From FEEL NO FRET/VOLUME 8/SHINE/CUPID’S IN FASHION
Written by Larry John McNally
Every time an unknown David Foster-related gem resurfaces from the past, it is an absolute pleasure for fans. This time around we’re presenting a previously unreleased song, “Wasn’t I Your Friend,” that comes directly from Foster’s 1980 work with Average White Band.
The song is part of a special release by Edsel Records that regroups the whole AWB catalogue in four deluxe volumes with a bunch of interesting bonus tracks. It is a must for fans of the great Scottish funksters, but music lovers in general can enjoy a ride through some of the best funk/soul ever made.
The 4th volume includes their late seventies, early eighties works like the self-produced “Feel No Fret,” the two 1980 collaborations with Foster, “Volume VIII” and “Shine,” plus the late Dan Hartman produced “Cupid’s In Fashion.” The bonus material enlists the Foster produced extended version of the disco hit “Let’s Go ‘Round Again,” the recently released classy cover of Boz Scaggs’ “Miss Sun,” and the smooth grooves of “Wasn’t I Your Friend.” This ear candy tune was written by refined singer/songwriter Larry John McNally who recorded it on his very good self-titled album in 1981. AWB’s version presents the usual fantastic vocal interplay between Hamish Stuart and Alan Gorrie backed up by a tight, mid-tempo funk beat. The track is clearly unfinished as it screams for more keys, strings and the classic AWB horns, but is very pleasant nonetheless and still has unmistakable traces of Foster’s touch.
Check it out!
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/wasn_t_i_your_friend.mp3|titles=Wasn’t I Your Friend|artists=Average White Band]
Performed by Average White Band:
Hamish Stuart, Alan Gorrie, Molly Duncan, Roger Ball, Onnie McIntyre & Steve Ferrone
Piano: David Foster
Produced by David Foster
Lyrics
There’s so little you can count on
So little on which you can rely
And now I feel like a fool for choosing you
To put my faith behind
‘Coz when you’re goin’ down
I was your best friend
Now you’re winning
And I don’t see you again
Wasn’t I your friend
Aren’t friends forever
Or have you forgotten in time
Wasn’t I your friend
Didn’t we face the good and bad together
When you were a friend of mine
Now you and me
I thought we were past all those games
Friends as well as lovers
Different from the others
But now we’re drifting apart just the same
Oh when you were goin’ down
I was your best friend
Now you’re winning
And I don’t see you again
Wasn’t I your friend
Aren’t friends forever
Or have you forgotten in time
Wasn’t I your friend
Didn’t we face the good and bad together
When you were a friend of mine
Wasn’t I your friend
Through thick and thin
Until the bitter end
Wasn’t I your friend
Oh when you were goin’ down
I was your best friend
Now you’re winning
And I don’t see you again
Wasn’t I your friend
Aren’t friends forever
Or have you forgotten in time
Wasn’t I your friend
Didn’t we face the good and bad together
When you were a friend of mine