For more than two decades, they’ve been one of Los Angeles’s most enduring musical teams — two voices entwined in harmony, singing songs of hope and songs of sorrow: Eric Lowen and Dan Navarro.  A new CD, Keep the Light Alive: Celebrating the Songs of Lowen & Navarro, pays tribute to this superb duo. Five years ago, Lowen was diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, and CD proceeds will benefit ALS research.

The new album features recordings of Lowen and Navarro songs by Jackson Browne, Keb’ Mo’, The Bangles, The Refugees, and Five for Fighting’s John Ondrasik, among others.

“This recording honors the gentle, jovial, supremely talented Eric Lowen, whom we all love and admire.  It highlights some of the amazing songs this duo has written and performed over the past twenty-plus years,” said Mike Gormley, who served as Lowen & Navarro’s manager for over a decade. Gormley is one of four executive producers who spent the better part of the last four years assembling the tribute.  Other executive producers are close friend Janis Dalessandro, Mark Waldrep of AIX Records and acclaimed musician/producer Kevin McCormick.

Jackson Browne opens the CD — available at keepthelightalive.org and on iTunes — with his choice from the L&N catalog, “Weight of the World,” in a poignant performance: “And if you find no path to glory/ Nothing sacred, nothing holy/ Change your tune to fit the story/ And let the details all be damned.”  “If You Love Me Like That” gets an honest, elegant reading from Keb’ Mo,’ whose first Midwest tour opened for Lowen & Navarro, and they’ve remained friends since.  Five for Fighting’s leader John Ondrasik owns his version of the heart-rendering “Keep The Light Alive.”  “Eric is an inspiration to all of us,” he said. “His grace, strength and class are unmatched.”

Lowen and Navarro wrote hits songs for Pat Benatar (”We Belong”) and The Bangles (”I’ll Set You Free”), and recorded their own stirring versions of those songs.  On the tribute CD, “We Belong” is performed by The Bangles. Band-member Susanna Hoffs has known Lowen and Navarro since 1985. “We all fell in love with the blend of their distinct voices — Eric’s angelic purity and Dan’s resonant soulfulness,” she said. ” They wrote and performed song after beautiful song, and we Bangles recorded a few of them — ‘I’ll Set You Free,’ ‘Something To Believe In’ and ‘Everything I Wanted.’ ‘We Belong’ is our thank you performance to Eric and Dan for so many years of heartfelt and gratifying music.”

The Refugees (hit singer-songwriter Wendy Waldman, former Animal Logic-fronter Deborah Holland, former Elton John duet singer Cindy Bullens), with Kenny Edwards (industry-great singer, multi-instrumentalist), perform “Compass Point.”  Rounding out the set are “I Don’t Believe In Yesterday,” a happy last-minute addition to the CD from the always popular Freebo; “Open Your Heart” from Severin Browne; “Old Riverside” from Joel Rafael; “You Stay On My Mind” from Andy Chase Band; a superb “Just To See You” from L&N’s close friends, Eddie from Ohio; “Opposite of Everything” from longtime L&N musician Phil Parlapiano; “Cold Outside” from Charlie Wadhams; and “If I Was The Rain” from Stonehoney.

Dan Navarro continues touring as a solo artist, never too far away for communication and quintessential friendship with his musical partner. Keep The Light Alive is a meeting place of tribute, hope and love.  On personal note, I’ve known Lowen and Navarro for some 20-plus years as well, and had the pleasure of writing their bio for an album project in the early ’90s.  Their songs are ever-lasting, holding subtle power and sway years after they were recorded.  Start with Walking on a Wire and Broken Moon, and then check out their other recordings as well; you’ll find much magic there.

CD proceeds will benefit: The Eric Lowen Trust, ALSA LA and Augie’s Quest. Also, join this dedicated Facebook page.