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Month: January 2015

SATISFACTION

 from RUNAWAY

Written by Bill Champlin & Richard Page

The years between the late seventies and early eighties often saw David Foster embedding dynamic and punchy horn arrangements into his productions. The Canadian Hitmaker’s close collaboration with arranger supreme Jerry Hey brought to life fantastic horn charts that can be appreciated on legendary recordings by Bill Champlin, Peter Allen, Boz Scaggs, Deniece Williams, Airplay, The Tubes and Average White Band. This week’s spotlight is put on “Satisfaction,” an irresistible, up-tempo jam that opened the second side of Champlin’s 1981 album “Runaway.”

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THAT’S THE WAY TO GO

 from THAT’S THE WAY TO GO (single)

Written by David Foster, Jay Graydon & Jack Conrad

The Bottom Line’s “Crazy Dancin'” was one of the first disco albums developed in the United States around the mid-seventies. This project was the brainchild of well-known musician/songwriter Jack Conrad. He decided to bring to America the disco sounds that were so hot in Europe around those days. Conrad was renowned for writing and playing on albums for Three Dog Night, The Babys, Paul Williams, Kiki Dee and The Doors.

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HARD TO SAY GOODBYE, MY LOVE

 from DREAMGIRLS

music by Henry Krieger Lyrics by Tom Eyen

In the early Eighties, “Dreamgirls” became one of the most successful Broadway shows in history. In 1982, the show was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards and won five. The huge popularity of the show saw the recording of an album that included material sung by its original performers. Geffen Records released the original cast album of “Dreamgirls” in the winter of 1982.

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EXPLAIN IT TO MY HEART

 from TWENTY 1

written by Diane Warren

Let’s go back to the late Eighties. After a very successful stint with David Foster on their 16, 17 and 18 albums, Chicago opted for a more rock-infused sound for Chicago 19. They chose to collaborate with AOR producers Ron Nevison and Chas Sanford. Chicago 19 kept the hit series going for the veteran rock band with top ten hits like “I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love,” “You’re Not Alone” and their third #1 ever, Diane Warren’s “Look Away.” All those hits were sung by Bill Champlin and produced by Nevison who sports an illustrious track-record with names including Kiss, Starship, Heart, Bad English and Damn Yankees. The obvious subsequent move was to confirm Nevison for Chicago Twenty-1.

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