The new single from Revere Rivers is truly powerful stuff. The layered instrumentation and Rivers’ vocal performance combine to generate an incredibly atmospheric song in ‘A Girl Named Happiness’. Rivers’ understated singing, almost spoken at times, creates the impression of an intimate conversation; it’s delicate, sensitive and emotive, quietly pulling the listener into his words. James Gadson delivers a light yet insistent rhythm on the drums, and everything else hangs on the subtle but urgent feel he creates. David Ralicke arranged and performed the horns, which make ‘A Girl Named Happiness’ quietly epic alongside Rivers’ piano and Hammond B-3. The accompanying video, created by Paul Andrews, is simple but effective – Rivers appears alone and delivers his words with great feeling.
Rivers says of the song: “I wrote ‘A Girl Named Happiness’ during a dark night of the soul season. I was having a hard time sleeping and would wake up in the middle of the night, finding no relief. ‘A Girl Named Happiness’ is a metaphor for the inner joy I started to find in getting ideas I heard swirling in my head and desperately writing them down on paper. Eventually, I went into a studio and recorded a stripped-down version built around my voice and a lonesome acoustic guitar. When Los Angeles-based record producer Marvin Etzioni got to know me more, he learned about my piano training in New Orleans. My real roots were with Dr. John and Professor Longhair, so I added piano and Hammond B-3. To fulfil the groove, Marvin suggested James Gadson on drums. I couldn’t believe it. I was a huge fan of his work with Bill Withers and Marvin Gaye. We finished the final overdubs with horn arranger David Ralicke. The video of ‘A Girl Named Happiness’ might look like a lonely man with just an acoustic guitar. But, in actuality, it’s a homage to the sound I’ve been feeling in my soul for years and years that seems to be possible when one starts with a song written in darkness.”
The single will appear on “I Was Born of Water”, Rivers’ debut album. Due out this summer, the album was produced by Marvin Etzioni, who has worked with the likes of Counting Crows. While you’re waiting for the full collection, absorb ‘A Girl Named Happiness’ – a moody and heartfelt introduction to Revere Rivers.
