From SKYLARK
Written by David Foster & Renee Olstead
In the first decade of the new millennium, David Foster had an impressive string of hit records for two gifted newcomers, Michael Bublè and Josh Groban. During the same time, Foster produced two CDs for another very young and remarkable singer named Renee Olstead. An American actress and singer, Ms. Olstead as an actress was best known as Lauren Miller on the comedy “Still Standing” and on the drama “The Secret Life of an American Teenager” as Madison Cooperstein.
The Hitman gave 100% of his trademark, amazing work in the studio by directing the young songbird to deliver great vocal performances. Foster enlisted his usual A-list of top-notch musicians and arrangers for Olstead’s album while he picked the perfect material that allowed the young actress/vocalist to sparkle. For some inexplicable reason, both records didn’t establish Olstead as a major act even with Foster’s lush production and immaculate tracks that supported her jazzy voice.
If surfing the archives, you’ll find many reviews of songs from Renee Olstead’s self-titled 2004 release and Skylark, the singer’s sophomore CD that came out in 2009.
This week, readers are introduced to “Midnight In Austin, Texas,” a bluesy, big band number from Skylark that Olstead and Foster co-wrote. The young singer handles the lead vocal with great confidence and impressive chops that are supported by special guest Robert Randolph who adds some spirited guitar blues licks to the mix and gave great energy to the track. The rousing big band arrangement was written by the legendary Don Sebesky who orchestrated top jazz albums for some of the biggest names in jazz and pop including the late Chet Baker (1929-1988), Maynard Ferguson (1928-2006) and Wes Montgomery (1923-1968). Foster and his partner, Humberto Gatica, worked their magic in the studio on “Midnight In Austin, Texas”. The result was another convincing answer to those who have always considered Foster as the “King of Adult Contemporary Ballads”.
Foster kindly sent a few lines that echo his thoughts about Renee’s talent:
“Renee was always such a special singer in my life. She was only 13 years old when I first heard her. I truly couldn’t believe the maturity and depth of her voice and her understanding of what the true mission is to sing the classicAmerican songbook. She just simply ‘understood’ it. We did two beautiful albums together and I’m just sorry to say that she didn’t become the superstar that I believed and still do believe she could be. There are times in my career that I felt like maybe I was the wrong choice with certain singers. It’s possible that I wasn’t the right choice for Renee, but she sure wasn’t the wrong choice for me. I marveled every day at her amazing talent.”
Listen
- Lead Vocals: Renee Olstead
- Special Guest on Guitar: Robert Randolph
- Keyboards: David Foster
- Bass: Nathan East
- Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta
- Organ, Programming & Sound Design: Jochem van der Saaz
- Arranged by David Foster
- Horns Arranged by Don Sebesky
- Produced by David Foster & Humberto Gatica
Lyrics
Hey little mister
Where you going to
Caus’ I ain’t got no plans and no one to run home to
So, if you got a minute and you’d like to sit down
I know a place around the corner still open down now
So boy what’s your name what do you do
Either you don’t get familiar
Or look like you used to
But are you from here
Or in from out of town
A girl like me sure would like to show you around
It’s been in Midnight in Austin, Texas
It’d be a shame to waste a Saturday night
It’s been in Midnight in Austin, Texas
If you’re alone right now
You won’t be like that
All night
So boy name your poison
What do you drink
Follow your instincts
It’s far too hot to think
I don’t want to worry
Just pretend to be friends
So I think we both know
How this night’s gonna end
It’s been in Midnight in Austin, Texas
It’d be a shame to waste a Saturday night
It’s been in Midnight in Austin, Texas
If you’re alone right now
You won’t be like that
If you’re alone right now
You won’t be like that
All night
So don’t say you love me
Don’t say that you care
I’m not in a havin’ exclusive affair
Long term relationships may require repair
It’s a shame, shame,
Shame, shame,
Shame, shame
Midnight in Austin, Texas
Be shamed to waste a Saturday night
Midnight in Austin, Texas
And if you’re alone right now
You won’t be like that
Midnight in Austin, Texas
It’d be a shame to waste a Saturday night
Midnight in Austin, Texas
And if you’re alone right now
You won’t be like that
And if you’re alone right now
You won’t be like that
And if you’re alone right now
You’ll be left alone now