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THE UGLY ONE

from THE KEANE BROTHERS
Written by Tom Keane & B.J. Cook

The Keane Brothers was a teen act on the 20th Century Records music label whom released their debut album in 1977. The self-titled The Keane Brothers album was David Foster’s second full-fledged production after Jaye P. Morgan’s 1976 self-titled debut album. Both albums were recorded at the famed LA Studio City Studios in Van Nuys with the esteemed Keith Olsen in the engineer seat. Only in his mid-twenties at the time, Foster produced and arranged these two projects that gave immediate proof of his superior ear and skills.

The Keane Brothers presented pristine musical parts crafted by Foster and played by a who’s who in the LA session world of that era including Larry Carlton and Jay Graydon on guitar, the late Jeff Porcaro (1954 to 1992) and Ed Greene on drums, Bill Champlin on vocals and the Tower Of Power horns. John and especially Tom Keane showed impressive talent at such a young age.

The two kids were 11 and 12 years old respectively at the time, but their vocal and instrumental skills were clearly above their age. As the older brother, Tom also wrote or co-wrote all but one of the songs on the album. The tunes were nice pop ditties with naïve lyrics, but musically solid thanks to Foster’s inventive arrangements and sophisticated musical ideas. The string of ear-candy musical jams ranged from pop to light rock to funky/soul. The Song of the Week is a funky jam called “The Ugly One.”

Co-written by Tom Keane with Foster’s then wife B.J. Cook, “The Ugly One” sports a soulful beat with a musical architecture that was a preview of the terrific work that Foster will soon deliver with Champlin on the legendary singer’s 1978 Single album. Unsurprisingly, Champlin arranged the vocal parts and clearly taught Keane all his trademark tricks although such a young voice lacked the grittiness and soulfulness of the great teacher. The song featured amazing keyboard work and tight horns to beef up the sound on top of the groovin’ rhythm section (it was the 70s, after all). Other good songs from The Keane Brothers can be found in the archives including the minor hit “Sherry” and the pop ballad “Amy (Show The World You’re There).”


Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/THE-KEANE-BROTHERS-the-ugly-one.mp3|titles=The Ugly One|artists=Tom Keane]

 

Lead Vocals: Tom Keane
Keyboards & Synthesizers: David Foster & Tom Keane
Guitars: Jay Graydon & Larry Carlton
Drums: Harvey Mason, Ed Greene & Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Mike Porcaro, David Hungate & Dave McDaniels
Percussion: Victor Feldman & Willie Ornelas
Horns: Tower Of Power Horns (Emilio Castillo, Greg Adams, Lenny Pickett, Steve Kupka & Mic Gillette)
Background Vocals: Bill Champlin & John Keane

Background Vocals Arranged by Bill Champlin & Nigel Olsson
Horns Arranged by Greg Adams
Produced & Arranged by David Foster


Lyrics

No Lyrics