Singer-songwriter Gary Wright passed away Monday, leaving listeners with three hits that have held up for over four decades. In his memory, I offer these thoughts:
- Dream Weaver (For most listeners, this is Wright's most familiar song. Wright's vocals match the effectively spacey mood that's established from the first note.)
- Love Is Alive (This is how you grab the listener immediately, build to a hook, and underpin vocals with a synthesizer backdrop.)
- Really Wanna Know You (This sounds of its time, 1981, in the best way. With such universal sentiments and an emotionally honest chorus, this deserves more airplay than it usually gets. My mood always brightens when it comes up in iTunes shuffle mode.)
