The soulful singer-songwriter turns love, loss, and goodbye into a moving tribute arriving two years after Lenny Stoute’s passing.
With her upcoming single “Lay Your Head Down,” passionate powerhouse jazz/blues/R&B singer and soulful songwriter Joanne Powell honours her dearly departed partner of 10 years, longtime Canadian music journalist Lenny Stoute. After experiencing the challenges of a years-long degenerative disease, Stoute chose to pass away on September 22, 2024, with dignity through the kind hands of a Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) health team.
“Lay Your Head Down” is being released exactly two years to the day after his passing. The song will be available on all major platforms, with the accompanying video available on YouTube on September 22.
From the opening funereal drumbeat, which returns at the end, to the glorious gospel choir in the chorus and the raw emotion in Powell’s rich, soothing contralto, “Lay Your Head Down” offers a heartfelt and heartbreaking tribute to the man she loved for so long. As Stoute himself once remarked, Powell’s voice “rises up from a deep emotional well.”
Co-written with guitarist Mike Freedman, “Lay Your Head Down” features Heather Bambrick, Kim Doolittle, and Jono Grant on glowing backup vocals; Allison Young, who delivers a stunning tenor sax solo; and Jono Grant on all other instruments. Grant also produced, arranged, mixed, and mastered the recording.
Bambrick says, “Joanne has crafted something very special, with which I’m sure countless listeners will connect. I was honoured to be a part of it.”
The sweet accompanying video features a series of playful images from a watercolour painting by Saskia Van Tetering that pair beautifully with the emotional nature of the song.
Powell says, “How do you say goodbye for the final time, especially when you know that a specific date has been chosen far in advance? The loss has been overwhelming at times, still today. But it does get a little easier, especially knowing that Lenny’s no longer suffering. My hope is that ‘Lay Your Head Down’ will offer compassion to Lenny, and solace to others in knowing completely that this, too, shall pass.”
Review
“Lay Your Head Down” is a deeply personal and emotional offering, with Powell’s rich vocals capturing the pain of saying a final goodbye while finding comfort in knowing a loved one is no longer suffering.
The gospel-inspired backing vocals add warmth to the track, while the soulful saxophone solo beautifully complements its reflective tone. Lyrics about holding onto yesterday’s love make the loss feel especially intimate.
As the song closes, Powell shifts from offering comfort to searching for it herself, repeating the plea for someone to “show me the way.” Heartbreaking yet tender, “Lay Your Head Down” is a moving tribute to love, loss, and letting go.