Ari Joshua’s Pray Sue is a composition that intertwines memory, place, and ancestral motifs, evoking a profound connection to the past. This work sits at the intersection of classical and jazz, drawing from both traditions to craft a sound that is distinctly its own. Inspired by Joshua’s late grandfather and the enigmatic town of Przysucha, the piece unfolds as a cinematic journey through time and space. At its core, Pray Sue channels a classical sensibility, reimagined through a modern lens, creating a unique sonic landscape where orchestral strings, vintage magnetic tape-driven keyboards, and organs merge to create a deeply ethereal experience.
The rhythmic foundation of the composition is anchored by the formidable drumming of Billy Martin, whose intricate percussive work adds depth and complexity. John Medeski’s electric organ textures elevate the composition further, adding layers of analog warmth and color. Recorded at the legendary Applehead Studio in Woodstock, New York, Pray Sue encapsulates the essence of a bygone era when music was crafted with meticulous attention to detail.
The artwork for the release, created by artist Mark Henson, complements the music’s ethereal nature. As Henson describes it, his visual work portrays "winged beings flying to the source," resonating with the sense of journey and transcendence that the composition evokes.
Credits:
Produced by: Ari Joshua
Ari Joshua – Guitar (Electric)
John Medeski – Electric Organ
Billy Martin – Drums
Jason Fraticelli – Upright Bass
Phillip Peterson – Cello
Petro Krysa – Violin
Strings by: Phillip Peterson, House of Breaking Glass
Production Team:
Producer: Ari Joshua
Engineered by: Chris Bittner, Applehead Recording Studios
Mixed by: Chris Bittner, Applehead Recording Studios | Pierre Grill, Rendez-Vous Studios
Mastered by: Pierre Grill, Rendez-Vous Studios
Art: Mark Henson
Design: Monte Mitchell and Forest Shore
Engineered by Chris Bittner, the recording preserves the intimacy and authenticity of the performances, capturing the nuances of each instrument. The subsequent mixes by Pierre Grill at Rendez-Vous Studios expand the soundstage, inviting listeners into a full sensory experience.
The soulful guitar of Ari Joshua weaves through Pray Sue, bridging the personal and the universal. The dialogue between the guitar and orchestral elements is both delicate and powerful, creating an intimate yet expansive sonic conversation. The track opens with a two-minute prelude, a meditation anchored by Fraticelli’s resonant upright bass, enveloping the listener in delicate textures that evoke a sense of serene isolation. The melodic minor mode infuses the opening with melancholic beauty, resembling a solitary desert landscape.
At the two-minute mark, the music swells as the orchestral strings join the bassline, creating a lush tapestry of sound. The composition builds and ascends, with intricate musical interplay between Joshua and Medeski at the four-minute mark—a particularly electrifying moment that mirrors the intensity of a celestial fireworks display. As the piece draws to a close, the melody undergoes a transformative shift, returning to its introspective beginnings, enriched by the journey undertaken.
The result is a deeply immersive listening experience—one that evokes reflection, connection, and peace.
In a personal note, Ari Joshua reflects on the inspiration behind Pray Sue: “It’s one of those songs that came like a prayer in the wind. I wrote it as part of a batch of songs for John and Billy, but it came after thinking about music I imagine our ancestors would have sung when they wanted to connect to the source. The title comes from the town my ancestors lived in before the Second World War. It’s not a sad song—it’s a minor key, but it is a song for peace.”
Ari Joshua’s Musical Legacy
Joshua’s collaborations with John Medeski and Billy Martin have produced five key releases, including Meeting of the Minds, a meditative, improvisational album; Elephant Walk, a cinematic boogaloo; Dragons Layer, an angular, suspenseful sonic journey; Country Stroll, a laid-back country-infused jazz track; and Let’s Do It Right Now, a tribute to Elvin Jones. These works showcase the trio’s synergy, demonstrating a diverse range of soundscapes and creative depth.
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