Johnny J. Blair "Singer at Large" - One Wonderful Smile (Fire version)

from HALFWAY TO DAKOTA (limited edition EP) by Johnny J Blair w/Davy Jones, Mike Garson, Prairie Prince, Chris von Sneidern

supported by
yaayjohnnyjblair
yaayjohnnyjblair thumbnail
/

about

The power of a smile is, at least for me, a mysterious force—hard to define yet it’s universal. People talk about how “a perfect smile” got them through a job interview or defrosted an argument or led to a dream date. There’s the phrase “God smiled down that day.” King Solomon wrote, ““A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” + “A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.” Ultimately a smile is a light that comes from the heart—a constant work in progress. I wrote this song about the wonders of a smile.

This could be a commercial for the dental industry, but the title was actually inspired by SMILE-era Beach Boys. It came about on a Saturday night after a stressful, painful week. I’d just finishing opening for a punk band at a theatre in California. I was upstairs sitting in contemplation. With my eyes closed, faces of people who’d encouraged me came into my vision and I quickly wrote this song (despite the din downstairs). I’ve recorded this song 3 times in different ways--the one you're playing now is the definitive, full electric version issued on my FIRE album. On a cosmic jukebox it would play between Leo Kottke, Sting, and Dennis Wilson.

The image shown is 1919 self-portrait of Suzanne Valadon entitled Victoirine ou la Tigresse. She's gone down in history for her long-term and tempestuous romantic relationship with Erik Satie (it was his only serious romantic relationship in his life), but in painting circles she is known better as a painter, teacher, and painter's model--famously for Renoir.

#smile #wonderful #smiling #God #KingSolomon #Proverbs #heart #glad #happy #dentist #dental #beachboys #leokottke #denniswilson #sting #johnnyjblair #singeratlarge #acoustic #intimate #treadmarks

credits

from HALFWAY TO DAKOTA (limited edition EP), released January 29, 2013
JJB: bass, drum program, guitar, keyboards, percussion, production, & all vocals
Tim Breon: mixing

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Johnny J Blair "Singer at Large" image

Johnny J Blair "Singer at Large" San Francisco, California

"Johnny is a virtuoso"--Brian Wilson
"Pop music with a conscience.”--Goldmine
“the Harry Houdini of rock and roll.”-- Spotlight. Listen to Johnny's fast-paced mix of old school soul, psychedelia, punk/new wave, & classic pop/rock. Singer-songwriter in his own right, he was also a sideman for Davy Jones and The Monkees + performed with David Cassidy, Al Stewart, Buddy & Julie Miller, & others. ... more

contact / help

Contact Johnny J Blair "Singer at Large"

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Report this track or account

Johnny J Blair "Singer at Large" recommends:

If you like One Wonderful Smile (Fire version), you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featured guests are the golden-voiced Baby Rose and psyche soulsters Brainstory.
listen now