Long As You're Living » «

Max Roach, a founder of modern jazz who rewrote the rules of drumming in the 1940’s and spent the rest of his career breaking musical barriers and defying listeners’ expectations, died early today in Manhattan. He was 83.

PETER KEEPNEWS drummerworld.com

In the coming days there will be pages and pages written about this great musician. How can you possibly describe a man and his music in words? I think his performance on this take of Long as You’re Living, long one of my favourites, says it best of all:


On today of all days the lyrical contributions to that song from Abbey Lincoln – his wife between ‘62-’71 – have a very special poignancy.


Forgive me if I seem to preach
but there is something that I want to say
A message that I hope will reach
people who are throwing life away
I call it my philosophy
that is why I pass it on to you
because it works so well for me
It helps me get away from strife
I hope you listen carefully
They say the truth will make you free
And thats the way you wanna be be
Cos brother this is your liiife

Long as You’re Living
Always remember
Time is for spending
But theres an ending
While you are sleeping
Lifetime is creepin
Wake up and taste it foolish to waste it
Sample and savour
All of its flavour
Long as you’re living

Long as you’re living
Always remember
Folks who are lazy
Are plain crazy
better keep movin’
Keep on improvin’
You wont be hurried after you’re buried
Live every minute
Put yourself in it
Long as you’re living

Long as you’re living
always remember
You’ll never beat life
Don’t try to cheat life
All men are brothers
Do unto others
Loves for enjoying , Hates for destroying
Never forget it
Or you’ll regret it
Long as you’re living

Forgive me if I seem to preach
but there is something that I had to say
A message that I hope will reach
people who are throwing life away
I call it my philosophy
that is why I pass it on to you
because it works so well for me
It helps me get away from strife
I hope you listen carefully
They say the truth will make you free
And thats the way you wanna be be
Cos brother this is your life

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