This week, let’s go back to the mid-seventies when David Foster was a young, A-list session player, but already developing other impressive skills as an arranger and songwriter. One of Foster’s main connections of those years was with Sir Elton John’s legendary drummer, Nigel Olsson. Foster co-wrote, arranged and played on several tracks of Olsson’s 1975 self-titled album.

One of those collaborations was entitled “Something’s Lacking In Me.” That irresistible, up-tempo jam was inspired by the finest Philadelphia soul that can be found in the archives. Another Foster/Olsson co-write on Nigel Olsson was “Girl We’ve Got To Keep On,” a romantic ballad that’s this Song of the Week.

“Girl We’ve Got To Keep On” shows the impressive melodic appeal of those early Foster instrumental tracks. It had an acoustic piano-based arrangement, harmonic progression with sweeping strings and evocative vocal harmonies which foreshadow those successful things that will come to Foster in the next few years. Vocally, Olsson handled the material well. Olsson’s tenor often went into a delicate falsetto and flowed rather nicely with the song’s melody. “Girl We’ve Got To Keep On” was one of the singles released from Nigel Olsson, but, like its parent album and despite its evident radio-friendly appeal, it didn’t chart. 

Listen

• Lead Vocals & Drums: Nigel Olsson
• Keyboards: David Foster
• Guitar: Steve Cropper, Richie Zito, Dean Parks
• Bass: Dee Murray
• Backing Vocals: Carmen Twillie, Venette Gloud & Kathy Collieren Twillie, Venette Gloud & Kathy Collier
• Strings Arrangement by Gene Page
• Produced by Robert Appere

Lyrics

No Lyrics

Written by David Foster, Carole Bayer Sager & Deniece Williams

In 1980, renown soul/R&B act, the Tavares, released an album titled Supercharged. The five brothers (Ralph Edward Vierra Tavares, Pooch – Arthur Paul Tavares, Chubby – Antone Lee Tavares, Butch – Feliciano Vierra Tavares, Jr. and Tiny – Perry Lee Tavares) from Providence , Rhode Island were responsible for previous hits including “Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel” and “It Only Takes A Minute.” Tavares worked on Supercharged with David Foster who produced a couple of tracks. The emergent Canadian music-maker reworked a pair of songs with Tavares, “We Both Tried” and “I Don’t Want You Anymore.”

Foster originally co-wrote and crafted the songs with Bill Champlin for the legendary vocalist’s 1978 album, Single. “We Both Tried” was a tender ballad beautifully performed by Tavares. “I Don’t Want You Anymore” was a funky/rock jam with jazzy chord changes that showcased Foster’s quality pop work of those days. “I Don’t Want You Anymore” has been reviewed and was a single released from Supercharged. The b-side of the single was another Foster co-written composition entitled “Why Can’t We Fall In Love.”

Originally included on Deniece Williams’ beautiful 1979 album, When Love Comes Calling, “Why Can’t We Fall In Love” was co-written with Carole Bayer Sager and Williams and produced for Tavares by up ’n’ coming producer/arranger Benjamin Wright, Jr. Foster’s original arrangement for Williams was smooth, elegant and influenced by Earth, Wind & Fire’s classy, jazz-influenced sounds. Wright took the song in another direction by giving it a breezy feel with a mid-tempo beat thus bringing the song into classic Philadelphia soul territory. Butch Tavares’ vocal performance was a knock-out with his tenor often going into falsetto and the groups’ trademark vocal harmonies were equally noteworthy. The backing track was played by top-notch aces including Harvey Mason on drums, James Jamerson, Jr. on bass, John Barnes on keyboards and the late David Williams on guitar. Wright also provided some lush strings and horns to enhance the level of sophistication on the track. Although partial to Williams’ original take for her pyrotechnics vocals and Foster’s amazing work, Tavares did an exceptional job on “Why Can’t We Fall In Love” and they deserve high praise for the ear-candy result.

