Adam Hammer’s “The Love You Take” is the first single from the “Simple Songs” project and was recorded live at the Pioneer Place on Fifth Theatre in front of a sold-out audience for 88.1 FM KVSC’s Granite City Radio Theatre program. It was a moment of one-take magic with the Collective Unconscious house band.
Although the song was written and intended to be a studio recording for “Simple Songs,” the live version begged to be released for its spontaneity and world-class musicianship. So here it is, in all its simplicity.
“This project is taking me back to basics with songs that have a simple structure – ‘Simple Songs’ – providing a soundscape for storytelling,” Hammer said.
“The Love You Take” was demoed with just guitar, bass and organ. But during soundcheck for Granite City Radio Theatre, Hammer and the house band decided to add drums and bring Muggsy Lauer’s ethereal electric guitar higher in the mix. During the live broadcast, they went for it having only run through the song a couple times. The room was electric.
“Sometimes when you’re playing live, you can just feel it when something magical happens,” Hammer said. “That night we felt it.”
The single is available on iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, Google Play Music, CD Baby and all major digital distribution networks.
More from “Simple Songs” is yet to come.