Story Behind The Song

This tune was conceived in Kentucky while working in Drummer Gary Underwood's music Barn Loft. You can definately here the KY in it. It features, choir, cello, piano, fiddle and african UDU. Sometime later before the tracks were finished I moved from KY to NYC. NY's colors greatly influenced me. I heard a very deep sounding tabla in the Indian district in the East Village and loved it. One of my friend's Jazz Vocalist Karma Martell, advised me to listen to an instrument called the UDU. She thought it might be just what I needed for the track. Her cousin happened to be the world-reknowned potter, Frank Giorgini (check out his book on Amazon). Anyway while he was traveling in the bush of Nigeria on vacation he happened on some primitive potters. They, of course did not know who he was. He inquired about the pots they were making. They were interesting because they had a large hole in the side and top. They reacted somewhat secretively at first, but after some coaxing they told him the pots were actually musical instruments. Christian missionaries had told them their music was pagan and had discouraged their drum making. The drums were onto a path of possible extinction. Thankfully, these potters were keeping the tradition alive. Eventually, Frank brought one of the master potters all the way from the bush in Nigeria to NYC and the potter gave a class of Primitive pottery making at the Parson's School Of Design. Soon after the UDU drum caught on in a fever and the UDU drum company was begun. The UDU drum is a favorite of percussionist world-wide. By the way, Some profits from the UDU drum company go back to that tribe in Nigeria. I thought it was a remarkable story and sound. Luckily, I met master UDU percussionist Brian Melick and he was kind enough to play on this recording. YOU MUST here this brilliant percussionist and the UDU drum. I hope you enjoy it! Love , Peace & Harmony, GARIUS HILL

Song Description

Garius Hill-Piano, Kurzweil MIDI Keyboard which include, fiddle, cello, cathedral organ, choir and synth pads, Gary Underwood-MIDI Drums, Brian Melick - UDU and Percussion