The entire Supercharged album has aged well and is worth a listen. For those who want to listen to Williams’ take, just click here.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Why-cant-we-fall-in-love-Tavares.mp3|titles=Why Can’t We Fall In Love|artists=Butch Tavares]

Lead Vocal: Butch Tavares
Backing Vocals: Ralph Tavares, Pooch Tavares, Chubby Tavares & Tiny Tavares
Bass: James Jamerson Jr.
Drums: Harvey Mason
Guitar: David Williams
Keyboards: John Barnes
Percussion: Eddie “Bongo” Brown, Frederick Walker
Synthesizer: Jim Hirsen
Reeds: Fred Jackson & Jeff Clayton
Trombone: Don Cook, Garnett Brown, Maurice Spears & George Bohanon
Trumpet: Bobby Bryant, Nolan Smith & Oscar Brashear

Produced by Benjamin Wright, Jr.

Lyrics

No Lyrics

written by Daryl Hall & John Oates

December 1978 saw the release of “I Don’t Wanna Lose You,” the second single from Daryl Hall & John Oates’ album “Along The Red Ledge.” Produced by David Foster, “I Don’t Wanna Lose You” is an elegant mid-tempo, pop/soul song that was clearly inspired by the classic Philadelphia Sound and Philly Soul.

That music style was created in the Seventies by gifted producers/arrangers like Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, Thom Bell and Dexter Wansel. They infused jazzy, refined arrangements enriched by lush strings and horns to their smooth soul/funk material. Among the most important names of this genre include Teddy Pendergrass, The O’Jays, The Stylistics and Billy Paul. Hall & Oates’ “I Don’t Wanna Lose You” had all the key elements of that kind of sound with its breezy, ear-candy melody, refined atmosphere and catchy refrain. On this number, Hall reaffirms himself as one of the best pop/soul singers of the modern era with a top notch vocal performance. The stellar instrumental back-up, arranged by Hall & Oates with Foster, was made even more special with Gene Page’s fantastic strings arrangement. Foster’s production shows the first seeds of his genius and the final result is an absolute joy to hear. “I Don’t Wanna Lose You” reached #42 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and was also a minor hit at #49 on the Adult Contemporary chart. “August Day,” a magnificent, rarefied ballad also from “Along The Red Ledge,” was the single’s b-side. You can read our review of “August Day” here.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/i_-don_t_wanna_lose_you.mp3|titles=I Don’t Wanna lose You|artists=Daryl Hall]

Lead Vocals: Daryl Hall
Guitars: Caleb Quaye & John Oates
Keyboards: David Foster & Daryl Hall
Drums: Roger Pope
Bass: Kenny Passarelli
Saxophone: Charlie De Chant
Backing Vocals: Daryl Hall & John Oates
Arranged by Daryl Hall, John Oates & David Foster
Strings Arranged by Gene Page
Produced by David Foster

Lyrics
You and I have separate lives girl
You and I go different ways on roads that cross
When love and loss is ruled by fate
People have a tragic habit
Of letting love get in the way
They tend to lose their overviews and overplay
Something I wanna say
Something I’ve got to do
Feels like you’re drifting away
And I don’t wanna lose you
I’ll try to find a way to encourage you
It’s easy to convince myself
Cause I can’t believe you’d wanna be with somebody else
People have a tragic habit
Of letting love get in the way
They tend to lose their overviews and overplay
Something I wanna say
Something I’ve got to do
Feels like you’re drifting away
And I don’t wanna lose you

written by Peter Cincotti & John Bettis

Peter Cincotti’s 2007 album, “East Of Angel Town,” was produced by David Foster, Humberto Gatica and Jochem van der Saag. With the help of Foster’s dream team, the talented, young singer/songwriter/piano player made the transition from being the next Harry Connick, Jr. to an updated version of the best Billy Joel of the seventies.His music changed from a jazz/traditional pop setting to a modern pop with irresistible jazzy flavors. “East Of Angel Town” was a kaleidoscope of refined, original pop songs with smart lyrics, top notch performances and brilliant arrangements. Foster left Cincotti the right space to express his talent and the result is nothing short of impressive.

“East Of Angel Town” was anticipated by the release of “Goodbye Philadelphia,” an emotional ballad with a bittersweet atmosphere. Cincotti’s vocal performance is really noteworthy, showcasing his falsetto on the catchy refrain. Not only are there hints of Bill Joel’s brilliance, “Goodbye Philadelphia” has flavors of Elton John and even Tears For Fears all fused into Cincotti’s superior personality. The song was also part of an EP that included two gems from the album; “Angel Town” with its rock/jazz overtones and the magnificent ballad “Cinderella Beautiful” that wouldn’t have sounded out of place on Joel’s milestone record, “The Stranger.” The single was well received in Europe with good radio airplay like the whole “East Of Angel Town” album.

