Miles Donahue's jazz career did not begin in earnest until age 45. Although in the 60's he performed at many venues with his own group that featured Harvey Swartz, Jerry Bergonzi, Charlie Banacos, Nick Goumas and Jack Diefendorf. One of these concerts in 1972 performed with Charlie Banacos and Jerry Bergonzi became known as the famous Arlington street Church Concert.
In the 80s Miles did two albums for which he wrote all the original material with New York Philharmonic flutist Paige Brook. These two albums were released on Tioch records.
In 1992 Miles first major recording as a jazz leader was released on the Holland label Timeless Records "Double Dribble" featured Kenny Werner piano, Bruce Gertz bass and George Schuller drums. A review of this recording in Saxaphone Journal reads, "Very few musicians today have the diversity and hidden talents Miles Donahue possesses. His phrasing of tenor and trumpet, the harmonic sophistication he plays with and his ability to swing with incredible beauty, all lead to a master musician. This is one of the best CDs I've heard in years.
In a Jazziz magazine review of "The Good Listener" released in 1994 on the Italian label "Ram Records" the reviewer says, like Benny Carter and Ira Sullivan, Miles Donahue is a rare example of someone whose strong personality asserts itself without hesitation whether he's picking up trumpet or saxophone."
"Simple Pleasures" also on Ram Records was Miles next recording released in 1998. This recording featured Kenny Werner piano, George Garzone saxophone, Mick Goodrick guitar, Billy Hart drums and Bruce Gertz bass.
Miles last release September, 2001 Amerigo Records "In The Pocket" features Fred Hersch piano, Jerry Bergonzi saxophone, Jamey Haddad drums, Kurt Rosenwinkle guitar and Jay Anderson bass.
In an interview in Saxophone Journal Jerry Bergonzi said, "Miles Donahue is one of my favorite cats because he plays so unique and fresh. Plus the thing of trumpet and sax. To this day I've never heard anyone play trumpet and tenor so balanced."
In 2002 Miles did a series of concerts with former Jazz Messenger sidemen Curtis Fuller and Billy Pierce.
Here is what Steve Greenlee (Boston Globe critic) had to say about Miles Donahue's latest project (a four album set of standards featuring more than 20 different musicians), "Wow, what a massive impressive project." These albums were released April 2003.
Also in 2003 Q and W records released an album "A Journey Home" under the band name Donnachadha. This CD is a departure for Miles from jazz projects and features a string orchestra, vocals and original Irish music at the core of the recording. There are 13 originals - 7 vocals featuring Corinne Chase and 6 instrumentals which showcase Miles compositional skills.
The educational book, "Jazz Workbook" will be released in April 2005 by Mel Bay books. As a jazz educator Miles is much in demand and this Volume I of series of books Miles has written has already received positive reviews.
Miles is currently wrapping up 2 new projects to end 2004. One of the projects is an album featuring vocalist Maylyn Atkinson. This CD produced by Miles features 10 new standard arrangements and 4 originals. The release date is set for 2005. The second project is a new jazz album with 9 originals and 2 standards that feature Joey Calderazzo on piano, John Patittucci on bass and Adam Nussbaum on drums. It too will be released in 2005. These two CDs represent Miles' tenth and eleventh albums released since 1992.
All The Way
Miles Donahue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's no good unless he loves you, all the way
Happy to be near you
When you need someone to cheer you, all the way
Taller than the tallest tree is
That's how it's got to feel
Deeper than the deep blue see is
When somebody needs you
It's no good unless he needs you, all the way
Through the good or lean years
And for all the in between years, come what may
Who know where the road will lead us
Only a fool would say
But if you'll let me love you
It's for sure I'm gonna love you, all the way
All the way
Miles Donahue's "All the Way" is a love song that delves into the idea of loving someone with unreserved passion and commitment. Through the lyrics, the singer suggests that love is complete only when it is offered not only in the good times but also in the difficult times. The first verse of the song shows that love is not enough if it is not given entirely. When someone loves you, it is no good unless they love you, all the way. This verse implies that love is incomplete if it is given with reservation because true love is committed and passionate.
The second verse explains that true love is not shallow, but rather is deeper than the deepest sea. When love is real, it goes all the way, and its depth is immeasurable. The third verse emphasizes that when somebody needs you, it's no good unless they need you all the way. True love is not only necessary in the good times but also in the lean years, and everything in between. Love that is 'all the way' is unconditional and lasting. The final verse acknowledges that nobody knows what life holds in the future, but if one allows the other to love them, they will receive love unconditionally. The singer promises to love their partner 'all the way' and create a lifetime of commitment and passion.
Line by Line Meaning
When somebody loves you
Being loved by someone is only satisfying and complete if it is wholeheartedly and completely.
It's no good unless he loves you, all the way
A love that is not wholehearted and complete is simply not enough to make one happy.
Happy to be near you
Being in the company of someone you love is sufficient to bring happiness and contentment.
When you need someone to cheer you, all the way
When one is down and out, having someone by their side who loves and supports them completely is what they truly need to cheer them up.
Taller than the tallest tree is
Real love is so big and fulfilling It can be compared to the stature of the tallest tree.
That's how it's got to feel
True love has to be felt completely, with its full potential and captivating beauty.
Deeper than the deep blue see is
True love has unimaginable depth, comparable to the deepest parts of the ocean.
That's how deep it goes, if its real
The depth of true love knows no bounds and is limitless, and is only true if it is felt deeply and completely.
When somebody needs you
Being needed by someone is only satisfying and complete if it is wholeheartedly and completely.
It's no good unless he needs you, all the way
A relationship can only be fulfilling if it is based on mutual and unconditional need and support.
Through the good or lean years
Love has to endure the tests of time, through the highs and lows, to be truly rewarding.
And for all the in between years, come what may
Love should sustain its intensity through the everyday little moments, on a never-ending journey into the future.
Who know where the road will lead us
The future may hold unknown paths and hardships.
Only a fool would say
It is only foolishness to claim any certainty in what the future holds.
But if you'll let me love you
If you reciprocate my feelings, let me love you.
It's for sure I'm gonna love you, all the way
I will commit to loving and supporting you fully and unconditionally.
All the way
Wholeheartedly, unconditionally, completely - that's how I will love you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER HOOK, GILLIAN LESLEY GILBERT, STEPHEN PAUL DAVID MORRIS, BERNARD (GB 2) SUMNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind