THE JOURNEY
LEAD VOCALS
Lawrence Watson
BACKING VOCALS
Jonathan Royal, Arif Griffin
ADDITIONAL BACKING VOCALS
Nora Campbell (track 2), Kemba Francis (tracks 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11), Athene Wilson (tracks 6, 7, 9), Robin Spears-Da Silva (tracks 4, 6, 7, 8, 11)
VOCAL ARRANGMENTS
Arif Griffin, Jetro Da Silva, Lawrence Watson, Sidney Punter
SAXOPHONE
Pat Loomis (tracks 1, 3, 10), Michael Hamilton (tracks 4, 5, 6)
TRUMPET
Wayne Naus (track 1)
DRUMS
David Speng (track 3), Nicolaz Schuhbeck (tracks 8, 11) Arti Dixson (track 10)
BASS
Tony Vaughn (tracks 1, 2, 10), Kevin Angunas (track 3), Jeff Jones (tracks 8, 11)
GUITARS
Tariqh Akone (tracks 3, 11), Jeff Lockhart (tracks 4, 5)
ACOUSTIC PIANO
Vince Evans (tracks 1, 2, 10), Jetro Da Silva (tracks 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11), Sidney
Punter (track 12), Bruce Flowers (track 3)
SYNTHESIZER ARRANGEMENTS AND PROGRAMMING
Jetro Da Silva (tracks 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11)
Percussion: Ebenezer Da Silva, Ricardo Monzon (track 10)
ALL SONGS ARRANGED BY
Lawrence Watson (tracks 1-11), Sidney Punter (tracks 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
11, 12), Frank Cooper (track 1), Keith Jones (track 2), Jetro Da Silva (track 4)
ALL SONGS RECORDED AT
NewBury Sound Studio, Boston, Massachusetts
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Lawrence Watson
RECORDING AND MASTERING ENGINNER
Steve Revilak
ADDITIONAL ENGINEERING
Jaeo Talbert, Brian MacElroy
PRE-PRODUCTION ENGINEERING
Alexander Schmidt
MIXING ENGINEER
Carl Beatty
ART DIRECTION AND GRAPHIC DESIGN
Ryan Hughes Maguire
COVER PORTRAIT ARTIST
Paul Goodnight
CD PHOTOGRAPHER
Reggie Jackson
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
Lawrence Watson
CREDITS
Stop the Hurting
A mid-tempo funk song composed by Larry Watson and Frank Cooper calls a truce and tells the listener, "Stop the Hurting. Let's learn to love each other, don't turn the joy to tears." A song about romantic love or love of a community. The song says we can live without the pain if we could challenge ourselves to stop the hurting. "It's just you and me!"
A Little Help From Heaven
A contemporary up-tempo funky gospel song characterizing the social problems of the poor: child abuse, hopelessness, television as a form of social control. It acknowledges the power of God and warns us not to question His work. The song speaks to the believer at a point of desperation, sending up a prayer, saying "Lord! We could use a little help from heaven. Help!!!"
I Was Just a Fool
"This Time We're Really Through!": a ballad. A tribute to the great, black balladeer, Lawrence sings the definitive did-me-wrong love song... with a twist! The difference is this kind of song has routinely been sung by the female owning up to how stupid and used she was in the relationship. Men can admit to being vulnerable in the 90s. The song is the new love song because by the end of the story the singer is no longer the victim. "This time it's over. I've gotten a grip so my sweet darling let me give you a tip. I'm Ov-AA you!"
September Love Song
A mid-tempo contemporary song about the seasons of love and the loss of love. The song is a tribute to the vocal gifts of the great Nancy Wilson. The song will also be released in Spanish.
Because of You
The ultimate simple "quiet storm" lovemaking ballad. Larry's own Black ballad. "You bring me up when I'm down. Your eyes are like the pearls beneath the ocean, having your smile brings summer all year through."
I'm On My Way Home
A contemporary gospel ballad that challenges all of us to search and rediscover our pure potentiality, our ability to give of ourselves and forgive, to recognize that every action in life has a reaction. The song tells the listener until we return to love, acknowledge our desires, and detach ourselves from envy, jealousy and anger we will forever be on a journey searching for our purpose in this life, this Journey. "Through the pain and the sorrow, broken dreams, and broken-hearted. I am returning to a place where there is love. I'm Coming Home. Yes, I am no matter what, I'm Coming Home."
Blessed are the Children
Animals have more rights in this country than children. Compelled by the work of Marian Wright Edelman, Larry and Sidney wrote this song and hope that it becomes an anthem for the children's rights movement of the world. "Every child deserves to live a life that's free. Let's create a world of peace and harmony. Each of us must fight the powers we believe destroy young people's hopes and dreams."
God Answers Prayers
The personal testimony of Larry Watson. God's promise is real and he supplies your needs. God is love, peace, truth, light, wisdom, passion, integrity—God is always there. "When you're down and out and can't see your way. I know that my God will not lead you astray. Through my turmoil and all my pain, God was with me from the very start. My God answers prayers."
For the Rest of My Life
We are who we are. We fall in love with who we fall in love with. As we walk into the "light" and truly understand the promise that God, we realize, wants us to experience happiness on this earth. A "retro" pulsing dance tune- the song is about accepting love in your life. Happiness comes with knowing and accepting who you are. "All of my life ... I have denied what I feel... too afraid to act on that which is real... then you came along and showed me something brand new. It's real in my soul and I want you to share my life with you... for the rest of my life."
How Can You Call Yourself a Brother?
A funky James Brown "Super Bad" type of song, it was inspired by the courage of Anita Hill who was vilified by Black women, in particular, who were so used to protecting brothers and tolerating sexual abuse. It was inconceivable for some that a law professor could become a victim of this kind of ordeal. The song was written as a plea to "brothers" to not use the term brother in a cavalier fashion. When Clarence was in a lurch he invoked "modern-day lynching," O.J. went to a Black church and Michael gave an interview to Oprah!. The song took on a new meaning after the Million Man March. It encapsulates the speeches given by every Black man and woman who stood at the podium that day. "What's happened to us? Where have all the good men gone? Proud strong standing kings, afraid of no one. Have we just given up? Was the struggle too tough? Yes, they sold us like beasts and they counted our teeth but we never gave up so let's get out of this rut and stand!"
Better Days
A funky contemporary dance tune which will be the new anthem and will take its place with songs like "I'll Take You There" and "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now." And now you see our children in such pain and you bear the blame for a generation insane. Together we stand against all that's wrong... It's time for you to return to the community... cause I know better days are on the way!"
Blessed Assurance
The only gospel traditional song on the CD. Larry ends the CD, accompanied just by pianist and songwriter, Sidney Punter. The CD completes this journey. "This is my story, This is my song, praising my Savior all day long."