Last Thursday I went to a great Jim Messina concert here on Kauai. Most baby boomers will remember Jim from the duo Loggins and Messina.  He was also part of Buffalo Springfield and Poco.

This concert was particularly fun for me, because I performed on the song Whispering Waters on his Messina solo album back in 1981. He played Whispering Waters in Thursday's concert and I sang my harp part under my breath as I sat in my seat in the audience.

I was able to speak with him for a few minutes after the concert, and it was fun to reminisce with him about that day in the studio 35 years ago.

I have played on lots of other people's albums over the years.  And I must admit that I don't remember most of them.  However, I still remember every note of Whispering Waters. The reason is that I've used this song in workshops at harp conventions for many years.  I have the original lead sheet and "scratch track" that Jim gave me before the recording session, and we play along with these in the workshops.  So, if you've ever taken one of my "How to Read a Lead Sheet" workshops, you've played this piece, too!

Jim has made several re-recordings of Whispering Waters at various times.  You can listen to the original one from Messina by clicking this YouTube link.  First, you'll hear me playing glisses for the sound of the wind.  Then I play a duet with the flute player on a variation of Morrison's Jig. I remember that Jim told me to "play something Irish-sounding" and Morrison's seemed to fit with the chord progression.  I also play chords throughout the rest of the track, but I'm pretty much drowned out by the other instruments.  I love this song, and I hope you enjoy it, too!

I haven't made any arrangements of Jim Messina's music, but I do have a version of House at Pooh Corner by Kenny Loggins that was made famous by Loggins and Messina.  It is part of this month's sale, along with more music from the era.