|
My Personal Greetings To You!
Welcome:
John
Sussewell (a/k/a "Suss!):
Grammy,
Dove, & Stellar Awards nominated:
Drummer,
Producer,
Record Label Exec.
and duly ordained Christian
minister (servant):
...just an up-front advocate
for equity
in this troubled world!
All of
this seems like an oxymoron in today's world, doesn't it?
Well,
take heart: ... there is hope for all of us ALL, so long as you hold
onto it (us) in all truth, compassion and wisdom!
In the
meantime, I choose to highlight the following track which remains
one of my favorite Gospel tunes with studio cats out of Atlanta,
New York
City and Los Angeles shortly after I moved to Atlanta, Georgia
(USA). Candi and I were pioneers on the music front back in 1982
when most gospel music was southern quartets and choirs. But
then there was contemporary Christian music which denotes the divide
back then of some reconciling their roots when using the label
"gospel." With music in flow, their was no genre termed
"gospel" until an African American dubbed it so with "Precious
Lord." Thomas Dorsey was inspired to do this, without the
sycophant subtleties which any art form metabolizes into. No
argument: these are the facts.
http://www.johnsussewell.com/HaveYouTriedGod.mp3
Written by
Candi Staton, and produced by (and played on with me back in 1986),
it was nominated for a Grammy Award by the National Academy of
Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS). There are no losers there -
nor are any of us losers since we all have something special to
bring to the table. If only others would famish themselves upon
themselves before coming to a common table where everyone
eats.
The famed
McCrarys provided the smooth background vocals and this tune
was acclaimed in Billboard & Cashbox magazines, as well as other
music industry trade publications and broadcast media - to say very
little about it's astronomical sales at the counters for 'gospel'
music back in the '80's!
Thom Kidd
(Atlanta, GA) did the great audio engineering and there was a host
of musical peers on their instruments that performed along side:
(Randy Harper (keyboards), Norbert Sloley (bass), Phil Hamilton
(lead guitar), etc.).
# #
#
For those who
know me personally, face to face, I wish to share that a tremendous
bass player (Rick Taylor) and I have been able to touch base
together again. It's taken since 1978 since I've spoken with this
man. we performed together on stage many times - and though he likes
to credit me with stuff, I give him more than he can ever say to me
musically. Rick... you should know as much as I do what it meant to
look for Danny Lattuca and David White (members of the "Albatross"
band out of NYC). "Bonnie's Gorilla" (which you wrote), is still on
my mind.
# #
#
When the mores
of life seem mundane, then kindly exercise spiritual Faith toward
the benefit of ALL in the Name of the most loving God and our
Creator(!): "Jehovah God"
through His Son: Christ Jesus! They are preeminent above all, most
certainly ourselves. I personally respect all Faiths, yet there are
not many paths to the One! And I'm a drummer within the Arts, while
keeping and paying attention to "time."
And I'm NOT religious when relationship is Most
Important. Politics (and democratic elections) can be devisive when
left to hands of purpose and pursuits among improper contexts (such
as what media cleverly baits these daze). The right context is
dignity and respect for all who have breath. Haven't we learned
enough already? Hopefully so when many on this planet have yet to
eat a scrap of bread when all is
plentiful.
# # #
This site is for information only - not for
e-commerce. Though only partially configured, you'll find
quite a bit of information and stuff to listen to. I update
from time to time simply to stay abreast and not sell
anything.
Such is Free, lest I be
misunderstood.
Thank you for your patience,
while you drill
through my Site in its' present state!
In fact,
just listen to my music instead of reading all of this stuff!
LOL!
# # #
December
20, 2009
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
The last seven-ten years have been most interesting for me
and I’m poised for yet another marked change of
Jubilee with Release! I journal simply because I’m
on a journey, as we All are.
I’m sure when examining self, each will take stock in the
fact that no one can do anything of benefit toward another unless
each individual acknowledges ‘every’ other when taking stock in
themselves. This is why
I should not be confused with narcissism.
This Season, I can only dwell upon the positive
contributions others have made to my life. By the Grace of a God Who
Lives, I’m well and expect great things for 2010. I’ve Sussed out that it all
comes down to a personal (and principled) attitude that I repeat
here because we all tend to lose track of this. In my outlook, I adhere to
Faith that works by Love (Galatians 5:6), instead of pretending to
be politically correct for those who don’t believe in anything or
anyone beyond themselves – yet want to impose their secularism onto
those who simply down-right Know Better.
I do Know Better – what’ more I know my Savior: the
Greatest Man Who Ever Lived. I must, and will continue to do
so, because of the Goodness, Grace and Gargantuan experiences
(opportunities) I’ve been afforded over my 60+ years with
Evidence. I trust in my
daily Worship that I’m making the most of every singular lesson I’ve
learned while alive – and that by paying forward toward the benefit
of someone else I’ve benefited along the Way. Jesus is more than an
enlightened soul (nephesh): he had the courage to declare Himself
the only Son of His Father – and that by the Holy Spirit who
breathed into man’s spirit (ruach). Then and only then did Man
became a living soul (instead of just having ‘one’).
