From NIGEL
Written by David Foster, Nigel Olsson & Ronn Price
Nigel Olsson is the legendary drummer who has been part of Elton John’s band (with a couple of breaks) for the past thirty-five years. “Cassey Blue/Au Revoir” was co-written with David Foster and included on his 1978 album, “Nigel Olsson.” “Cassey Blue” starts as a sweet ballad, but it suddenly develops into a showcase for Foster who arranges the long symphonic part and plays a very intense acoustic piano break. With an almost classical middle section, “Au Revoir” begins and concludes in a more typical ballad style.
Foster co-wrote three songs on the record that was re-released one year later in the USA with a different title, “Nigel,” and a slightly different track listing that included two minor Billboard hits; “A Little Bit Of Soap” and “Dancin’ Shoes.”
Olsson doesn’t have a very distinctive voice, but it works nicely with the material here even if he strains a little on a few notes. On the other hand, the music is really good here, sweet and breezy in the same pop/AC vein as Barry Manilow or Leo Sayer. The musicianship is first class as well with guests like Paul Schaffer, Jay Graydon, Marilyn Scott, Brenda Russell, Ray Cooper, Bruce Johnston and many others.
Nigel Olsson released another good record in 1980 entitled “Changing Tides.” It included a nice cover of Airplay’s “Should We Carry On.” The drummer also appeared on Foster’s “River Of Love” in 1990. Here’s what Nigel Olsson had to say about David Foster in an interview:
“I’ve done some things recently with David Foster. I love working with him though I don’t ever really know what it’s for when I’m doing it. He tends to cut tracks in the studio and nobody knows who will end up singing the vocals. I always have fun working with David. I’ve known him a long, long time. We used to work a lot together and we have a great comfort zone together because we are on the same wavelength musically.”
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/cassey_blue_au_revoir.mp3|titles=Cassey Blue/Au Revoir|artists=Nigel Olsson]
Lead Vocal: Nigel Olsson
Guitars: Richie Zito, Jay Graydon & Ronn Price
Keyboards: David Foster
Bass: Joe Chemay & Don Barrett
Drums: Nigel Olsson & Mike Baird
Percussion: Nigel Olsson & Ray Cooper
Backing Vocals: Paul Davis, Nigel Olsson etc.
Orchestral arrangement by David Foster
Vocal arrangement by Nigel Olsson & Paul Davis
Produced by Paul Davis & Nigel Olsson
Lyrics
CASSEY BLUE
Please don’t cry because of me
You know that I’ll come back to
See it through
Sweet Cassey Blue
No it’s not a dream that can’t come true
‘Cause I’ll spend my waking hours with
You too Cassey Blue
Just believe what mummy says
‘Cause she’ll be there to do the rest,
It’s true
My Cassey Blue
Cassey Blue
We say hello and then goodbye
I love you very much, don’t cry
See you soon Cassey Blue
AU REVOIR
Au Revoir is not goodbye
But leavin’ you still makes me cry
Here I sit and wonder why
It feels so right
You say bonjour it means hello
We’re not quite sure which way to go
If they only knew the way we were
They’d be surprised
‘Cause they never really knew it
But there’s really something to this
Love of mine
So don’t look so sad
Think of all that we have
You think it’s not enough for me
But don’t you think it’s plain to see
It’s just a phase we’re going through
You are my life
So it’s Au Revoir for you and I
‘Cause we just can’t bring ourselves
To say goodbye
Here I sit and wonder why
It feels so right
‘Cause they never really knew it
But there’s really something to this
Love of mine
So don’t look so sad
Think of all that we have
Au Revoir is not goodbye
But leavin’ you still makes me cry
Here I sit and wonder why
It feels so right
Au Revoir
Au Revoir