from HURRICANE
Written by Eric Benet & Dean Parks
Eric Benet’s 2005 Hurricane cd was a very personal and interesting project. Hurricane saw the R&B singer/songwriter moving away from the contemporary neo-soul sounds of his previous works in favor of a sophisticated musical landscape influenced by icons of the ’70s like Kenny Loggins, Bill Withers and Christopher Cross. On Hurricane, Benet delivered bittersweet love themes with deep, introspective lyrics, especially on the five tracks helmed by David Foster and Humberto Gatica. One of these tunes was “Man Enough To Cry.”
Co-written by the singer with legendary guitarist Dean Parks, “Man Enough To Cry” was a tender, acoustic ballad where Benet wore his heart on his sleeve. The stripped-down instrumental track was based on Parks’ beautiful guitar playing joined by Nathan East on bass and Vinnie Colaiuta on drums. There’s also a warm string section that enriched the atmosphere directed by famous arranger David Campbell who worked on seminal albums by Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Carole King and many others. On this piece, Benet’s tenor demonstrates all its nuances, giving a heartfelt performance by often going into a falsetto while singing all the delicate backing harmonies. The production by Foster and Gatica was the usual top-notch affair that had echoes of their classic hit productions of the late seventies and early eighties.
We have asked the Hitman about his work with Benet and here’s what he wrote about it:
“I loved working on Hurricane and really loved working with Eric. He’s an incredible singer and a gifted musician who deeply understands chord structure and composition even though he doesn’t play an instrument.”
For those interested in the archives section of this website, there are past reviews of another couple of wonderful songs from Hurricane, “The Last Time” and the title-track. Both were co-written by Benet and Foster (“The Last Time” also with Amy Foster-Gillis) and both are must-listen material.
Listen
- Lead and Backing Vocals: Eric Benet
- Bass: Nathan East
- Acoustic Guitar: Dean Parks
- Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta
- Strings Arranged by David Campbell
- Produced by David Foster & Humberto Gatica
- Co-Produced by Eric Benet
Lyrics
I always loved, I always cared
But there was a part of me that wasn’t always there
But then you loved enough to stay
And so I found the self I lost along the way
So no more words I’m holding back that I should say
And I won’t hurt inside and tell you I’m okay
And every breath of love between us will be pure and true
‘Cause now I’m man enough to cry
With you
The lights were off, the doors were closed
So how you found this love in me only heaven knows
Thnak God and you who brought me here
An open man found just in time for the living years
So no more words I’m holding back that I should say
And I won’t hurt inside and tell you I’m okay
And every breath of love between us will be pure and true
‘Cause now I’m man enough to cry
With you
Feels like waves of my love breaking through
Now I can lay down and share me with you
I won’t hold out I know now this life only lasts a while
So I’ll love leaving non to hide from you
So no more words I’m holding back that I should say
And I won’t hurt inside and tell you I’m okay
And every breath of love between us will be pure and true
‘Cause now I’m man enough to cry
So no more words I’m holding back that I should say
And I won’t hurt inside and tell you I’m okay
And every breath of love between us will be pure and true
‘Cause now I’m man enough to cry
With you