From TIME WAS
Written by D. Bryan & R. Supa
Curtis Stigers is a talented singer/songwriter/saxophone player who achieved popularity in both the pop and jazz fields. Signed by Arista Records in the early nineties, Stigers was probably seen as the next Michael Bolton.
The singer’s self-titled debut followed the footsteps of Bolton’s style with a mix of pop ballads and
rock’n’soul up-tempo songs. The album became a multi-platinum smash and included the hit single “I Wonder Why,” an elegant ballad that paved the way for the album’s success. Stigers’ 1995 sophomore effort, “Time Was,” was another elegant radio-friendly affair with the singer’s powerful and evocative singing in the spotlight. Stigers also co-wrote interesting moments of the album like the rocking title track, the ballad “Keep Me From The Cold” and the soulful “It Never Comes.” “Time Was”
presented a stellar line-up of musicians and producers including session aces John Robinson, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Koz, Neil Larsen and Michael Thompson while David Foster, Glen Ballard, Stewart Levine and Danny Kortchmar were behind the glass. Foster produced and arranged the adult contemporary ballad, “This Time.” The smooth song develops beautifully with a gentle melody and effective refrain. The elegant arrangement and perfect production are trademark Foster. Thompson’s guitar and Foster’s piano back up the singer’s heartfelt performance that’s also enriched by his fired up saxophone playing. “This Time” was the single off the album though it didn’t become a hit.
After “Time Was,” Stigers decided to go back to jazz. He released a series of wonderful albums that established him as one of premiere jazz singers in America.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/this_time.mp3|titles=This time|artists=Curtis Stigers]
Lead Vocals & Saxophone: Curtis Stigers
Piano & Keyboards: David Foster
Electric Guitars: Michael Thompson
Synclavier: Simon Franglen
Produced & Arranged by David Foster
Lyrics
Love makes us laugh
Love makes us cry
We’re up and we’re down
We don’t understand why
But we take it
We’re just trying to make it
Sometimes we lose touch
With our feelings inside
Put up our walls
When we injure our pride
And we break up
Only to make up
Easy
Love has never been easy
And I’ve been searching
Trying every door
’
Til I finally found what I was looking for
And it takes what it takes
We all make mistakes
There are so many Mountains to climb
But I know that our love will survive
Baby this time
We heal from the pain
We learn from the past
The future is ours
Now we found it at last
We both know it
Can’t help but show it
Easy
Love has never been easy
And I’ve been searching
Trying every door
’
Til I finally found what I was looking for
And it takes what it takes
We all make mistakes
There are so many Mountains to climb
But I know that our love will survive
Baby this time
There were so many times
When the road got rough
Thought that we’d both had enough
But we kept it alive
Somehow the love wouldn’t die