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Tag: Alan Gorrie

LOVE GIVES, LOVE TAKES AWAY

from ON THE STRIP – THE SUNSET SESSIONS
Written by Alan Gorrie

The UK label, Demon Records, has recently released On The Strip – The Sunset Sessions, a 2LP vinyl set that’s a special reconfiguration of Average White Band’s classic 1980 Shine album. To celebrate Shine’s 40th anniversary release with Demon Records and with the support of current and past members of the legendary Scottish group, On The Strip – The Sunset Sessions has been rebuilt to include tracks that were recorded on the Shine sessions, but didn’t make the final cut or were eventually released on a later compilation.

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INTO THE NIGHT

From INTO THE NIGHT (single)

Written by Alan Gorrie, Hamish Stuart & Roger Ball

This week, the song in the spotlight is “Into The Night,” a monster, funky jam by Average White Band. The legendary, Scottish funksters wrote this irresistible jam for their 1980 album Shine. Produced by David Foster, Shine is a goldmine for the lovers of the most sophisticated music with its impeccable mix of soul, funk and pop. Under Foster’s guidance, AWB evolves in the same league as Earth, Wind & Fire and The Doobie Brothers with a sound made of superior songwriting, spectacular musicianship and top-notch vocal harmonies.

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LOVE WON’T GET IN THE WAY

 from ALL THE PIECES

written by Alan Gorrie, Hamish Stuart & Gavin Christopher

Today, let’s go back to the late ’70s and the fantastic funk/soul sounds of the Average White Band. In our opinion, there are three main reasons to again showcase the magic of these legendary Scottish funksters. First and foremost, AWB had strong songwriting skills and tight musicianship to support the stellar voices of Alan Gorrie and Hamish Stuart. They, along with their gifted bandmates, made Average White Band one of the top R&B weapons of the era. Secondly, the most important parts of the AWB catalogue were handled by iconic producers like the late Arif Mardin and the young and ridiculously talented David Foster. And third, the recent release of a spectacular box-set entitled “All The Pieces: The Complete Studio Recordings 1971-2003.”

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FOR YOU FOR LOVE

From PICKIN’ UP THE PIECES: THE BEST OF AVERAGE WHITE BAND (1974-1980)
Written by Bill Champlin & Roger Ball

The Average White Band is, without a doubt, one of the best R&B/soul groups ever. These talented Scottish funksters have delighted the ears and souls of legions of fans during the course of their long career. The years between 1974 and 1980 saw the first incarnation of the band releasing a string of amazing hit records. Their main influence was the great soul/funk American tradition of masters like Marvin Gaye, yet they also incorporated sophisticated pop textures of people like Burt Bacharach.

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GROWING PAINS

From VOLUME VIII
Written by David Foster, Alan Gorrie & Hamish Stuart

David Foster’s collaboration with The Average White Band didn’t achieve chart action in the USA, but was quite successful in the UK. In terms of artistic values, it stands as one of his best productions ever.

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