Susan Abod’s New Album: What’s Not Wrong
Album published 2018
What They’re Saying:
“Susan Abod is a musician’s singer – she swings! What you notice first is her soulfulness, which she delivers by her mastery of phrasing and nuance. There is an intimacy in her voice that makes you feel like she is singing only to you. Her songs reach across many genres, yet each is filled with her heart, her wit, her truth, and her imagination. She is an original and creative songwriter and singer who invites you into her world to sit down for a great cup of coffee and heart to heart conversation.” Bert Dalton
Jazz pianist, arranger, educator, and producer Bert Dalton, has been living and performing in Santa Fe for 20 years. Bert is one of five recipients of the 2013 Santa Fe Mayor’s Award for Excellence in The Arts. He has performed with Herbie Mann, Anita O’Day, Bud Shank, Butch Miles, Howard Alden, Frank Morgan, Bobby Shew, Eddie Daniels, Regina Carter, Ali Ryerson, Chris Calloway, and the Smothers Brothers. In addition, he has opened for Tito Puente, Pete Escovedo, Grover Washington Jr., Pancho Sanchez, and the Count Basie Orchestra.
“In this exceptional recording, Susan Abod proves that jazz is a feeling. Her original compositions capture the essence of the human spirit – the exuberance as well as the pathos of life. Her voice has a warmth and emotional impact that makes you want to sit back and take it all in. She is one of the most soulful singers you will ever hear. It has been a wonderful experience to be part of this project.” Arlen Asher
Multi-woodwind maestro, Arlen Asher is one of New Mexico’s long-standing jazz luminaries.
And a recipient of the Santa Fe Mayor’s Award for Excellence in The Arts. Arlen worked as an award-winning producer and announcer for KNME-TV, KOB-TV, and KHFM radio, established a private woodwind studio in 1965 and since then has been teaching woodwind fundamentals and jazz improvisation to hundreds of students throughout the US.
Lyrics from What’s Not Wrong?:
What’s Not Wrong? Written by Susan Abod ©℗ Abod Music 2018
All day long I fret and moan
Worrying about money-‘bout being alone
Get to feeling’ so sad and gloomy
I don’t know what to do
It’s all too overwhelming
I haven’t got a clue
When all I hear is bad news
In my head or on TV
Once in a while I remember
A question asked of me
What’s not wrong, right now?
What’s not wrong, right now?
What’s not wrong, right now?
It ain’t so bad
When you see it like that.
Things don’t work out like you planned
People do all kinds of things you don’t understand
Your boss gets demanding or they just towed your car
You want things to be different
Then they are
Bad things happen to good folks
And you ask yourself why
And every day we’re getting older
And then we’re gonna die, but
What’s not wrong, right now? I’m breathing!
What’s not wrong, right now? I’m even singing!
What’s not wrong, right now?
It ain’t so bad
When you see it like that
Hard times come. It’s pretty much guaranteed
It feels like it’s for keeps.
It gets so hard to see.
What do I do when I’m brought to my knees?
I pose this query to change my perception of things.
What’s not wrong, right now? “I’ve got the sun in the morning”
What’s not wrong, right now? “I’ve got the moon at night”
What’s not wrong, right now?
It ain’t so bad
When you see it like that.
What’s not wrong?
What’s not wrong?
What’s not wrong?
It ain’t so bad
When you see it like that
It ain’t so bad when you look at it like that!
Under Santa Fe Skies Written by Susan Abod ©℗ Abod Music 2018
There are clouds forming in the distance
A storm is heading this way
But when I look right above me
The sky is clear
there’s not a trace of gray
The brightest brights
The bluest blues
The darkest nights
The endless views
Here am I
Under Santa Fe Skies
Dreaming’ dreams
Planning plans
Scheming schemes
Will they ever get going?
But I’m doing alright,
Under Santa Fe Skies
There are clouds that look like mountains
With shadows lying low.
There are clouds that look like the ocean
All stretched out, at sunset’s glow.
