from Nigel Olsson
words by Nigel Olsson & Jozy Pollock – Music by David Foster
Better known as the legendary drummer of Elton John’s band, Nigel Olsson is also a pretty good singer/songwriter in his own right. In the seventies he released a couple of catchy pop albums that included several collaborations with the young and talented, David Foster. On “Nigel Olsson,” released in 1978 and produced by Paul Davis, Foster co-wrote five tracks with the singer/drummer and played keyboards throughout the record.
There’s a series of dramatic ballads like “All It Takes,” “Cassey Blue” and “Right Or Wrong” that are great indicators of Foster’s blooming talent as songwriter, arranger and keyboard player. Olsson doesn’t have a very distinctive voice but handles that demanding material well with his tenor that often develops into falsetto. Another beautiful ballad co-written by Foster and Olsson on the album is “Please Don’t Tease.” It’s a keyboard-based number, with great vocal harmonies and orchestration that after a slow start speeds up a little and ends with elegant piano and fender rhodes soloing by Foster and Paul Shaffer. “Nigel Olsson” was released in the US, in 1979, with a different title “Nigel” and different artwork and also presented a slightly different track listing. Unfortunately two gorgeous ballads like “Please Don’t Tease” and “Right Or Wrong” were left out in favour of two more commercial up-tempo songs, “A Little Bit Of Soap” and “Dancin’ Shoes” that became minor hits on the charts.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/please_don_t_tease.mp3|titles=Please Don’t Tease|artists=Nigel Olsson]
Lead Vocals: Nigel Olsson
Keyboards: David Foster & Paul Schaffer
Drums: Nigel Olsson
Bass: Joe Chemay & Leland Sklar
Electric & Acoustic Guitars: Jay Graydon, Steve Cropper, Dean Parks & Richie Zito
Percussion: Nigel Olsson, Ray Cooper & James Stroud
Backing Vocals: Paul Davis, Bruce Jonhston, Jimmy Haas, John Joyce, Brenda Russell etc.
Orchestral Arrangements by David Foster
Produced by Paul Davis & Nigel Olsson
Lyrics
No Lyrics