Time In The Wind

Kai Winding & The Gospelaires: "Time Is On My Side"
From: Verve 45 [Verve, 1963]

OK gang, today I'm squeezing in a post to let everyone know about Format Mag, an online magazine where I am features editor and I write a column called, All Beef, No Chicken. TIME, TIME, TIME is on my side, because I love the work I do and hopefully the global Ear Fuzz family can appreciate my work at Format. The focus at Format is on music, design, art and fashion. There is something for everyone!

Thanks for all the support, Ear Fuzz is my Internet home and I have mad love for it!

To the music!

Time is the message and "Time Is On My Side" is a painfully beautiful song that has me open. A lot of people believe the Rolling Stones made this song or Irma Thomas, but trombonist, Kai Winding, is the king that conquers "Time Is On My Side". The simplicity of the arrangement makes this soulful burner easy to remember, but the powerful vocals make the song unforgettable. The Gospelaires send shivers through my body and after I found out who they are everything made sense. The Gospelaires are Cissy Houston, Dee Dee Warwick and Dionne Warwick. No wonder those vocals hit so damn high!

Jerry Ragovoy, known better as Norman Meade, has written and arranged this song. Other than some amazing trombon work and all-star vocals, the arrangement is pretty simple. However, much like amazing graffiti, the simplicity of Ragovoy's arrangement is highlighted with infectious accents that work better without clutter. Another song to checkout is Garnett Mimms', "Cry Baby", another Ragovoy song with, from what I've read, The Gospelaires on vocals, but the record credits vocals to The Enchanters. I'll milk that 45 from my friend and the Ear Fuzz family can be the judge on this vocal controversy.

I play this song to people of all generations and the affect it has on people is amazing. From "That's way creepy, man" to "It's so beautiful," people really notice this song's emotional strength. Sure the lyrics are about make-up to break-up, but the idea of hope for something better is what really grabs me. This song moves me in a way that a motivational speaker gives hope to addicts.