After splitting from Simone, Irvine formed his own 17-piece group that at different times included the likes of Billy Cobham, Randy Brecker, Bennie Maupin, and Don Blackman; in 1973, the Nodlew label issued his first headlining session, Liberated Brother, followed a year later by Time Capsule. Over the course of these records the keyboardist truly hit his stride, honing not only his singular yet skilled fusion of jazz, funk, soul, blues, and gospel — a direct antecedent of what would later be known as acid jazz — but also the social consciousness and impassioned spiritually that further defined his career. In addition to subsequent LPs like 1975's Spirit Man and the next year's Sinbad, Irvine also began writing musicals for the stage, and in 1977 New York's Billie Holiday Theatre produced his Young, Gifted and Broke, which proved both a commercial and critical smash that won a series of awards during its eight-month run. The Billie Holiday Theatre also mounted more than 20 of Irvine's other musicals, most notable among them The Vampire and the Dentist, The Will, and Keep It Real.
But while Irvine focused on his stage projects, his recording career fell by the wayside, and following 1979's Sisters he did not headline a new LP for another 15 years. In that time his work was rediscovered and praised by a growing number of politically minded young rappers, especially Boogie Down Productions, A Tribe Called Quest, and Leaders of the New School, all of whom sampled his vintage recordings. Unlike many artists of his generation, Irvine embraced these upstarts in turn, in 1994 recording the hip-hop-inspired Music Is the Key for the indie label Luv'N'Haight. Three years later he cut Spoken Melodies, even rapping himself under the name Master Wel, and that same year lent keyboard and string arrangements to Mos Def's Black on Both Sides; he even gave piano lessons to rappers Q-Tip and Common. In 1999 Irvine called on Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Q-Tip for The Price of Freedom, a searing indictment of police brutality inspired by the death of Amadou Diallo, a defenseless African immigrant murdered in a hail of gunfire by New York City cops.
On April 9, 2002, Weldon Irvine, 59, killed himself with a rifle on the front lawn of this Uniondale office complex. The apparent suicide took place at the EAB Plaza, on Hempstead Turnpike, just west of the Meadowbrook Parkway and across from Nassau Coliseum.
It happened about 3:20 p.m., while workers were inside the large office complex.
Homicide Det. Sgt. Richard Laursen said.
He was wearing a tailored button-down shirt, gray slacks and black shoes.
He apparently carried the .22-caliber rifle used in the shooting in a black garment bag, according to police.
Irvine left no suicide note, so we can only speculate as to what pressures could have led to this tragic end. Friends close to Weldon at the time of his death spoke of his contemplating selling the rights to his music to settle the $200,000 debt owed to the Internal Revenue Service.
The body was taken to the Nassau medical examiner for an autopsy.
It is interesting to note that Irvine’s mother also committed suicide.
Irvine had been an accomplished musician since 1964, a time when he was involved with a quintet that won an award at a college jazz festival.
Weldon also studied English, Drama and music theory.
Morning Sunrise
Weldon Irvine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Morning sunrise!
Hello, morning, you look good, good to me
Kissing the sky, I can feel it move me
But on my own I would share this morning
Kiss the sunrise with my eyes, so it′s a
Morning sunrise (I said it's a beautiful morning sunrise)
Morning sunrise
If I ever heard you say, yeah
Ooh, ooh
Yeah, aah
Morning sunrise!
Flowers will bloom in the spring, it seems like
Everything nature has bring, could it be so? (Morning sunrise!)
Life will go on, so they say, and it will
Bring on another day, so it′s a
Morning sunrise (Morning, another morning sunrise)
Morning sunrise (I said it's a beautiful morning sunrise)
Morning sunrise
If I ever heard you say, yeah
Ooh, ooh
Yeah, aah
Morning sunrise! (Morning, morning sunrise)
Yes it is
Morning sunrise!
The song "Morning Sunrise" by Weldon Irvine celebrates the beauty of a new day with the rising sun. Irvine starts by greeting the morning with excitement, appreciating the sun's redemptive qualities by waxing lyrical about how the sun kisses the sky and rejuvenates his spirit. He then confides that he would not want to experience this beauty on his own, as he would love to share the moment with someone who sees the sunrise with the same awe as he does.
The second verse of the song is a nod to nature's natural renewal cycle. Irvine notes that after the winter season, flowers begin to bloom in the spring, signaling a new beginning. He then acknowledges that despite the changing seasons, life always goes on as each day brings with it a new beginning. This realization echoes the essence of the entire song that invites listeners to embrace every day with the same zeal and gratitude as they observe nature’s renewal.
Overall, Irvine's "Morning Sunrise" is a gentle reminder of the beauty of nature and the power of new beginnings. It emphasizes the need to celebrate life and awaken each morning with excitement and gratitude.
Line by Line Meaning
Morning sunrise!
Expressing appreciation for the beauty of the sunrise.
Morning sunrise!
Reiterating one's appreciation for the sunrise.
Hello, morning, you look good, good to me
Addressing the morning and acknowledging how good it looks.
Kissing the sky, I can feel it move me
Feeling the movement and energy of the sunrise touching them deeply.
But on my own I would share this morning
Wanting to share the experience of the beautiful sunrise with others.
Kiss the sunrise with my eyes, so it′s a
Taking in the beauty of the sunrise with one's eyes.
Morning sunrise (Morning)
Affirming the beauty of the sunrise once again.
I said it's a beautiful morning sunrise
Reiterating and emphasizing the beauty of the sunrise.
If I ever heard you say, yeah
Expressing agreement if someone points out the beauty of the sunrise.
Flowers will bloom in the spring, it seems like
Observing that the natural world brings new life in the spring season.
Everything nature has bring, could it be so? (Morning sunrise!)
Reflecting on the incredible beauty of the natural world that is highlighted by the sunrise.
Life will go on, so they say, and it will
Reiterating the idea that life continues, as people often say.
Bring on another day, so it′s a
Looking forward to the start of a new day with hope and a positive attitude.
Morning sunrise (Morning, another morning sunrise)
Celebrating the arrival of yet another sunrise.
Yes it is
Affirming that the sunrise is truly beautiful.
Morning sunrise!
Once again expressing appreciation for the beauty of the sunrise.
Writer(s): Don Blackman
Contributed by Grayson M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.