Singing songs
Driving along
I twenty-five
I’m doing just fine
Under Santa Fe skies
I don’t like being landlocked
These earth tones can get to me
But all I have to do is look up
New Mexico skies change just like the sea
The beauty’s profound without
Making a sound
Ooo, what a sight
Feelin’ alright,
Under Santa Fe Skies
Every evening’s something different
It can take your breath away
Then it can change in an instant
Like Time, it’s here
Then passes away
The beauty’s profound without
Making a sound
Ain’t nothing like
Feeling’ alright,
Under Santa Fe Skies
Could I Be? Written by Susan Abod ©℗ Abod Music 2018
Could I be falling in love with you
While we’ve been so far apart?
What’s happening to me I just don’t know
But I’m thinking ‘bout you more and more
Am I losing my mind?
Or am I just losing my heart, to you.
The things you did that use to grate on my nerves
Now seem to be endearing quirks
What’s happening to me I just don’t know
But I’m thinking ‘bout you more and more
And it feels like I’m losing my mind
Or am I’m just losing my heart?
Cause when I’m singing love songs
It’s your face that I see
And when I’m watching movies
You’re the star of my romantic comedies
Is this all my imagination
¬Can I stop thinking ‘bout you this way?
What’s happening to me I just don’t know
But I’m thinking ‘bout you more and more
Am I losing my mind
Or am I Just losing my heart
Cause when I’m singing love songs
It’s your face that I see
And When I’m watching movies
You’re the star of my romantic comedies
Is this all my imagination
Can I stop thinking ‘bout you this way?
I have to try to get a hold of myself
But I can’t seem to help myself
Am I losing my mind
Or am I Just losing my heart?
Am I losing my mind
Am I really losing my mind
Maybe I’m not losing my mind
But just lost my heart, to you
Ella written by Susan Abod ©℗ Abod Music 2018
There’s just no one like Ella
Her singing was stellar
Swinging it high
Wrap it around—
Then drop down low
With wondrous precision
She’d scat like no one can
First lady of song
Her voice: sweet & silky
But could sound just like Louie
Or like a horn- soloing on
she showed no fear
Wailing at top speed
Be Bop,
Snap, crackle, pop!
Immaculate swing
And when she croons a
Gershwin or Porter tune
I’m just swept away
‘specially when she sings
‘isn’t it a lovely day’
to me it’s perfection
the finest confection
How did she do it?
Like there’s nothing to it
‘bout 2000 songs like
‘How long has this been going on’ or
‘Lullaby of Birdland’ “Angel Eyes”
and Blue Skies
(Mr.) Paganini, teach me tonight.
Did you know that she said “The only thing better than
Singing, is just more singing
And “… don’t give up trying to do what you really want
With love and inspiration,
you can’t go wrong.”
Here’s to lady Ella
As good as one of the fellas
She led Chick’s band
for 3 years and
wrote this song
“A tisket a- tasket
She lost her basket”
And we’re so glad that she did!
Did you know that she said “The only thing better than
Singing, is just more singing.”
And “… don’t give up trying to do what you really want
Where there’s love and inspiration,
you can’t go wrong.”
So, here’s to Lady Ella
As good as one of the fellas
Torch songs ballads and swing
She just had the whole thing
Wow, the woman could sing…
Happiness is a thing called Ella
You’d Look Swell In Nothing
W. Tyson/Susan Abod
Did you issue an invitation?
Or is it just my imagination
Are you inviting me?
Or simply exciting me
Won’t you enlighten me?
Cause you’d look swell in nothing
Nothing would look well on you
There is no designer
Who could clothe you finer
You’d look more diviner
In your own original you’re strictly unforgivable
On the Riviera or hiking in the High Sierras even if you meet a bear or a Caribou
They’ll lie down before you
Simply adore you
If they come upon you in the nude
So wear nothing simply nothing
Cause nothing look swell on you
On the Riviera or hiking in the High Sierras even if you meet a bear or a Caribou
They’ll lie down before you
Simply adore you
If they come upon you in the nude
So wear nothing simply nothing
Cause nothing look swell on you
In the Stillness Written by Susan Abod ©℗ Abod Music 2018
In the stillness of the evening
As I watch the moon rise in a twilight sky
The wind whispers,
My heart quivers
At the tenderness, I feel inside
But the longing, the yearning
To feel a love so deep and wide
Can this still happen to me?
