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THE BEST OF ME

from THE HEART OF THE MAN
Written by David Foster, Jeremy Lubbock & Richard Marx

Philip “Phil” Eugene Perry is one of the best soul/R&B singers of his generation. Perry has a unique tenor voice that easily switches into a magnificent falsetto that flies right to the stratosphere.

Perry started his career as a member of The Montclairs, a soul group that achieved some minor success in the first half of the seventies. In early eighties he went on to record a couple of records with another former member of The Montclairs, Kevin Sanlin, under the name of Perry & Sanlin. Around the same time, Perry started a prominent career as session singer, working with many big names including the late George Duke (1946-2013), Dave Grusin, Barbra Streisand and Chaka Khan. Perry also started a long collaboration with jazz/fusion guitar giant Lee Ritenour.

In 1991, Perry finally released his first solo cd titled The Heart Of The Man. On that special occasion, this amazing vocalist recruited many of his gifted friends like Ritenour, Dave Koz, Brenda Russell, Don Grusin, David Garfield, Andrè Fisher and Cece Winans to help him out. The result was a very good cd that musically ventured into sophisticated soul as well as refined dance, pop and fusion. The Heart Of The Man yielded three Top 40 singles on the R&B chart and even hit #1 with a fantastic cover of the late Aretha Franklin’s (1942-2018) classic tune, “ Call Me. ”

The Heart Of The Man was a goldmine of good music. Among the many great songs was a heartfelt rendition of David Foster’s “The Best Of Me.” Co-written by Foster with Richard Marx and Jeremy Lubbock, Perry’s take on this classic love song has been hailed by many as the definitive one. Working with Lubbock in the producer’s seat, the singer oozes emotion and class on his performance resulting in a true showstopper. The arrangement by Lubbock and Foster was quite affected by the programmed sounds of that era. The beautiful vocal performance and the guest appearance of the great Ernie Watts playing the alto saxophone warmed up the atmosphere. Perry performed a memorable live version of “The Best Of Me” on a 1991 double-bill concert with saxophonist Dave Koz that was eventually released on video. That performance was a ten minute vocal tour de force that showcased the singer’s superior chops. Listeners can delight to his vocal elegance on YouTube for those who want to enjoy.

Phil Perry is still making good music today. His last cd, Breathless, was released in 2017 on Shanachie Records. Breathless is another stylish collection of smooth soul and further evidence of Perry’s God-given vocal gift.


Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Phil-Perry-The-Best-of-Me.mp3|titles=The Best Of Me|artists=Phil Perry]

Lead & Backing Vocals: Phil Perry
Alto Saxophone: Ernie Watts
Synthesizers: Jeremy Lubbock
Synthesizer Programming: Randy Waldman

Arranged by Jeremy Lubbock & David Foster
Produced by Jeremy Lubbock


Lyrics

So many years gone still I remember
How did I ever let my heart believe
In one who never gave enough to me?

And so many years gone, love that was so wrong
And I can’t forget the way it used to be
And how you change the taste of love for me

You were my one more chance I never thought I’d find
You were the one romance I’ve always known in my mind
No one will ever touch me more and I only hope that in return
I might’ve saved the best of me for you

And we’ll have no ending, no, no, if we can hold on
An I think I’ve come this far because of you
Could be no other love but ours will do

You were my one more chance I never thought I’d find
You were the one romance I’ve always known in my mind
No one will ever touch me more and I only hope that in return
I might’ve saved the best of me for you

No one will ever touch me more and I only hope that in return
No matter how much we have to learn
I’ve saved the best of me for you