Robert LAMM

Living Proof

(2011)

1. Out Of The Blue * 3'32
(Trent Gardner / Robert Lamm)
The music and melody were developed over the internet with Trent Gardner, whose very fertile creativity knows no bounds. All he had to start with was the lyric I sent and a suggestion and playlist of electronica tracks I have enjoyed. His funky modern alt-rock track fit perfectly. I was thinking a lot during this period about Terry Kath and Carl Wilson. Carl would tilt his head when listening to playbacks in studio. Terry had strong, beautiful hands, and was the ultimate creative force. I tend to be a man of few words, depending on other forms of communication. I suspect that when one is quiet, it allows non verbal information to 'get through'. Out of the Blue.
©2012 SOUL OF THE SASQUATCH (BMI) / BLUE INFINITY MUSIC (ASCAP)
2. Arise (Storm) 4'01
(Zosia Karbowiak / Robert Lamm )
Prior to relocating to new york city in october 1991,1 had struggled to fully engage my song writing, but once i settled in, it started to flow. the resulting group of songs appeared on "chicago 22 (stone of sisyphus)", "in my head (too many voices)" and the arrangements i did for chicago's "night and day'" album and "chicago 25" "arise (storm)" remained unfinished until this year. it was the second song idea i sent to zosia. i re-structured and "re-grooved" it and sent a demo track to zosia, who wrote the melody, sang the vocal parts. she told her story in the first draft of the lyric (typically of her, virtually overnight!) we tweaked the lyrics, and with mr. linderman, cut a new track.
©2012 ZOSIA MUSIC (KODA) / BLUE INFINITY MUSIC (ASCAP)
3. Bells 2'58
(Robert Lamm)
I was i the middle of a life-changing 6 month hiatus, when i finished this song, started in 1981. it was the fall of 2010, i was relaxed, stimulated and joyous. Pretty regularly, in interviews, i'm asked something like " any idea how much longer chicago will continue to be active?" or " have you ever thought of retiring or doing something else?" so i was looking at all the good fortune i've had, all i had accomplished, and all i still wanted to do in music and in life, beyond the band.
©2012 BLUE INFINITY MUSIC (ASCAP)
4. On The Equinox 3'04
(Robert Lamm)
This a nutty song that has lyric ideas that go back to experiences i had as a teenager in brooklyn, and later in northern california in my 20's. i am libra, a man in perpetual search of balance in all things around me. The vocal approach was to sing gruffly, but at my lowest volume. when i recorded my sketch, there was a newborn baby living one floor below, my studio window sharing the atrium with his. it gave me a nice world-weary feeling. an early and much different version of this song was submitted (and rejected) for chicago 16.
©2012 BLUE INFINITY MUSIC (ASCAP)
5. Those Crazy Things (duet with Zosia) 3'08
(Zosia Karbowiak / Robert Lamm)
The original version of "Those Crazy Things" was a puny R&B ballad ("I Need a Lover") that I was stuck with. I had recorded it in 1980 with Danny Kortchmar, Mike Finnigan, Marty Grebb, Doug Nelson, and Russ Kunkle. Even they couldn't make it a good song. I put it away with other dead ideas, in a file folder with a fat rubberband in the very rear of the cabinet, in a dark and lonely storage facilty. When I assembled a writing space in California in 2002, I went thru every drawer, box, tape, cassette, CD, and SCRAP OF PAPER, AND TRASHED ANYTHING I WASN'T GOING FORWARD WITH. JUST TO CLEAR THE DECKS SO I COULD MOVE ON. I PROCEEDED TO WRITE THE ALL SONGS FOR "SUBTLETY & PASSION". I WAS USING AN ENSONIQ TS -1 2 WORKSTATION, AND IN THE PROCESS EDITED AND SAVED A DIFFERENT VERSION OF OF THE OLD BALLAD IDEA. I CALLED IT 'SlMPLE IDEA". Jump to 2009, when I rediscovered "Simple" and worked into the old sequence using GarageBand. I was sending song ideas òî writers (Peter Cetera, Marcos Valle ) whose work I enjoyed, and remembered Zosia, who was busy with her life. She sent back a good, quick sketch, which I liked immediately, but had no time to work on it until 2010. Ironically, her lyric idea reminded me of how it was when joy and i found each other.
©2012 ZOSIA MUSIC (KODA) / BLUE INFINITY MUSIC (ASCAP)
6. Keep The Faith ** 3'32
(Hank Underman / Robert Lamm)
Hank started this song, really had the shape of the verse and chorus, music wise. The tough groove was perfect. And his first verse lyric set the tone of foreboding ... the inevitable point at which we must be brave, finding strength in spiritual i nspiration. the subsequent verses and bridge came from my perpetual demons. i love this song. i need a t-shirt with "keep the faith".
©2012 HANK LINDERMAN MUSIC (BMI) / BLUE INFINITY MUSIC (ASCAP)
7. Living Proof * 4'19
(Trent Gardner / Robert Lamm)
1 of 2 songs Trent Gardner and I collaborated on. We met online and I found Trent's joy of music and wealth of creative ideas inspiring. working thru emails and mp3 files, we tweaked my basic harmonic grid as trent played and programmed most instruments. early 2009 we were ready to meet and record. hls cool melody and beautiful lyrics were awesome to sing.
©2009 'SOUL OF THE SASQUATCH (BMI) / BLUE INFINITY MUSIC (ASCAP)
8. I Confess 3'41
(Hank Linderman / Robert Lamm)
I love the song ideas Hank Linderman creates, using keyboard, rather than guitar. (He is a brilliant guitarist and singer]. He always invents keyboard riffs I would never have thought of... "I Confess" lyrically, was quite cathartic for me ... òî be open about what's in my heart most every moment. The vignettes ARE TAKEN FROM MANY DIFFERENT POINTS IN MY LIFE. SOME LINES MEAN EXACTLY WHAT THEY SAY, SOME LINES, WELL, ... ONLY I CAN KNOW WHAT THEY MEAN ... THEY ARE THERE FOR THE IMAGES THEY MAY PROJECT OR OCCASIONALLY SIMPLY FOR THE SOUND AND RHYTHM OF THE WORDS. I SUBMITTED THIS SONG FOR CHICAGO XXX, AND I BELIEVED IN IT FOR THE BAND. PRODUCER JAY DeMaRCUS DIDN'T FEEL IT. When I played an early mix of the album for my friends while on the bus this past summer, touring Europe, this song generated GREAT POSITIVE COMMENTS.
©2005 HANK LINDERMAN MUSIC (BMI) / BLUE INFINITY MUSIC (ASCAP)
9. Liquid Sky (feat. Zosia) (bonus track) 4'36
(Zosia Karbowiak / Robert Lamm )
This song is the 3rd collaboration with z. i originally had the music, track, loops, but no melody or lyric. Z got the melody, the harmonies and the lyric story done, overnight! via internet.
©2012 ZOSIA MUSIC (KODA) / BLUE INFINITY MUSIC (ASCAP)
10. On The Equinox (JVE remix) (bound track) 3'52
(Robert Lamm)
©2012 BLUE INFINITY MUSIC (ASCAP)

