Today, Eugene is well known to older heads in the New York City area, where he migrated to in 1976 with the band he formed at the Sheraton called Jamaica Subway International. While living in NY he became formally qualified in music by graduating from the City University of New York with a degree in Music Composition. Grey attributes this experience to his unique eclectic style that combines Jazz, Reggae, and Classical music. More recently, Grey is becoming increasingly well known by more people in South Florida where he relocated from New York. He combines teaching music formerly in the Florida School system and privately with performing internationally and locally.
His official debut release Timeless (Greyphone) in 2002 was nominated for a 2003 Reggaesoca Music Award. This instrumental album of interpretations of mostly colloquial themes enjoyed extensive airplay in the US, Canada and Jamaica as well as rave reviews. Jazzreview (2002) wrote of Timeless, “Eugene Grey is an experienced and gifted jazz guitarist. The music is timeless and Grey and his band certainly embraces a laid-back lilt of tropical sunshine and emerald waters.”
In June 2004 Eugene released Shades of Grey (Greyphone) which coincided with his performance at the Suntrust Jazz Brunch at Riverwalk in Fort Lauderdale. This CD was also nominated for a Reggaesoca Music Award in 2005. Beat Magazine (2004) states “Eugene Grey soars on Shades of Grey (Greyphone); the roots reggae version of a smooth-jazz album that showcases his stylized virtuoso electric guitar with soft backing vocals, chunky tracks bedded by real bass, drum and subdued keyboards.”
All of Eugene’s releases were recorded at his own studio, Tropic Isle Recording Studio, Inc. in Fort Lauderdale where he is the engineer. The studio has evolved over the last 21 years and is currently equipped with the latest software to handle live and MIDI recordings. Tropic Isle not only records Eugene’s projects but also the projects of other artists. Two songs on Ernie Ranglin’s latest release Surfin’ (Telarc), “Dance All” and “Yu Si Mi” were recorded at the studio as well as Eugene playing guitar.
Eugene has toured worldwide as lead guitarist with such artists as Grammy Award winners Burning Spear and Toots and the Maytals, as well as Culture, Fab 5, and the internationally acclaimed Kid Creole and the Coconuts. While with Kid Creole and the Coconuts they not only performed on music festivals but appeared on the likes of Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show” and in the move “Lambada”. Eugene’s extraordinary talents were described best by bandleader August Darnell (Kid Creole) in their 1987 Official Tour Program. He stated, “Eugene is a gifted guitarist and much more versatile than I ever realized: he plays everything but when he plays those Haitain, Trinidadian, Afro-Cuban, Jamaican rhythms and licks, I go crazy. I love it. The man is bad.”
Other artists Eugene has performed with include Max Romeo whom he toured with for the first time in Europe, Horace Andy, Big Youth, The Harlem Renaissance Orchestra, America’s Singing Poet Steve DePass, West Africa’s Abdou M’Boup and Vieux Diop, Tony Cafresi and His Latin Orchestra, The Wailers, and The Skatalites. While with The Skatalites Mr. Grey performed with Charlie Palmieri and Arthur Blythe at New York’s club ‘Village Gate’. In 1992 Eugene performed with his group, POWER REGGAE as the opening act and backing band for Jamaica’s Gregory Issacs in Switzerland.
He has recorded on all of the albums by Kid Creole and the Coconuts including arranging the song “Haiti” on their 1994 project. Eugene’s contribution to other recordings include the album “Voice of the Rastaman” by Shanachie artist Ras Tesfa and on the 1995 album “Via Jo” by Triloka artist Vieux Diop from Senegal, West Africa. As mentioned before, he recently played on two songs of Ernest Ranglin’s 2005 release Surfin’ (Telarc).
Another aspect of Eugene’s career included performing as musician in theatre musicals. He was a member of the orchestra in the Off-Broadway play “In A Pigs Valise” in 1989; “Pecong” in 1991 at Newark Symphony Hall and the Off Broadway Classical musical “Sally and Tom” at Castillo Theatre in 1995/96. He was Musical Director for the Off-Broadway musical “Rasta” in 1995 as well as in 2004 for Irving Burgie’s musical review “Day-O” at the Stratford East in London. Eugene had years earlier arranged 42 of the original songs of his longtime employer, Irving Burgie for this Broadway Musical review. These songs were made famous by Harry Belafonte 50 years ago. His arrangements garnered extensive praise from Mr. Burgie’s label Cherry Lane Records.
Eugene released in 2007 another project called “Authentic”. This album comprises all original material with the exception of an arrangement of Bob Marley’s song Jammin’ giving rise to the name authentic. It was during this year that he traveled to Argentina on request to perform. Eugene’s show was such a success that he was invited back in 2008 to perform as well as having a compilation CD called “Our Song” released in Argentina.
Spinning Wheel
Eugene Grey Lyrics
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Spinning Wheel got to go 'round
Talkin' 'bout your troubles
It's a cryin' sin
Ride a painted pony
Let the Spinning Wheel spin
You got no money, you got no home
Spinning Wheel all alone
You never learn
Ride a painted pony
Let the Spinning Wheel turn
Did you find your directing sign
On the straight and narrow highway
Would you mind a reflecting sign?
Just let it shine within your mind
And show you the colors that are real
Someone is waiting just for you
Spinning Wheel spinning true
Drop all you troubles by the river side
The song “Spinning Wheel” by Eugene Grey revolves around the idea that life is full of ups and downs, and that you need to keep going and enjoy the ride. The lyrics convey the message that even if you're having a tough time in life, you should try to take a step back and enjoy the moment, and keep moving forward. The lyrics emphasize the importance of addressing life’s troubles in a calm and calculated manner instead of crying about them.
The first verse reminds us that everything in life is cyclical and that what goes up must come down, and the spinning wheel needs to keep turning. The verse also highlights the significance of talking about your troubles but warns against getting stuck in a rut. The chorus advises the listener to ride the spinning wheel of life, just like a painted pony, and to let things happen. The chorus also reminds us that we may have to experience tough times, but they will pass.
The second verse encourages the listener to stay positive and look for signs, as the verse asks if you’ve found your directing sign or would you mind a refective sign? The song further invigorates the listener to keep moving forward through their troubles and look for positivity in life.
Line by Line Meaning
What goes up must come down
Everything that goes up eventually comes back down
Spinning Wheel got to go 'round
The cycle of life and fate continues to spin
Talkin' 'bout your troubles
Discussing and dwelling on your problems
It's a cryin' sin
It's a tragic and harmful thing to do
Ride a painted pony
Take a chance and enjoy life's journey
Let the Spinning Wheel spin
Accept and embrace the uncertainties of life
You got no money, you got no home
You are struggling financially and without a place to call home
Spinning Wheel all alone
Life's uncertainties can make you feel lonely and isolated
Talkin' 'bout your troubles and you
Focusing on your problems and how they affect you personally
You never learn
You repeat the same mistakes and fail to grow
Did you find your directing sign
Have you found your purpose or path in life?
On the straight and narrow highway
On the path towards a specific goal or objective
Would you mind a reflecting sign?
Are you open to self-reflection and introspection?
Just let it shine within your mind
Allow yourself to see your true colors and potential
And show you the colors that are real
Reveal to yourself your true passions and aspirations
Someone is waiting just for you
You have people who care about you and are supporting you
Spinning Wheel spinning true
Life's cycle of highs and lows is an inevitable reality
Drop all you troubles by the river side
Let go of your worries and enjoy life's simpler pleasures
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind