Is It You

You, You, You.

It’s the middle of April and less than a week until my birthday, so I’m feeling a mixture of reflective and hopeful.

Last year, my birthday fell on Earth Day, Record Store Day, and the TCM Classic Film Festival here in L.A. I was also still pretty new in town, so I think I was fearful I would feel homesick and lonely if I had too much down time. So I packed my schedule full of fun things, had a great time, but in the end the day flew by too quickly for some much needed reflection.

This year, I want to allow for lots of stillness. I want to be able to feel the day pass a bit more. I’m craving quiet and time in nature and delicious food and simple moments with my favorite people.

Will report back!

On Repeat.

“Is It You,” (1981) by Lee Ritenour of Los Angeles, CA.

“Someone's just outside, knockin' at my door
A stranger, somebody alone
Someone's in my dreams, can't get off my mind, I'm tired of being alone
Someone's bound to find an easy way inside
Come on, I'm right here at home, right at home.”

This song is so known and loved, I’m sure it’s already a favorite for many of you. A perfect example of an easy cruiser from the Yacht Rock/Soft Rock of that era, this song makes me think of open sunroofs and the crisp evening air at the tail end of a barbecue, right when the light starts to go.

Though Lee Ritenour is widely known as one of the best living American jazz guitarists, he was also skilled at seamlessly weaving in adjacent genres. Talented from an early age, Ritenour had already done session work for The Mamas and Papas, Lena Horne, and Tony Bennett before reaching his eighteenth birthday. He started releasing solo work in 1976 at the age of twenty four.

Lee Ritenour released “Rit” in 1981, which included “Is It You,” cowritten with his bandmates and featuring smooth, earnest vocals sung by his bassist Eric Tagg. We love some male yearning in this house.

In 1991, Ritenour was one of the founding member of Fourplay, a well loved smooth jazz quartet, performing with the group until 1997.

Perhaps because I am wrapping up a full year and beginning to examine a new one, I am particularly drawn to songs about hope, looking to the future, and learning how to remain open.

“If it's you, come out in the open
You don't need to hide your love
If it's you, you know I'm hopin'
'Cause it's way too late to run away
Don't run away from love, my love
Is it you?”

Playlist on the way.

Talk to you next week!

V