When you "can't give the best that you've got" because you're "caught up in the rapture" of a thing called 'life,' you have to put the music on pause, take a break, and re-group. It happens to me. It happens to you. A little over ten years ago, it happened to Anita Baker.
The diva of song who lit up the world with the hits "Sweet Love," "Caught Up In The Rapture," and "Giving You The Best That I've Got," just couldn't give anymore to her fans. She was forced to give back to what molded her into what she is today as a person and a woman... moreover, as a mother and caretaker.
The last decade of her time away from the music scene found Anita spending time, not only raising her family that consists of two boys (Walter and Edward), who are just stepping into the world of teenage life, but also taking care of dying family members. Her mother, Brenda Baker, died in 1998. But in 2002, a very special family friend, whom Anita considered to be more like an aunt from helping to raise her, Lois Landry, died from complications from Alzheimer's disease. Anita recalled that there was some relief knowing that she wasn't suffering any more. That for years, they could put men on the moon, yet they couldn't find a cure for Alzheimer's. Hey, I know where she's coming from! My father, God rest his soul, died of the same disease after we cared for him, at home, for seven years. Trust me, that's enough to make anyone forget about the music! But anyway, even though she never really knew "her" father, these two women, as well as her family, were enough to put Anita on hold...until now! The feeling in her heart was apparent that the time is now to keep the music playing, and at the same time, ease the pain.
"My Everything" features Anita co-writing 9 of the 10 compositions along with longtime companion and keyboardist Barry Eastmond. It starts off with "You're My Everything," which definitely has to be an un-dying tribute to her loving husband and best friend, Walter, Sr! (You remember Walter, it was his shoulder who Anita was resting her tired, pretty little head on...actually sleeping, during one of the Grammy presentations)! She's allowed to do that, being an eight time Grammy winner overall! Speaking of her husband, "Men Of My Life," is a staple of her new recording (being the last song on the cd), conveying her love and devotion to the three most important men in her life. In between it all is typical Anita. Incorporating the likes of Jimmy Haslip, Russell Ferrante, and William Kennedy of the Yellow Jackets, guitarist Paul Jackson, Jr., George Duke, who normally plays keyboards and will ultimately produce Anita's next album of the jazz realm, on percussion...how can she miss? Most of these cats have been in the studio with her in the past, with the exception of Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, co-writing and singing with Anita on a beautiful ballad called "Like You Used To Do." While we're on the topic of ballads, you have got to listen to "Close Your Eyes" with your partner! My favorite happens to be "I Can't Sleep," which features incredible saxophone licks by Eric Marienthal, as well as Nathan East of Fourplay on the bass, and Steve Ferrone, of Average White Band fame (among others), on drums. It's probably the jazziest song on the cd, with Anita showing off her "scat-singing skills!" Call it a preview to her next recording for Blue Note.
For now, lets just enjoy the comeback of a wonderful artist and human being who, despite enjoying the fruits of labor for many years, has endured the real test of strength in life...and that is, to love and to give when it matters the most. Anita is back!
