from AIRPLAY FOR THE PLANET
Music by Jay Graydon, Joseph Williams & Brett Raymond
In September 1993, Jay Graydon released his first solo cd, Airplay For The Planet. It was a welcome comeback for the veteran producer who basically quit high-profile work after the bittersweet experience of the 1988 Al Jarreau Heart’s Horizon album. His work as a member of the AOR all-star trio, Planet 3 with Clif Magness and Glen Ballard, being the only exception of note.
On Airplay For The Planet,Graydon used an approach similar to David Foster’s River Of Love or Quincy Jones’ solo albums. He enlisted various co-writers and an impressive list of singers and musicians to help him craft the cd. The result was a great record with a string of meticulously recorded tunes that spanned from quality pop with jazzy overtones to gorgeous ballads and energetic rockers. Among the top-notch names appearing on Airplay For The Planet were Joseph Williams, Steve Lukather and Steve Porcaro from Toto, Bill Champlin from Chicago, Bill Cantos, the late Warren Wiebe (1953-1998), Bruce Gaitsch, Pat Mastelotto, Sherwood Ball and Janey Clewer. Graydon also asked his old pal Foster to appear on the cd. Together, they delivered a fantastic new version of their classic “After The Love Is Gone” with vocals by the co-writer, Champlin. Foster also played piano on another ballad titled “When You Look In My Eyes.”
“When You Look In My Eyes” was co-written by Graydon with Brett Raymond and Joe Williams, who handled the lead vocal. “When You Look In My Eyes” was a dreamy song with a beautiful melody and delicate, understated vocals by the legendary Toto singer that was just supported by Foster’s colorful piano playing. The song was so amazing that it could have been on one of Toto’s million selling albums.
Airplay For The Planet was chock-full of other great songs. Two refined ballads were handled by Wiebe, “Roxann” and “You’re Not Alone.” Or listen to the Steely Dan-influenced number “She Just Can’t Make Up Her Mind,” co-written and sung by Champlin. Airplay For The Planet was proof that Graydon’s talent was still intact.
Graydon eventually formed an all-star band with many of the guys involved on the cd. They toured twice in Japan and Scandinavia performing the album live as well as selected tracks from the legendary Airplay.
Listen
- Lead Vocals: Joseph Williams
- Piano: David Foster
- Synth Programming: Jay Graydon & John van Tongeren
- Synthesizer: Brett Raymond
- Produced by Jay Graydon
Lyrics
Thought I was through with love
Thought it was over
Didn’t need what I needed before
The never-ending story had an ending after all
And it hurts you when you fall
Guess I didn’t believe enough
Didn’t think it could happen
I gave up on myself long ago
Love had me believing then it turned and closed the door
I couldn’t trust it anymore
But I’m beginning to doubt my doubts
And I’m losing faith in my faithlessness
All the grey above is clearing, becoming blue sky
When you look in my eyes
But here in reality
It gets so confusing
Why are old habits hard to break
My heart’s afraid of losing so I haven’t played the game
It always seems to end the same
But I’m beginning to doubt my doubts
And I’m losing faith in my faithlessness
All the grey above is clearing, becoming blue sky
I’m beginning to feel again
And I’m losing what’s left on my thoughtlessness
The sun has begun to come out in my life
When you look in my eyes
You gave me something more
It’s like I’d never loved before
But I’m beginning to doubt my doubts
And I’m losing faith in my faithlessness
All the grey above is clearing, becoming blue sky
I’m beginning to feel again
And I’m losing what’s left on my thoughtlessness
The sun has begun to come out in my life
When you look in my eyes.