Total Time: 36:43

  • Robert Lamm - Keyboards, Drums, Bass, Orchestral Arrangements, Vocals
  • Hank Linderman - Guitars, Backing Vocals,
  • Zosia - Vocals, Recording
  • * Trent Gardner - Keyboards, Trombones, Backing Vocals
  • * Robert Berry - Bass, Drums, Recording
  • * Jason Scheff - Backing Vocals at SOUND OF THE SASQUATCH, Vacaville, Ca and SOUNDTEK, San Jose, Ca and SOUND KITCHEN, Franklin, TN
  • ** Drew Hester - Drum Accents on "Keep The Faith"
  • John Van Eps - On "The Equinox Remix" all Instruments
  • Jeff Holmes - Trumpet

    Produced by Robert Lamm and Trent Gardner *
    Recording, Mixing and Production byHank Linderman at     PARSONS GREEN, Culver City, ca
    Art Direction by Bobby Woods
    Cover Collage by Robert Lamm
    About Track by Robert Lamm

    Kind Thanks To Bill Burns, Peter Schivarelli, Koji Toyoda, Tom Andre

    Lyrics.. Photos.. .community.. .please Visit www.robertlammsolo.com




    1. Out Of The Blue

      There's a fire in your soul, burning
      Its a picture, it's a song
      In creating there is learning
      What you knew all along

      Still, a noble question lingers
      Is it right or is it wrong?
      In you're head, your heart, your fingers
      Presence of your absence is so strong
      Everyone's obsessed with talking everywhere
      Useless conversation in the air

      Out of the blue
      I heard a whisper
      I thought it was you
      Can't believe how
      It's you calling me now
      Out of the blue

      A cosmic message light is blinking
      Tilt my ear and turn my head
      I always wonder what you're thinking
      I hear music instead
      Everyone's obsessed with talking everywhere
      Oh! out of the blue
      Out of the blue

      All we are seeing
      And all that we know
      Is all ancient dreaming
      From when we were here long ago
      I thought it was you
      I can't believe how
      It's you calling me now

    2. Arise (Storm)

      I can't believe my eyes
      I'm Walking On The Water
      Today I got two wings, I'm gonna chase the wind
      There's so much love around
      So many joyful sounds
      I take a bow, it's so allowed
      To cherish precious time...

