Limitless

When I write a song, I have done it many different ways, the title first, the melody first, the lyrics first, the bass first, the drums first, the chord structure first, nature sounds first.. with Limitless I went a step further, trying to write from a vantage point as if I was someone else. Who are some of my favorite musicians? How would they write this song? I wanted to write a song for my friend Heather who is a fantastic singer to maybe inspire her to do her own album. She would deserve my favorite musicians writing and even playing on a song for her. What if it was played by musicians I love who also played music with her dad? What about the guy who wrote a song about her dad called "My Friend"?

Heather's Dad - photo by Henry Diltz

Unfortunately, this dream would be impossible as both Rusty Young and Paul Cotton are no longer with us. Wait... but I did ask Rusty and Paul to play on my stuff over ten years ago, but all I have is a chord progression. So there it is! I will start with the chord progression they played with George Grantham. Then came the title, which borrows part of a word in Heather's dad's song Take it to the Limit. Then the lyrics and the melody came to me. I added bass and a little guitar and Johnny Echols who was also a friend of her dad, played amazing lead guitar! Seriously a kick ass part, thanks Johnny! So I had the demo now I mixed and recorded myself. I wasn't sure how it would be received by anyone. I was so excited to finally have played with members of Poco and Johnny Echols. I started to really like it. There was a drummer who wanted to hear it and perhaps play on it. His reaction crushed me. He told me I need to quantize things and put it on a grid so people can play on it. He asked me if I knew how to loop things. He kept asking me if Leland Sklar was going to be on it, and if so then he'd be interested. Leland rocks and played on my last album, but I just can't afford it this time. He also criticized the drums "Oh I deleted that track right away" and the guitars he said were off and that I need to learn to play better. "Is this even a song?" Was another comment. I didn't know how to respond, and I just lied to him, "Yeah, I don't know how to loop or really record, yeah I played those tracks I will try and redo, sorry." I just could bear him criticizing my heroes, I'd rather him think I'm an idiot - which I am a lot of the time ha ha. Plus, now I was worried if I showed Heather would she have the same reaction?

I scraped up money and had Leland play on it and removed my bass part. After I showed this version with Leland to the drummer, he asked "Do you have any different songs I could play on?". I was so upset, I just spent all that money and I wanted to play bass with my heroes, especially since they were no longer here. However, it was the right thing and feel blessed the drummer pushed me to get Leland. Leland's part is so perfect! What ended up on the album is the original instrumental demo with my guitar, Poco and Johnny Echols and Leland's part added. I added a violin part at the end and the vocals. Now for the scary part what would everyone else think of the song, especially Heather?

.... GULP! .... Heather was so kind, she said she loved it and so did her mom! It is also the second most played song on college radio from my album Pegasus and Equuleus! It charted on several college stations Folk playlists and is my most "Shazamed" song.

Limitless

Words by: Laurie Larson Music by: Laurie Larson & Rusty Young

Lead Guitar: Johnny Echols

Bass: Leland Sklar

Guitars: Rusty Young & Paul Cotton

Drums: George Grantham

Guitars, Violin, Vocals: Laurie Larson

Facing challenge after challenge

Looking for any trace of hope I can scavenge

What’s their meaning 

as the sun's rays break through beaming.

Finding what you want

Is anyone’s guess

All I know is… You are Limitless, You are Limitless

I could never love you any less

And I know you are Limitless you are Limitless

More good things accumulating

More truth is illuminating

It soon takes hold and your soul is never, never growing old

You’re all I want

I must confess

And I know you are Limitless, You are Limitless

I can't wait to hear the version with Heather's vocals someday... stay tuned!