The biggest problem with “East Of Angel Town” was Cincotti’s label, Warner Music Group, postponed the USA release for over a year and that took away a lot of its potential. Our opinion is that the album was probably too refined and adventurous for the flat music world currently popular. It was made of great songs, musically and lyrically, not just fancy clothes and a weak refrain that’s what’s typically seen on MTV today. Cincotti’s album wasn’t pop, wasn’t jazz and it struggled like the vast majority of those who walk the fine line between the two genres. This is music that rarely gets played on radio and doesn’t sell big numbers unless your name is Steely Dan, but it’s the kind of music we love and will always support!

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/goodbye_philadelphia.mp3|titles=Goodbye Philadelphia|artists=Jon Anderson]

Lead Vocals & Piano: Peter Cincotti
Drums: Obed Calvari
Bass: Barak Mori
Acoustic Guitar: Dean Parks
Electric Guitar: Michael Thompson

Arranged by Peter Cincotti
Produced by David Foster, Humberto Gatica & Jochem van der Saag

Lyrics

Just like Philadelphia
Freedom means a lot to me
In between the place I’ve been
And where I’m going

I can see America
Trying not to show her age
Even though the winds of change
Keep on blowing
And i would lay your body down and rock your tears away
But it’s much too late for now to be like yesterday
And the time is running out and we still have to say
Goodbye

Remember, Philadelphia
When the world was young and warm
So in love and living for
Everything new

But I know, Philadelphia
The winter wind will slowly take
Your heart and soul until it makes
Nothing of you

And i would lay your body down and rock your tears away
But it’s much too late for now to be like yesterday
And the time is running out and we still have to say
Goodbye

Flash a peace sign take a bow
Though we may not know it now
Things are never gonna be the same

Here on seventh avenue
I tip my old top hat to you
I hope you find somebody who
Will love you like i do
’cause i would lay your body down and rock your tears away
But it’s much too late for now to be like yesterday
And the time is running out and we still have to say
Goodbye
Goodbye
Goodbye
Goodbye, Philadelphia

The Keane Brothers started in the seventies as children prodigies, releasing albums and appearing on famous TV shows. Their first record was one of David Foster’s first productions and it showcases the precocious talent of Tom and John Keane who were just 12 and 10 respectively when it was released in 1976. Amazingly enough Tom Keane basically wrote all the material on it and sang it with John. They also had a good hit single from that record with “Sherry” written by Dwayne Ford.
Two years later they released their second work, “Takin’ Off” which was produced by Lamont Dozier with two tracks produced by Foster with David Paich. The Dozier produced tunes are more in a soul/Philadelphia sound vein while Foster and Paich bring the Keanes to their fine pop territory.

“One Thing On My Mind” is a very good uptempo song with Tom Keane’s aggressive vocal performance surrounded by keyboards and strings played and arranged by the two Davids.

After this record the two brothers formed another band, “Keane”, in the early eighties and recorded two good pop/rock albums that earned them the title of “Little Toto”, take a listen and you’ll understand the reason why.

Through the years Tom Keane has also written famous hit songs with Foster like “Through The Fire” and “Will You Still Love Me” and has produced people like Celine Dion and Taylor Dayne. He is a world class talent still writing and producing to these days, you have also to check out his last cd entitled “Smoove And Juicy Covers” where he sings and plays some of the best hits of his songwriting career.

John Keane today is writing music for famous TV shows like “C.S.I. (Crime Investigation Scene)” and has been playing drums for many big names including Chicago, Michael Bolton and Richard Marx. He has also released, in 1999, an interesting solo entitled “Straight Away”.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/one_thing_on_my_mind.mp3|titles=one thing on my mind|artists=Keane]

Lead Vocal: Tom Keane
Keyboards: David Foster & David Paich
Electric Guitars: David T. Washington
Drums: James Gadson & Rick Calhoun
Backing Vocals: Tom and John Keane
Produced & Arranged by David Foster & David Paich

Lyrics

NO LYRICS