NOTHING GOES DEEPER INTO THE SOUL THAN PASSION

I am at home with Richie, asleep. I wake up and learn it is 3:00 in the morning. I walk into the music study and find him at the piano. I go over to him and gently ask, “Watcha doing, honey?” He answers softly, “Writing a song for you, and about you.” I then say honestly and lovingly, “How nice honey. I am sure it will be magnificent. Anything you write is bound to top the charts.” He smiles at me, reaches over, and kisses me softly on the lips saying, “I never dreamed anyone could be so good, not even at my best with my first wife.” This was saying a lot, because I knew how much he loved his first wife.

My interest in Richie is based upon a passion for music. No I am not a musician, but I understand what he feels when he sings. I have felt that myself, because I have been singing to my family and friends since I was seven years old. If it weren’t for my intense fear of people and audiences and what they think of me, I might have wished I could be singing right along side of him. Since that cannot be, I can only imagine what could have been. I am twenty years too late to be his wife, however, I am not too late in telling him that I adore the passion in his music, for it happens to match my own.

How proud I am that you made it to success, Lionel, for without it, I would not have known of your music. In your video “My Love,” I admire the fact that you can give yourself to the camera, no strings attached. The ease with which you play, the flirtatious look in your eyes, and that mischievous smile I see peeking through, these cannot be bought by the American dollar. They are things that must come from within.

You are a rare commodity and the epitome of adaptation as far as performing. Thank you for giving us the gift of your music and the passion you radiate in this video. In the beginning it is just you and the piano doing the magic that you do, your voice soft and silky, comfortable, and full of emotion with the melodies that you play. How smooth everything flows with every piano key you press. The lyrics too, are proof that you once loved a woman very much. Because of her you were able to write this song and sing it in the way you did. This is what creates a legend – excitement at its peek, an energy that has no limits, a magnetic draw, and of course, the talent to compose. All of those are contained in this video. It was a striking performance, Mr. Richie. Absolutely and unmistakably incredible.

Teri Lynn Milch copyright © July 2006. All rights reserved.
This article was borne out of Lionel’s music video, “My Love,” a rare presentation of a very distinguished musician. The video can be viewed at http://mp.aol.com/video.index.adp?mode=2&pmmsid=1346171