from WE’RE IN THIS LOVE TOGETHER-CELEBRATING AL JARREAU
Written by David Foster, Jay Graydon & Al Jarreau
Chris Walker is a veteran American singer, musician and producer. Walker has worked with many great jazz/R&B artists including a long stint as bass player/vocalist of the late, great Al Jarreau’s (1940-2017) live band.
From the early nineties, Walker released a string of solo albums that gave him a few hit singles on the R&B chart. Walker’s Top Ten hit ballad, “Take Time,” crossed over to Billboard’s Pop and Adult Contemporary charts where it reached #29 and #17 respectively.
Recently, the gifted singer/musician has been busy recording a tribute to his late mentor, Al Jarreau. A true labor of love, We’re In This Love Together-Celebrating Al Jarreau, saw the light of day in May 2019. Produced by Walker with legendary music-maker Larry Williams, former sax player of Seawind and Jarreau’s musical director for more than thirty years, We’re In This Love Together-Celebrating Al Jarreau features fresh and inventive covers of some of the most beloved gems of the vocal virtuoso’s repertoire. For this special project, Walker and Williams enlisted a who’s who of studio legends to appear on the cd, including many of those who played on the original Jarreau sessions. The opening track, “Mornin’,” is a faithful reworking of the famous 1983 hit, co-written by Jarreau with Jay Graydon and David Foster. Both Graydon, who produced many of those magnificent recordings, and Foster played on this new version of “Mornin.” Together they brought to fruition a glorious effect with their trademark guitar and synth which added to the mix of pure joy and melancholy. Throughout the cd, Walker gives stunning vocal performances, sometimes quite unavoidably echoing Jarreau’s classic vocal sounds and scat, but always in a loving, respectful way, always avoiding mere imitation. We’re In This Love Together-Celebrating Al Jarreau features two other songs co-written by Foster and Graydon with Jarreau. One is the ballad evergreen, “After All” while the second is a fresh reworking of “Save Me,” one of the highlights from the seminal Jarreau album. On this number, Walker and Williams bring the song into another dimension by giving it a delicious Latin-jazz spin. Jerry Hey, who did the horns on the original track, helps his pal Williams with the new, amazing horn arrangement that also features a fantastic trumpet solo by the legendary Randy Brecker and some smoking Saxophone playing by Williams. There’s no doubt that Jarreau will be smiling in heaven listening to this ear-candy, feel-good rendition of his song.
We’re In This Love Together-Celebrating Al Jarreau is a rare opportunity to listen to world-class material performed by stellar talents with heart and class, just like in the old days. Among the other names involved are music greats Bob James, Arturo Sandoval, Regina Belle, Will Downing, Greg Phillinganes, Gerald Albright, Paul Jackson, Jr., Kirk Whalum and Dave Koz. Simply put, this cd is a must have!
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/06-Save-Me-Chris-Walker.mp3|titles=Save Me|artists=Chris Walker]
- Lead Vocals & Bass: Chris Walker
- Keys, Tenor Sax & Flute: Larry Williams
- Guitar: Leonardo Amuedo
- Drums: Mark Simmons
- Percussion: Cassio Duarte
- Trumpet Solo: Randy Brecker
- Trumpet: Tom Walsh, Gary Grant & Chuck Findley
- Trombone & Bass Trombone: Bill Reichenbach
- Rhythm Arranged by Larry Williams & Dominique Fillon
- Horns Arranged by Larry Williams & Jerry Hey
- Produced by Larry Williams & Chris Walker
Lyrics
Someone wrote just yesterday
“Love’s in need of love today”
Will there be none tomorrow
Faded feelings, jaded news
Where’s the tender hearts
That love romance, they
Seem so few
So, I write these words to say
Take heart have faith
In love’s tomorrow
Where our precious dreams
Will all come true
Heaven knows what I’ve
Been through
Searching for a heart that’s true
Is there one in a million?
Though I’ve often failed the test
Everyone must journey till
That questioning is through
Shine a star for me to see what
Children see on Christmas morning
Every hope and dream
To be renewed
Heaven only knows how I hope
That chance of love is higher
Than one in a million
I’m a dreamer I confess
But my dreams are only of
The best that we can do
So, I’ll keep on counting sheep
And will not sleep until the dawning
Help me break the news, eternal
Love just beat the blues
Save me from no love
(you oughta save me)
Save me from no love
Say sweet love has come
And is not gone,
There is all, that I want,
This morning
Save me from no love
(you oughta save me)
Save me from no love
Say sweet love has come
And will live on,
Never gone, ever on,
(strong), eternally (forever)
Now I’ve done the best I can, girl
I need a helping hand
Are you one in a million?
People leave without good-byes
Stay with me, for through your
Eyes I see another truth
You’re the star and now I see what
Children see on Christmas morning
Stay and see it through the gift
Of love returned to you
Save me from no love
(you oughta save me)
Save me from no love
Say sweet love has come
And is not gone,
There is all, that I want,
This morning
I’m searchin’ for love, baby,
Been lookin’ today
Somewhere there’s a love, baby,
Do you know the way?
Save me, save me
You’ve got to save me
Save me, save me
Baby, you can save me
Save me, save me
You’ve got to save me
From no love