Gene Eugene's last songs.

Gene Eugene lead Adam Again and was a member of the Lost Dogs until he died in 2000. He produced a lot of the CDs I grew up with; I often found his name and "Fabulous Green Room" Studio in the liner notes of the alternative CCM albums I loved growing up. 

About the songs embedded on the right: I knew these songs were out there, but didn't have a chance to hear them until I rediscovered them on Spotify a couple weeks ago. They're gorgeous, lo-fi tracks that he recorded not long before he died. His unexpected death and the post-mortem uncovering of these recordings give the tracks a sheen of prophecy, of knowing-what-was-coming, of self-awareness that the listener can apply with reckless abandon.

Although his voice was always expressive, these songs take it to a different place. "Dig," "Hide Away," and "Every Mother's Way" each feature his passionate, introspective voice, but these seem particularly heartbroken, yet at peace with the heartbreak.

Friendship is a common theme in Eugene's abortive catalogue: "Waiting For You To Come Around," "Jimmy," "Tree House," and "Homeboys" each explore different types of that deep, intimate friendship that I can empathize with. However, this rendition of "Something About What Happens When We Talk" brought tears to my eyes upon my first listen. I feel as if I can really hear how much certain friendships mean to him through that track. Eugene's ability to develop a wide swath of friendships is well-documented, but this track is enough evidence for me.

Eugene was a great songwriter, but he wasn't prolific. Like Lyle Lovett, he seems to often be a better song interpreter than songwriter. He turns any song he sings, no matter who wrote it, no matter how obscure, into a standard. These three, lo-fi, final tracks are perfect examples of his high expectations for himself. It's good stuff.