It has been nearly 17 years since Jon Dahlander’s last full-length solo piano project (Piano Landscapes v.3) and the release of Songs for Smiler McGee. In between, Jon and his wife experienced the joys, challenges, triumphs and ultimately the heartbreak of raising—and then losing their special needs angel Jared (aka Smiler McGee)—a medically fragile child who died shortly before his 14th birthday.
Songs for Smiler McGee, which draws its influences from artists and composers as diverse as George Winston, Yann Tiersen, Debussy, Elton John, and Radiohead, is Jon’s musical expression of his family’s journey with Jared. The songs range from reflective to solemn, from lyrical to whimsical. All are dedicated to Smiler McGee, who loved nothing more than sitting next to his Dad while he composed songs on the piano.
Despite never being able to walk or talk, as well as being visually and hearing-impaired, Jared introduced his family to hundreds of extraordinary people—doctors, nurses, therapists, teachers, aides, volunteers and countless friends with special needs—and the experience, while challenging, was filled with many lessons and rewards. Jared endured 20 surgeries and dozens of hospitalizations but his smile and sweet spirit always managed to shine through.
For several years, Jon all but gave up the idea of ever recording again. In 2007, he read about Pandora in TIME Magazine and, on a whim, decided to send the streaming site all three volumes of his Piano Landscapes series. Since then, his recordings have been played more than 100 million times on Pandora and he has developed a following in spite of very little promotion.
Most of the songs on Smiler McGee were created as a form of catharsis following the loss of Jared from a kidney infection. The experience with Jared has made Jon passionate about shining a light on the abilities of individuals with special needs.
Recorded at 2nd Floor Studio, Dallas, Texas
Audio Engineer: Ken Boome
http://2ndflooraudio.com/
Mastered at Sound Factory LLC by Steve Garrett
Website www.soundfac.com
Artwork by Monica Eskridge
http://www.paperflourink.com/
Photography: © Jon Dahlander
All songs © and ℗ by Blackdog in Snow Music (BMI) 2017.
All songs composed and recorded by Jon Dahlander (BMI) 2017, except Be Thou My Vision (public domain)
All rights reserved, used by permission.
For guidance:
Allan Restrepo, John Dennis, Allaudin Mathieu, Michael Bostick, Charles Eskridge, Gerald Mann
Special thanks for
Ava Faith and Chloe Grace
Special thanks and love always to Heidi.
Finally, thanks to Jared for the joy.
Jared’s Life Lessons
Every day is another gift from God
Love those around you unconditionally
Smile as much as you can
Keep all things in perspective
Listen
Liner notes:
It would be impossible to thank everyone by name who was part of our journey with Jared: doctors, nurses, therapists, respiratory therapists, teachers, aides, principals, counselors, hospital staff, administrators, donors, volunteers, friends, extended family and complete strangers who showed kindness to us for years. Instead, thanks to the following organizations: The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, the Night OWLS ministry at Highland Park United Methodist Church, Rays of Light, Scottish Rite Hospital of Dallas, Ronald McDonald House of Portland, ME, the Devon Nicole House in Boston, the Dallas Independent School District, Medical City PICU Dallas, and, last but not least, Howdy Homemade Ice Cream.
Read more...