      Now we try to realize
      How much love we have inside
      We can stand and stare but today we shall arise

      Sing as loud as you can
      Walk on the water like I walk today
      You will shine like a star
      The whole world will listen what You've got to say

      I used to live in fear
      For years each day would kill me
      Then I just said, "stop, surrender to the love"

      Now we try to realize
      How much love we have inside
      We can stand and stare but today we shall arise

      Sing as loud as you can
      Walk on the water like I walk today
      You will shine like a star
      The whole world will listen what You've got to say
      it's alright, it's OK
      don't be afraid, as long as I'm here You are safe.

      Sing as loud as you can
      Walk on the water like I walk today
      You will shine like a star
      The whole world will listen what You've got to say
      it's alright, it's OK
      And let the sunshine chase the storm away

    3. 4 Bells

      Four bells chime soft
      In a silent house
      Empty, but for one blue âñ
      Just waiting

      Four bells chime soft
      It's all blues tonight
      Something ends something begins
      I'm waiting

      Cold empty heart
      But i know it's my world
      Taking the time to say goodbye

      Four bells chime soft
      Never young again
      in the furious moonlighht
      I'm waiting

      Cold empty heart
      But i know it's my world
      Taking the time to say goodbye

      Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
      I think it's a better time to go
      Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

      Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
      Don't know when i'll see you again
      Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
      Something like i've got to go
      goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

      Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
      Really tryin' to say goodbye
      goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
      Bye bye baby

    4. On The Equinox

      One day on the equinox
      I found myself standing on the edge
      Summer went too fast and it was too late

      So sweet on the equinox
      Always was that way to me
      All the lazy nights of secret pleasures

      One night on the equinox
      You knew it's was too good to last
      Magic just for us and ain't we lucky?

      One day on the equinox
      One day on the equinox

      Bridge:
      Spring arrives in it's own sweet time
      Winter always wearing out its welcome
      Re-entry into atmosphere may bring some pain
      And thrills to last a lifetime
      On the equinox

      One day on the equinox
      In every quarter of the world
      Day and nightime equal down to the moment

      This day on the equinox
      The sun appears still in the sky
      Secret just for us and ain't we lucky

      One day on the equinox
      Making friends you'll never see again
      Good people, faces, justin the moment

      One day on the equinox
      One day on the equinox

    5. Those Crazy Things

      I'm not the kind of woman
      Who's gonna make you be
      Altho' i feel i'm your destiny
      Maybe i'm acting crazy
      Maybe i've lost my mind
      But i've decided to spend the night

      i am the sort of fella'
      Who's always on the move
      With nothing left that i need to prove
      I'm runnin short of time now
      I'm running for my life
      And i've decided to spend the night

      with you
      Make love with you
      Dream a little dream with you
      Do those crazy things with you

      we fell so hard so quickly
      We didn't stand no chance
      We found our fate written in the wind
      We still recall the day that
      We saw each others' face
      So we decided to spend the night

      I've been climbing highest mountains
      I've been swimming widest seas to find you
      Now i pray everyday
      To build my dreams with you

      with you
      Make love with you
      Dream a little dream with you
      Do those crazy things with you

    6. Keep The Faith

      Caught in a dream in the middle of the night
      I tried so hard to wake
      Couldn't get away from the boogie man
      He matched each step i'd take

      Heard a voice like a whispered kiss
      Floating' inside my head
      Angels led me back to the light
      These simple words they said:

      Keep the faith, don't look back
      Keep the faith, don't look back
      Keep the faith, don't look back
      Keep the faith

      Feel a rush like there's gonna be a fight
      The past is still the past
      Wouldn't take a leap from a movin' train
      And i need to savvy fast

      Freedom comes when i feel the flow
      I finally got the news
      Belated gift from a complex god
      Don't matter which path i choose

      Keep the faith, don't look back
      Keep the faith, don't look back
      Keep the faith, don't look back
      Keep the faith

      Keep the faith, when the midnight comes
      When the midnight comes, keep the faith

      Keep the faith, when the bill comes due
      When the bill comes due, keep the faith
      When the bill comes due
      When the bill comes due

