A Lost Musician

Back in the 90s I purchased a CD, maybe it was at a Pride Festival or some such gathering, and I only listened to it superficially. The album, "Strong For You" is by a gay singer/musician named Jeff Krassner.

I recently listened to it again and found several songs on the album that I really like - deeply touching love songs celebrating loving gay relationships.

Searching the net for Jeff Krassner returns very little content. It seems that he had a very difficult time getting a label to promote his music, started his own record company to produce his albums but fell short on marketing or exposure or finding a large enough audience. He has virtually disappeared from the music scene and there are no YouTube videos of songs on this album.

(My search brought up an interesting web site however - Queer Music Heritage and there is a playlist with two of Jeff Krassner's songs. You can actually click on each playlist and hear the music.

The album is available on Amazon, and used CDs go for one cent plus $3.99 shipping.

Unfortunately blogger does not provide an easy way to embed audio files and even if I were to make a video file for the audio and upload it to YouTube, I would probably be in violation of some copyright regulation which I think is stupid because I would not be making any money, but actually be providing free advertising. Oh, well, I might do it anyway...

The two songs I would post if I could are the title song "Strong for You" and the very sentimental "I Hear the Angels Sing" which you can hear in very short clips HERE.

At the risk of being a criminal, I will post the lyrics for you. Tell me what you think:

“Strong For You”  Jeff Krassner

When the blues come cavin’ in

and you lost your way again

I will be strong for you

When the rain comes pouring down

and shelter’s no where to be found

I will be strong for you

Let my love provide a fortress for your soul

A haven in the chaos

That’s raging out of control

When the things that people say

Make you hide our love away

I will be strong for you

When the lies consume you whole

And you feel you just can’t go on

I will be strong for you

I cannot be shaken

No, no, I will not be moved

Though the winds of change are shifting

I’m steady win or lose

And when you’re feelin’ weary

I will hold you up

Just fall into my lovin’ arms

Close your eyes and trust

I will be strong for you…strong for you

I will be strong for you

Now I cannot be shaken

I will not be moved

Though the winds of change are shifting

I’m steady win or lose

And when you’re feeling weary

I will hold you up

Just fall into my lovin’ arms

Close your eyes and trust

I will be strong for you… I will be strong for you

No, I will not move

I’m with you, with you, win or lose

I will be strong for you

“I Hear the Angels Sing”   Jeff Krassner

I can’t believe they don’t understand

‘bout the love I feel for you

When you touch me baby

I feel the angels sing

They tell me it’s wrong

That the devil is loose

They think he’s draggin’ us under

But they don’t have a clue

‘cause when you touch me baby

I hear the angels sing

And when you give yourself to me

Honestly, I hear the angels sing

What makes them think I would turn you away

In this world filled with madness and sorrow

I won’t sell my soul

Or hide any longer

I won’t love you in darkness

Just to make them feel stronger

‘cause when you touch me baby

I hear the angels sing

And when you give yourself to me

Honestly, I hear the angels sing

And you remind me that life can be sweet

Though the world says we don’t belong

So let them preach some old ancient rules

But I know in my heart

It’s the judgment of fools

‘cause when you touch me baby

I hear the angels sing

And when you give yourself to me

Honestly, I hear the angels sing

Over and over I hear the angels

Over and over I hear the angels

Over and over I hear the angels sing