Whether it’s in the corporate work place or recording
studios allowing musically creative performances (or simply relating
with wonderful people face to face), I’ve come to appreciate that
our steps are better gauged by how we walk, rather than what we
expect along the path.
Go with what you Know and have confidence! I’ve known this for a very
long time. Even my personality lends itself for others to borrow at
times. I see this when
others takes digs at me because they know I can absorb them, while I
know they are seeking something more than just our exchanges. As for me, I yearn for every
bit and parcel when I meet someone new. It refreshes me: as does a
drink of water when thristy.
My quench comes as a pool rather than a river or
stream. My quench comes
when there’s a quiet time to reflect and rejuvenate. My quench comes when those
I’m related to recognize, receive and respond to our time in their
own time. The concept
of eternity has been placed in the heart of Mankind so that we might
appreciate these very things.
I pray that this time of year brings us to remembrance: for
there far too many who don’t know this Principle than those who
claim to know.
Hence, regardless of what you observe, and certainly
regardless of what “faith/belief system” you adhere to, please know
that my sole motivation is to ask that you extend yourself - even
exert yourself to observe another person somewhere who might not be
able to latch onto something dear to them. When you do this (if and
when), you’ll understand why I journal today. When you do this, you
just might be able to sow a seed in someone else’s heart and mind
toward not only bettering themselves, but All of Us in the
process.
Worship is a lifestyle; not a day of the
week.
Have Blessed Relationships, regardless of seasons or
winds!
Respectfully,
John M. Sussewell
(a/k/a “Suss!”)
# # #
For
now, here is a link to some
Biographical
info on myself:
Suss!'s
Biography
Browse at your
leisure. This is incomplete since it does not include a number of
other activities, including my spiritual journey as a Christian
Believer, Minister and Pastor of a local church in Atlanta. I will
update this when I get closer to a design and layout to the site. If
not, then what you see is what you get, while seeking to fulfill
your own destiny.
# # #
Suss!'s
SoundScapes!
My
soundscape/discography offers a listing of various projects and
Artists that I've been involved or worked on since the early
70's. Many are recent. I've converted these files into mp3
format. This list is by no means exhaustive, but only shows some of
my favorites, whether for commercial release or the friends at
Billy Cobham's
website.
I hope you
enjoy my selections while you pursue being creative
yourself.
# # #
Suss!'s
Snaps
Just a few
pictures over the years! This is more of a collage of experiences
than following any particular logic, since all pics are related in
some way ... well beyond me. I've been blessed and readily
acknowledge so.
#
# #
By certain &
special requests, here is info on Suss! with the Artist,
"Donny
Hathaway!"
Donny
Hathaway was my entree' into the mainstream industry back in
1973. Unfortunately, Donny is asleep now, having passed in the
late 70's. Yet the following three tracks were recorded "Live"
at Carnegie Hall in New York City, 1973 with Donny (keyboards
& vocals), Gil Silva (guitar), Bassie Saunders (bass guitar),
Leslie (Chuggy) Carter (congas) and 'your's truly' on drums. It was
a very fine evening with Donny & our band.
I guess this is why Rhino/Warner Bros. Records
released it after so many years; entitled "These Songs For You!" Not
retro, but musical reconciliation!
Overview of Suss w/Donny Hathaway (HTML
Text)
Flying Easy (mp3 -
3.0MB)
Valdez In The Country (mp3 -
3.9MB)
Someday We'll All Be Free (mp3 -
5.2MB)
#
# #
Then
also check out the The
Guild of Sound (recorded
Live on January 16th, 2005) This is special! My overview and
relationship with musicians in the Guild can be found in the
appropriate link.
Sadly, the
Guild is in hiatus right now due the changing life circumstances
of members. One moved out of state, and others to regroup, has
resulted in what I hope to be a temporary departure from our
inception several years ago...
Overview of
The Guild of Sound (HTML Text)
Conception (mp3 - 6.04
MB)
The Best of Me (mp3 - 6.18 MB)
Fresh Idea! (mp3 - 6.08 MB)
Drifter (mp3 - 3.53
MBs)
#
# #
You
may email me directly from this page by clicking the following
link.
Your
email comments are welcome: do so on my MySpace website referenced
below.
# # #
Thanks for visiting my Web
Home...
Visit THE
JAZZ NETWORK
Blogs,
blurbs and babbles may also be found at my MySpace
site.
My Friends on MySpace, The Jazz
Network or within any networked community are simply that. Nothing
more than cyberspace in the context of reaching out and sharing some
beneficial experiences.
I
know who my Real Friends "with skin" Are.
I'm
out for now... ahhh..., no: I'm In!...
Along
With You!
| 
