Kendra Morris
"If I Called You"
Karma Chief Records
A true unapologetic pop song, Kendra Morris' newest track 'If I Called You' started as a simple stripped-down version she had raised from a demo graveyard. When she brought it into the album recording session with her band ( Supremo Massiv on guitar, Monti Miramonti on bass, and Chauncey Yearwood on drums) and co-producer Leroi Conroy, it became clear every that the Prince-esque demo needed to be sped up.... a lot. After that 'Ah-ha!' moment, the band reworked the tune into the irresistible slinky, uptempo track that it is today. Legendary guitarist Jimmy James (Parlor Greens) then provided a shredding solo that channels some Paisley Park magic. The vintage recording gear, housed in Conroy's home studio 'Portage Lounge' in Loveland, Ohio, is the sonic cherry on top, creating a warmth and nostalgia you can happily settle into.
The tracks simple instrumentation (3 main chords) and its easy breezy melody weave around the lyrics that describe the universal fantasy of having a crush. "I am the ultimate day dreamer," Kendra cheekily explains, "Whenever I’ve had a crush on someone, I welcomed the emotions that go with it. To create a world in my head of all the possibilities with a person that doesn’t even know who I am...it can be the most fun." The whole song, sonically and lyrically, boils down to that one repeating line: "Would you be mine if I called you all the time?"
Kendra hints that a slowed down version is floating around somewhere out there... maybe you'll hear it one day, too... *wink*