I wonder as the stars come out tonight
Loving is the one thing that
Really only matters in the world
And we all want that one thing-
To love someone and be loved in return
In the stillness, I can remember
All the love that I have felt throughout my life
So, I know love lives here, here in my own heart
And will be here thru the dark ‘til morning’s light
Loving is the one thing that
Really only matters in the world
And we all want that one thing-
To love someone and be loved in return
In the stillness of the evening
In the stillness of the evening
Homesong Written by Susan Abod ©℗ Abod Music 2018
For documentary: Homesick: Living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
I have become a stranger
In a world where I used to belong
Within these walls lies a danger
And I know I’ve got to move on
I know I’ve got to move on
Where is my home
Where on earth is my home
Is there a home for me?
A safe place to nest
Maybe away from the rest
Where the air is nothing but clean
I woke up so weary this morning
Knowing what’s waiting for me
I hope I can read all the warnings
To find the home that I need
To find the refuge seek
Where is my home
Where on earth is my home
Is there a home for me?
A safe place to nest
Away from the rest
Where the air is nothing but clean
In my mind, I can see it
In my heart, it is there
But many still don’t believe that
This is happening everywhere
Where is my home
Where on earth is my home
Is there a home for me?
A safe place to nest
Away from the rest
Where the air is nothing but clean
Solo
In my mind, I can see it
In my heart, it is there
But many still don’t believe that
This is happening everywhere
Where is my home
Where on earth is my home
Is there a home for me?
A safe place to nest
Away from the rest
Where the air is nothing but clean
Where my body’s at ease
And my mind is at peace
Where the air is nothing but clean
Tender Moments Written by Susan Abod©℗ Abod Music 2018
It’s the tender moments of living
That makes happiness real
Not just always reaching for things
But maybe just how you feel
Like on a sunny fall day
When the sharp winds
Can clear all the dark thoughts away
And make you aware of the trees
And to let your mind fly
Cause you have a freedom
Which fills the heights of the sky
When you’re alone in your thoughts
any time of day
Just remember the sky’s always there
Waiting for you to wake
To be aware of the trees
Cause you have a freedom
Which fills the heights of the sky
The heights of the sky
The heights of the sky
The heights of the sky etc.
Joanie’s Song by Susan Abod©℗ Abod Music 2018
If I had a penny
For every time you leave
I’d save up all my money and
Fly you back to me
Come back C’mon back
Come right back to me
Come back C’mon back
Come right back to me
If I had the power
To change your circumstance
You’d be here in an hour
Then leave the rest to chance
Come back C’mon back
Come right back to me
Come back C’mon back
Come right back to me
Every time you go
I always get that empty feeling
Every time you leave, I’m
Hanging on your sleeve, I’m
Begging you to hurry and
Come back C’mon back
Come right back to me
Come back C’mon back
Come right back to me
(Solo)
If I had a penny
For every time you leave
I’d save up all my money and
Fly you back to me
Come back C’mon back
Come right back to me
Come back C’mon back
Come right back
Come right back
Come right back
To me
I’m Tired by Susan Abod©℗ Abod Music 2018
I’m too tired for this
Too tired for that
I’m so damn tired
I don’t know where I’m at
Tired when I wake up
Tired when I come home
Tired to my ankles
Down to my bones
Tired to each split end
And down to my shoes
Maybe I’m too tired to
Finish singing’ these blues
I’m tired, so tired
I’m tired of feeling’ tired
They call it chronic
They don’t have a cure
I’m feeling catatonic
I’m on one hell of a detour
I got a lot to do
To make ends meet
Lord help me get through
this major league fatigue
My mind’s gettin’ fuzzy now
Say, what just transpired
I can’t remember now
I’m too damn tired.
I’m tired so tired
So tired of being tired
Spoken Tag:
I’m wiped
Just Slammed
Like Fried
….I’m toast
