It’s easy to complain about life. Usually, it’s something minor.
Then something truly awful happens. We realize how good we had it, just a few days before.
Fifteen years ago Rob Slosberg lost his sister Sydney to drug abuse. He thinks back now to how wonderful it was to hang out with her — having dinner, listening to music, doing simple things together.
It was, the 1982 Staples High School graduate says, “a simpler time, maybe not appreciated as much as it should have been.”
Rob’s day job is creative director at a New York advertising firm. But he started playing guitar when his 2 sons were born. It’s become his passion — and he’s become a recording artist. (His son Justin inherited his dad’s love. After Staples, he headed off to Berklee School of Music.)
Rob Morton
Rob records as Rob Morton. That’s his middle name. He’s not hiding anything — he just wants his artist and ad lives to be separate.
One of his newest songs is “Lucky Back Then.” The idea came as Rob thought about a particular life situation, and thought to himself “I wish I knew I was lucky back then.” It became the first line of the song.
It was not intended as a sad song (though his girlfriend says it makes her cry). The message, Rob says, was to “appreciate what we have while we have it, and live with daily gratitude when possible.”
The ending reinforces that idea beautifully. Before that, Rob sings about all the stages of his life: childhood, adolescence, young parenthood.
His music video reinforces that idea too. Shot entirely in Westport — on Oak Street and Maplewood Avenue; at the Riverwalk by Levitt Pavilion, Compo Beach and Rob’s own house — it includes 4 “Robs.”
The young boy on the bike, the 12-year-old and young dad are professional actors. The 19-year-old is his son Derek.
Rob’s sister Sydney is on the cover. The photo comes from their childhood, on High Point Road.
The full album comes out tomorrow (Saturday, February 29). It includes 8 original tracks, and 2 covers (Otis Redding’s “Try a Little Tenderness” and the Allman Brothers’ “One Way Out.”)
Rob Slosberg’s many fans will be lucky then.
(“Lucky Back Then” will be available on iTunes, Spotify and all major platforms. For more information, click here.)
Dan the mannnnn! Many thanks for this kind write-up, fine sir. It not only captures many of my thoughts when writing the song – but is also a sweet tribute to my sister Sydney, to those that remember her. Thank you Dan! I’m glad you enjoyed the song.
What a beautiful song and video. Definitely dehydrated me….especially the dog scenes. Great job.
Great song and video! Thanks, Rob (and Dan).
I remember Sydney..I’m so sorry- she was a very sweet & funny girl.
OMGoodness, such a lovely pause during my morning regime, listening and watching this touching, powerful piece of music unfold…thank you so much. We wish you well, Rob. Thank you Dan…you guys made me tear-up, too, in a good way.
What a wonderful start to the day and weekend!! Thanks for sharing Rob’s beautiful video and talents, Dan.
This is GREAT. Rob is immensely talented, obviously, but even more importantly he’s a great guy to boot. Comes across in his music so authentically. Well done!
I love that the opening shot is on Oak and Maplewood, which is my neighborhood. The music video beautifully captures what my children have experienced growing up here, and now Rob has given them this song as a future gift to treasure all the wonderful memories they had growing up. Thank you!
Wonderful! Brings back so many memories. Oak Street and Maplewood Avenue were in my childhood territory. In those days Oak Street did not go far beyond the intersection of Maplewood. Roseville Road stopped at Lee’s Dam as I remember it. The song reminds me to remember what a privilege it was to grow up in Westport. The people, the places ,the memories, the beauty. Now to move on and comment on the Connecticut Turnpike Bridge……