Menu Close

Tag: 2016

LOVE ME TONIGHT

from NIELSEN/PEARSON
Written by Reed Nielsen & Mark Pearson

This week, go back to 1980 and the sophisticated soft/rock music of Nielsen/Pearson. The late Reed Nielsen (died November 15, 2014) and his partner Mark Pearson were among those gifted musicians who walked the quality pop road. On their Nielsen/Pearson album, they wrote songs with beautiful melodies, great hooks and arranged them with an irresistible jazzy flavor not far from the Steely Dan or Gino Vannelli world. Lyrically, they were more conventional than Donald Fagen and Walter Becker of Steely Dan. Nielsen’s and Pearson’s music presented similar, unusual chord changes and superior musicianship delivered by session aces comprising of Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Neil Stubenhaus on bass, Charles “Icarus” Johnson on guitar, Tom Scott and Chuck Findley playing the horns.

Read more →

GOTTA GET BACK TO LOVE

from RUNAWAY
Written by Tom Kelly & Kerry Hatch

It’s plain and simple: Bill Champlin’s 1981 album Runaway is a quality pop masterpiece. Superbly crafted by the legendary, Oakland-born singer/songwriter with the fundamental help of the supremely gifted David Foster, Runaway is a joy for the trained ears of the most refined music lovers with its eclectic mix of rock, pop and soul. Go to the archives to read about delicious musical gems like “Satisfaction,” “The Fool Is All Alone” or “Sara.” From one track to the other, the listener is taken to precious smooth ballads and high-tech pop/rockers that rival the best material of Toto, Earth, Wind & Fire, Boz Scaggs or Kenny Loggins.

Read more →

ALL IT TAKES

from NIGEL
Written by David Foster & Nigel Olsson

Nigel Olsson’s name is unavoidably associated with Elton John’s band. Olsson has played drums on and off with the UK superstar since the early seventies for over 2,000 live shows and dozens of studio recordings. Olsson appeared on seminal albums like Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player, 21 At 33, Caribou, up to Sir Elton’s most recent recording titled Wonderful Crazy Night released February 2016.

Read more →

INSIDE

from THE BOY IS MINE
Written by Diane Warren

Diane Warren and David Foster basically owned the adult pop field in the nineties. The California-born, gifted songwriter wrote staples including “Because You Loved Me,” “Un-break My Heart,” “Music Of My Heart” and “Have You Ever” which were all superbly crafted by the Canadian super-producer and can be found in the archives. Another of their hit collaborations was the 1997 ballad, “For You I Will.” Warren wrote and Foster produced “For You I Will” for the young pop/R&B diva Monica (born Monica Denise Arnold). That song became a platinum seller and was included on the smash hit soundtrack of “Space Jam” starring basketball legend Michael Jordan.

Read more →

WHEN THIS LOVE AFFAIR IS OVER

from BI-COASTAL
Written by David Foster & Peter Allen

1980 was a pivotal year for David Foster’s career. The previous year saw his first big achievement with Earth, Wind & Fire’s I Am. The young music-maker went on to craft several ear-candy productions for Boz Scaggs, Average White Band, Tavares, the late Peter Allen (February 10, 1944 to June 18, 1992) and his own Airplay project that won the hearts of the many quality pop aficionados worldwide. Foster’s music was, way back when, an irresistible mix of pop, soul and rock delivered with catchy hooks and jazz-influenced arrangements.

Read more →