Paul Williams - 1974 - Here Comes Inspiration

 

This album reminds me of such a specific time and place, that I can touch it... I can even remember the image of where I was, but I can remember the thoughts in my head. It was 1977, and I was 7 years old. My mother had gotten out of prison and married again and we were living in Frogtown, a kind of sketchy area, particularly at the time, part of St. Paul. My stepfather's ex-wife had gotten involved in a murder - one of her boyfriends killed another - and all of the sudden, we had four more kids in this tiny duplex. It was weird and rough, and I don't know, but back to the album... One night my mom was in a good mood and she played this.. and it resonates. She was so cool.. I think back to her. My Mom is still alive, now 75 years old, she would have been 29 then. What stress she must have felt having these kids show up all the sudden. It is amazing that nearly 50 years later, my parents are still together. My Mom has grace and confidence. She is an ex-con. She is still cool, still a motivator in my life. This album, you get it.

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