from U.S.J.
Written by Char
Virtuoso guitarist Char was rightly considered one of the most influential players on the Japanese music scene. He has had a high-profile career spanning over forty years. Char debuted in 1976 with a self-titled album and immediately caught the attention of Japan’s rock/blues music lovers with his eclectic mix of rock, funk and pop delivered with superior guitar playing up-front. Char’s skills attracted the praise of esteemed colleagues like Toto’s axe-man Steve Lukather.
In 1981, Lukather co-produced Char’s album U.S.J. Recorded in Los Angeles, Lukather brought in some of his celebrated friends including Jay Graydon, David Foster and the late Jeff Porcaro (1954 to 1992) to give Char’s music some of the irresistible L.A. deluxe pop sound. In the vaults, there’s already a review of a fantastic instrumental titled “Nice Changes.” This week, the focus is on an enthralling rock/jazz jam titled “Smoky.”
Char had already recorded an original track of “Smoky” on his 1976 debut album. This new version was greatly improved by the spectacular work of those legendary session aces who also delivered a killer arrangement with top-notch performances and solos. Check out the spectacular work of the rhythm section that included Porcaro’s powerful drumming and Foster’s immaculate acoustic piano playing and jazzy solo. The amazing guitars of Char and Lukather dominate the track and “Smoky” had only one weak point; the guitarist’s vocal performance. Another singer’s presentation would have made this song a masterpiece. Foster’s partner in crime, Humberto Gatica was in the engineer’s seat to ensure his trademark, state-of-the-art sound.
U.S.J. offered solid rock tunes with jazz overtones that was easy on the ears. U.S.J. was also of great interest for music fans who love Foster’s classic keyboard playing of the late seventies/early eighties.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/SMOKI-Steve-Lukather-Jeff-Porcaro-David-Foster-Char.mp3|titles=Smoky|artists= Char]
Lead Vocals & Guitar: Char
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Keyboards: David Foster
Bass: Neil Stubenhaus
Guitar: Steve Lukather
Guitar: Jay Graydon
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
Arranged by Jay Graydon, David Foster, Steve Lukather & Char
Produced by Steve Lukather & Char
Lyrics
Smoky, your not my sky
I really want to say good-bye
Money was all your lies
Wish I knew the reason why
Cause my head is clear
All the time I’m free, in my life
Music is like a star
Shining brightly from a far
Magic is like a pole star
Find a way with my guitar
I’ve got know my direction
And I know there’s no connection with my action
Something flowing my brain
Feel so good and there’s no pain
Find myself in the rain
While my friends keep me sane
And I know it ain’t no good
When I’m standing in the sun like a fool
You don’t know all the beauty you posses inside
You just can’t see what I see in you
I see everything I’ve needed
I see my reason for breathing
You’re the only one who holds my world in their hands
You’re everything I am
And if you could see you through my eyes
You’d see someone beautiful
On the inside and outside
So beautiful, you will know how I feel
You’d see, you’d see how much you mean to me
If you could see you through my eyes
If you could see you
You should know no one else could ever take your place
Don’t think I’ll ever stop needing you
I need everything about you
Can’t see a life lived without you
You’re my only heaven
You’re my world, you’re my dream
You’re everything to me
And if you could see you through my eyes
You’d see someone beautiful
On the inside and outside
So beautiful, you will know how I feel
Find more lyrics at ※ Mojim.com
You’d see, you’d see how much you mean to me
If you could see you through my eyes
You would see, you would see
What you mean, mean to me
You would know
There’s no one else I need
You would feel, what I feel
You would know
There’s no way to change
This love I have inside
And if you could see you through my eyes
You’d see someone beautiful
On the inside and outside
So beautiful, you will know how I feel
You’d see, you’d see how much you mean to me
If you could see you through my eyes
You’d see someone beautiful
On the inside and outside
So beautiful, you will know how I feel
You’d see, you’d see how much you mean to me
If you could see you through my eyes
If you could see you, oh through my eyes
If you could see you through my eyes
Oh, through my eyes