from THE ESSENTIAL BOZ SCAGGS
written by David Foster & Boz Scaggs
When writing the weekly reviews, David Foster’s work is often described as “elegant” and “sophisticated.” Those terms certainly apply to most of the music maker’s extraordinary body of work, but they are especially fitting for Foster’s pop/soul productions of the late seventies and early eighties.
“Simone,” the Boz Scaggs’ tune co-written and arranged by Foster for the singer’s 1980 “Middle Man” album, is a damn fine example. This mid-tempo number with its irresistible groove belongs to Scaggs’ stylish musical goldmine with other jewels like “Lowdown” and “Jojo.” “Simone” has a catchy melody, jazzy chord changes, top notch instrumental accompaniment plus strings and horns to die for. The pristine production was handled by famed engineer Bill Schnee. The backup musicians were a list for who’s who. There was Foster with David Paich on keyboards and synths, the sparkling Jerry Hey horns, the late Jeff Porcaro on drums with his Toto colleagues Steve Lukather and David Hungate respectively on guitar and bass plus the rhythm guitar work of Ray Parker, Jr. Scaggs’ soulful voice shines on this refined jam. The veteran bay area singer was at his best and delivered some of the best blue-eyed soul ever recorded.
To discover or re-discover Scaggs’ magic, look for the recently released compilation entitled “The Essential Boz Scaggs.” This double cd collection comprises his most important work from the 1969 self-titled album up to his 2013 cd “Memphis.”
Let’s round out this review with a few words that Scaggs said about Foster:
“He was just David Foster, he’s a genius.”
‘Nuf said!
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/simone.mp3|titles=Simone|artists=Boz Scaggs]
Lead Vocals: Boz Scaggs
Guitars: Steve Lukather & Ray Parker, Jr.
All Keyboards & Synthesizers: David Foster
Additional Synthesizer: David Paich
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: David Hungate
Backing Vocals: Venetta Fields, Paulette Brown & Bili Thedford
Strings Arrangement by David Foster Produced by Bill Schnee
Lyrics
Darling, let’s stop this pretending
What more is there to say
Here’s to your eyes and my final demise
Oh Simone, it’s you
I knew from the start that my easily touched heart
Was about to go out for a ride
Conquer the room with a touch of perfume
Oh Simone, it’s you
Oh Simone, my heart is breaking
Yes my dear, I think it’s going fast
Got to let me know, got to let it show for it to last
Oh Simone, to hold you
Dance you into the night
On into the dawn, on and on and on to make it right
Make it romantic, make it up I don’t care
Look up and sigh, and even if it’s a lie
Oh Simone, what can I do
What charm could sway me then burn and betray me
But thrill me the way that you do
Second to none, so completely undone
Oh Simone, it’s you
Oh Simone, my heart is breaking
Yes my dear, I think it’s going fast
Got to let me know, got to let it show for it to last
Oh Simone, to hold you, dance you into the night
On into the dawn, on and on and on to make it right
It’s time they told you, it’s about time you knew
Straigthen your gown, throw a Manhatten down
Yes Simone, it’s true
Do you think you’re fooling somebody
Do you think that I can’t see
There’s no doubt, not a trace
It’s all over your face
Oh Simone, it’s me
Oh Simone, my heart is breaking
Yes my dear, I think it’s going fast
Got to let me know, got to let it show for it to last
Oh Simone, to hold you, dance you in to the night
On to the dawn, on and on and on to make it right
Yes my dear, I think it’s going fast