonymous with Blue Note, the Jazz Messengers and Hard Bop. Silver's debut as leader for the iconic label commenced in 1955 with 'Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers' and finished in 1979 with the vocal Silver N Strings Plays The Music Of The Spheres.

He contributed some of Hard Bop finest compositions during his time at the label and was one of Jazz's most prolific composers. Songs like 'Song For My Father', 'Filthy McNasty', 'Doodlin', 'Sister Sadie' 'Tokyo Blues', and 'Senor Blues' are archetypal Silver/Hard Bop tunes. They helped define an era. Silver's piano playing had a distinctive upbeat approach and his rhythms were designed with dancing feet in mind. The popularity of Silver's music endures to this day in part to this inherent optimism. Silver makes Jazz sound fun.

By 1970 when Horace Silver commenced the recording of the three volumes of what became known as the United States Of Mind trilogy, the Hard Bop train had run out of steam. The positive vibe of the Kennedy era had given way to the ugliness of the prolonged Vietnam War and to race riots at home. The world had got downbeat with the ever-present threat of nuclear annihilation around the corner. These were turbulent times.

Even the non-political Silver was influenced by the search for the spiritual and by the rise of the civil rights movement, This influence emerged on 'That Healin Feelin". This first volume of 'United States Of Mind' is not just about consciousness and politics. It is also about physical and mental well being. If you listen to the lyrics of 'Wipe Away The Evil' and 'The Happy Medium', there is a dose of Silver's healthy optimism with a bout of practical self-help mixed in for good measure. Silver even updates his classic 'Peace' with some wonderful lyrics and then there is the beauty of 'Love Vibrations'.

At the time the album was slated — Silver was perceived as letting down his Hard Bop fans that had been brought up on a diet of 'Song For My Father' and 'Sayonara Blues'. 'That Healin Feelin' was also Silver's first recording on electric piano and that was sacrilege in some Jazz circles who were used to his quintet recordings of two/ three horns, piano, drums and upright bass. Some things did not change, however, the horn lines that Silver wrote had that cheery almost cheesy quality that reflected Horace's positive state of mind.

Eight of the nine tracks were vocal and featured Andy Bey, Andy's sister Salome as well as Gail Nelson and on 'Nobody Knows' by Jackie Verdell. The enigmatic Nelson is exceptional on the aforementioned 'Wipe Away The Evil'. Salomie Bey is equally well known for her acting skills, but Andy Bey should need no introduction. His bluesy vocal performance is a feature of 'That Healin Feelin', 'Total Response' and of course his sublime work with Gary Bartz on 'Celestial Bluesy.

'The Healin Feelin' sessions were recorded over two sessions. The first of which comprise the first five tracks was recorded on April 8th 1970 and the four tracks on what became the second side of the vinyl on June 18th 1970. Apart from Silver the only other player present for both dates was trumpeter Randy Brecker. The under-rated George Coleman was in the tenor saxophone chair for the first session and replaced by Houston Person for the second. Long term band members Mickey Roker (drums) and Bob Cranshaw (bass) sat in on the April date, seats taken up by Jimmy Lewis and Soul Jazz drummer Idris Muhammad on the June date.

'The United States Of Mind' trilogy sold poorly at the time falling between two stools — not Bop enough for Horace Silver's traditional fans and not angry or muscular enough for those who revered the Strata East or Tribe labels in the early seventies. 'That Healin Feelin' and 'Total Response' were not fully appreciated until they gained popularity in the London Jazz scene of the late eighties and early nineties, after which Original Vinyl copies became in demand and scarce to find. Listening to them forty years on, this music should be enjoyed and experienced for its own value and not for what it is not or never intended to be.

We are delighted to present 'That Healin Feelin' on CD remastered from the Original masters and presented with the Original Artwork for the first time, in our classic albums series.

Malcolm Prangell - 2012