- published: 04 Nov 2011
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Come to My Garden is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Minnie Riperton which was produced, arranged and orchestrated by Charles Stepney and released in 1970 under GRT Records . It was re-released on CD in 1999. None of the CD editions have material transferred directly from the original master tapes. All CD editions were mastered in UK, USA and other countries using LP records and different noise reduction methods. It is quite possible that original tapes that belonged to GRT were lost forever.
The album peaked at number one hundred and sixty on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart in 1974. Some versions of the CD release don't include the last track, "Whenever, Wherever." Riperton said she wanted a sound like the great Dionne Warwick / Burt Bacharach collaborations for the album.
Minnie Riperton was presented as a solo artist by Ramsey Lewis on Saturday, December 26, 1970 at Chicago's famed London House. She performed several numbers from the album accompanied by Charles Stepney, the album's producer. Although commercially unsuccessful, Come to My Garden is considered a masterpiece by critics. "Les Fleurs" is probably the album's best known song, and "Expecting" remains a favourite among fans.
(R. Rudolph)
Come to my garden let the stars fill your eyes
Come to my garden and walk with me
Come to my garden no more dreams filled with cries
Come to my garden please
I'll take your hand and lead you from these bad times
I'll take your breath and give you mine
I'll take your hand and lead you where the truth lies
I'll take you with me now
You know you've lived here all your nights; all your days
You know you've lived here inside my mind
You know you'll stay here for this you've lived all your life
You know you'll stay right here