    7. Living Proof

      how on earth did i find you?
      My paradise
      a minute later and i'm gone
      a different man
      i could see the worst in everyone
      a cynic, that's for sure
      Mysteries that I'll never know

      You are living proof of a perfect love
      Far beyond this world
      Darling, your light has saved me
      But this change will take time

      When the house was just us two
      So quiet - we missed the kids
      Mysteries that I'll never know

      You are living proof of a perfect love
      Far beyond this world
      Darling, your light has saved me
      But this change will take time

      Then you smiled
      And it got me thinking 'bout everything
      How it felt when we weren't sad like this
      Love was still so real
      All those memories came flooding back
      It was living proof
      Living proof...
      Mysteries that I'll never know
      You are living proof of a perfect love
      Far beyond this world
      Darling, your light has saved me
      But this change will take tim
      Living proof
      When I feel this passion everyday You're more beautiful
      You're more beautiful
      Intense emotions alive
      My heart is yours
      Forever keep this song as a living proof

    8. I Confess

      I love the song ideas Hank Linderman creates, using keyboard, rather than guitar. (He is a brilliant guitarist and singer].
      He always invents keyboard riffs I would never have thought of...
      "I Confess" lyrically, was quite cathartic for me ... òî be open about what's in my heart most every moment. The vignettes
      ARE TAKEN FROM MANY DIFFERENT POINTS IN MY LIFE. SOME LINES MEAN EXACTLY WHAT THEY SAY, SOME LINES, WELL, ... ONLY I CAN KNOW WHAT THEY MEAN ... THEY ARE THERE FOR THE IMAGES THEY MAY PROJECT OR OCCASIONALLY SIMPLY FOR THE SOUND AND RHYTHM OF THE WORDS. I SUBMITTED THIS SONG FOR CHICAGO XXX, AND I BELIEVED IN IT FOR THE BAND. PRODUCER JAY DeMaRCUS DIDN'T FEEL IT.
      When I played an early mix of the album for my friends while on the bus this past summer, touring Europe, this song generated
      GREAT POSITIVE COMMENTS.

      Always think of vegas when i pour
      My coffee just before
      A song called "je t'adore"
      1lays inside my head

      Gives me peace to hear the crashing sea
      My digital says three
      I realize i'm free
      This is probably good

      I confess
      I see the magic in ev'ry day now
      I confess
      I have been guilty of just lookin' away
      I confess
      The miracle comes of how to say this:
      I confess
      I confess i love a dreamers way

      Redeye rises in a cold black sky
      My angels stay behind
      The heart, it never lies
      Lonliness is the proof

      I confess
      I see the magic in ev'ry day now
      I confess
      I have been guilty of just lookin' away
      I confess
      The miracle comes of how to say this:
      I confess
      I confess i love a dreamers way

      I confess
      I feel a spirit standing beside me
      I confess
      I just can't sleep unless i feel your touch
      I confess
      A full moon rising, i miss my children
      I confess
      I confess i live a dreamers way

      So the world seems quiet tonight
      What tomorrow knows we wonder
      This heart is gonna be alright

    9. Liquid Sky

      Verse: 1
      Pen and paper on my desk
      i want to write some words
      i got an empty head and nothing's coming out, no way
      Still miss your voice and touch
      It's decided
      i will pack my bags, clean the room, and book the flight
      (Yeah I'm coming home tonight)

      Verse :2
      It's 4 a.m. in Maine,
      I need to catch my plane
      Directly to your arms and in a hurry - up, ba-by
      Don't need a map no more
      I am guided
      With a photograph, bunch of keys, and letters

      Can't remember words we said that made us drift away

      chorus:
      I'll be there (I'll be there)
      To watch the falling stars (watch the falling stars)
      I'll be there (I'll be there)
      To see the liquid sky (to see the liquid sky)

      verse: 3
      I want a rush hour taxi
      I want a lot of things
      But you are all I need, and now I realize it, ba-bay
      It feels like wasted time
      I won't fight it
      Cause I'm all about, who we are, together

      i will chase the sun, and catch you near the end of the day!

      chorus:
      I'll be there (I'll be there)
      To watch the falling stars (watch the falling stars)
      I'll be there (I'll be there)
      To see the liquid sky (to see the liquid sky)

      bridge:
      When I touch the ground
      I WILL LEAVE THE PLANE
      And I will run òî you
      Through the hazy park,
      Farmers boulevard,
      Hollis Avenue
      Then I'll see you're home, and you all alone
      With a long lost smile on your face
      just waiting for me...