From FUNK IN A MASON JAR
Written by Harvey Mason & Sally Mason
Harvey Mason Sr. is one of the drum legends of the American soul/jazz scene in the last fifty years. His refined and distinctive playing graces literally hundreds of recordings by a who’s who of artists including Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea (1941-2021), Kenny Loggins, George Benson, Lee Ritenour, Miles Davis (1926-1991), John Legend, Larry Carlton, Carole King, Bob James and so many others.
In the early nineties, drummer Mason along with guitar great Lee Ritenour, keyboard legend Bob James and phenomenal bassist Nathan East formed the contemporary jazz supergroup Fourplay. The group has so far released fourteen cds with great success and critical acclaim.
Through the years, this remarkable drummer also delivered a string of solo records and, on a couple of occasions, David Foster was among the musicians booked on the sessions. Foster appeared on Mason’s 1977 Funk In A Mason Jar album and its 1979 follow-up, Groovin’ You. On both records, the imminent Hitman played some killer piano and keyboards, but Foster also co-wrote a couple of funky numbers and did some arranging. One of those Mason/Foster co-writes was “Till You Take My Love” which quickly became a club staple. “Till You Take My Love” was reviewed some time ago and can be read in the archives.
This week, the focus is on a soulful mid-tempo from Funk In A Mason Jar called “Freedom Either Way.”
An original by Mason with lyrics by then-wife Sally Mason, “Freedom Either Way” was an elegant composition that could easily be heard on a classic Quincy Jones album in the seventies. The world-class rhythm section included Mason, Foster on piano, the great Louis Johnson (1955-2015) of the Brothers Johnson on bass, Steve Forman on percussion and Jay Graydon on guitar. “Freedom Either Way” was an example of sophisticated soul completely infused in a jazzy arrangement. The legendary Seawind Horns embellished the instrumental track with their trademark sounds arranged by saxman Larry Williams while Jerry Hey delivered some delicious trumpet solo licks. Mason’s vocals weren’t killer, but served the song well. The overall result was total ear-candy.
The charm of “Freedom Either Way” attracted the great Dave Grusin’s attention. Grusin eventually recorded a beautiful instrumental version of “Freedom Either Way” on his 1982 Mountain Dance album.
Listen
- Lead Vocals, Drums, Congas & Percussion: Harvey Mason
- Piano: David Foster
- Bass: Luis Johnson
- Guitar: Jay Graydon
- Percussion: Steve Forman
- Seawind Horns: Jerry Hey, Larry Williams & Kim Hutchcroft
- Rhythm Arranged by Harvey Mason
- Horns Arranged by Larry Williams
- Produced by Harvey Mason
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
You are free, yeah, you don’t belong to me
Be what you have to be, just remember I still love you
I don’t want you to go, no
I really, really you want to stay
But only if you want to be here with me
[Chorus]
Freedom either way, freedom
That’s the only way I’ll take your lovin’
Freedom either way, yeah, freedom
That’s the only way I’ll take your lovin
[Verse 2]
If you decide to stay, I want it to be on your own
Knowing that you’re free to choose your stay
Either way, it’s not because I don’t care
I really love havin’ you there
I want what’s best for you, either way
[Chorus]
Freedom еither way, freedom
That’s the only way I’ll take your lovin’
Freedom еither way, yeah, freedom
That’s the only way I’ll take your lovin’
Yeah-yeah-yeah, ha…
Freedom either way, yeah, freedom
That’s the only way I’ll take your lovin’
Freedom either way, yeah, freedom
That’s the only way I’ll take your lovin’
Yeah, ha-ha-ha…