In the spring of 1994, David Foster starred in a couple of Japanese concerts in Tokyo and Osaka to celebrate his glorious career. Those shows featured Celine Dion, Peabo Bryson, Japanese music star Anri, Color Me Badd, Jay Graydon and the late Warren Wiebe (1953-1998). Their performances of Foster’s most famous repertoire were backed by an all-star band directed by Foster who also performed on piano with Lee Sklar playing bass, Michael Thompson strumming his guitar, Chester Thompson on drums, the Jerry Hey horns and William Ross conducting the orchestra. Those special concerts resulted in a 90 minute TV special aired on Japanese TV.

For that occasion, Foster released a solo cd for the Asian market titled Love Lights The World. This cd included a string of beautiful new instrumental themes and the anthemic title-track sung by Dion, Bryson and Color Me Badd. The song “Love Lights The World” was also the theme of those JT Superproducers concerts. “Love Lights The World” was already reviewed on these pages as was another gorgeous composition titled, “I’m Only Here For A While” that featured Mark Kibble and Cedric Dent of Take 6. Both reviews can still be found in the archives. Another gem on Love Lights The World was an enchanting piano/orchestra rendition of “The Colour Of My Love,” eventually popularized by Ms. Dion. This week the focus, however, goes to a beautiful instrumental titled, “Small Hands Reach Out.”

Written by Foster with lyrics that were probably added by Wayne Gretzky’s wife Janet, “Small Hands Reach Out” was one of those stirring melodies where Foster takes no prisoners by pulling all the right emotional strings. His flawless work on piano and keyboards sets the poignant atmosphere and perfectly builds the track with the help of supreme guitarist Thompson whose tasteful licks are the ice on this heartrending cake.

After the release of Love Lights The World, Foster didn’t work on other solo projects founded on instrumental themes, but focused on top-notch productions for other artists with amazing success. The timeless music included on cinematic albums like David Foster, The Symphony Sessions or Love Lights The World highlights Foster’s greatness as composer, arranger and pianist. It may well be said that Foster has a multifaceted talent that can be called “second to none.”

Listen

Piano & Keyboards: David Foster
Electric Guitar: Michael Thompson

Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

Na Lyrics

“Merry Christmas, Baby” was a soul/r&b holiday standard supposedly written around 1947 by the late pianist and singer Charles Brown (1922-1999). Brown was a member of Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers who recorded the original version of the song. Eventually it was Johnny Moore (1906-1969), not Brown for unexplained reasons, who was credited for writing “Merry Christmas, Baby” with fellow songwriter Lou Baxter.

Through the years, “Merry Christmas, Baby” has become a standard covered by many singers including superstars Otis Redding (1941-1967), Elvis Presley (1935-1977) and Bruce Springsteen.

The song was reworked for UK superstar Sir Rod Stewart, who made it the title track of his 2012 Christmas album. The whole Merry Christmas Baby project was produced by David Foster. The cd became the most successful festive album of 2012. Merry Christmas Baby reached the top of the charts worldwide with millions of records sold internationally. Stewart’s version of “Merry Christmas Baby” sported a delicious retro-touch and catchy, feel-good power. That positive mood was enhanced by the appearance of r&b star Cee-Lo Green who duets with the Scottish rocker. This groovin’ version, perfectly crafted by the Hitman, was also included on Green’s Cee-Lo Magic Moment that was another big seller of the 2012 holiday season.

Listen

Lead Vocals: Rod Stewart & Cee-Lo Green
Keyboards: David Foster
Guitar: Dean Parks
Percussion: Matt O’Connor
Baritone Saxophone: Don Oestreicher
Trombone & Trumpet: Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews
Tenor Saxophone: Tim McFatter
Synthesizer & Programming: Jochem van der Saag
Backing Vocals: Bridget Cady, Dieyelle Reed & Kimberley Johnson

Horns Arranged by David Foster
Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

Merry Christmas baby
Sure do treat me nice
Merry Christmas baby
Sure do treat me nice
Bought me a diamond ring for Christmas
I feel like I’m in paradise

I feel mighty fine, y’all
I’ve got music on my radio
Feel mighty fine, girl
I’ve got music on my radio, oh, oh, oh
I feel like I’m gonna kiss you
Standing beneath that mistletoe

Santa came down the chimney
Half past three, y’all
Left all them good ole presents
For my baby and for me, ha, ha, ha

Merry Christmas baby
Sure do treat me nice
You bought me all those good ole presents
I love you baby rest of my life

Merry Christmas, girl
Merry, merry, merry Christmas baby
Sure do treat me nice
Merry Christmas baby
I said you sure do treat me nice
You bought all those lovely things, yeah
I feel like I’m in paradise

I wish you a merry Christmas baby
Happy new year, ha
A merry Christams, honey
Everything here is beautiful
I love you, baby
For everything that you give me
I love you, honey

In the new millennium, David Foster has quickly become the go-to producer when it comes to big-budget Christmas projects. The Hitman helmed a string of chart-topping, platinum or multi-platinum holiday albums for superstars Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublè, Mary J. Blige, Josh Groban and Rod Stewart. Foster recently ended his hiatus from the recording studio by producing Bublè’s new #1 cd, Love cd and a track on Barbra Streisand’s recent, critically acclaimed Walls cd.

Another special project to welcome Foster’s fall 2018 comeback is Jessie J’s This Christmas Day, another festive, successful cd to add to his unprecedented track-record. Jessie J is a British pop superstar with a powerful, expressive voice. Since 2011, Jessie J has collected UK and European Top Ten hits like “Domino,” “LaserLight,” “Wild” and “It’s My Party” while building a solid following in North America with hits including “Price Tag,” “Burnin’ Up” and “Bang Bang” with Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj. This Christmas Day is a perfectly crafted collection of classics delivered with the support of Foster on two cuts plus other studio legends including Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Babyface and Rodney Jerkins.

The Hitman crafted an intense, sweet rendition of “Silent Night” and the Song of the Week, “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town.” This track features a swinging arrangement with full orchestra arranged and conducted by the amazing Chris Walden. The musicians appearing on the song are, as usual on Foster’s projects, seasoned studio stars including Peter Erskine on drums, Brian Bromberg on bass, Alan Pasqua on piano and Andrew Sinowiec on guitar. Jessie J’s performance, under Foster’s keen direction, is spectacular and makes this song the perfect start to a very entertaining Christmas album. “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town” is also the first single off the cd and a great choice with its catchy beat and jazzy atmosphere.

This Christmas Day reached #1 on Billboard’s Top Holiday Albums chart, but only got to #48 on Billboard’s Top 200. Probably the adult feel of the overall recording distanced the singer’s teen audiences. However, the cd stands as one of the Best Holiday Recordings of 2018.

Listen

Lead & Background Vocals: Jessie J
Piano: Alan Pasqua
Bass: Brian Bromberg
Guitar: Andrew Sinowiec
Drums: Peter Erskine
Synthesizer & Programming: Jochem van der Saag

Orchestral Arrangement by Chris Walden
Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

You better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout, I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming, mmm
Santa Claus is coming to town

You better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout, I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town, mmm
He’s making a list, he’s checking it twice
He’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice
Santa Claus is coming to town, yeah

He sees you when you’re sleeping
He knows when you’re awake
He knows if you’ve been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake

You better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout, I’m telling you why
‘Cause Santa Claus is coming to town, yeah

He sees you when you’re sleeping
He knows when you’re awake
He knows if you’ve been bad or good
So be good for goodness

Said you better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout, I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town, yeah
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming, yes, whoo, to town

Here comes old Santa Claus
Here comes Santa
He’s coming and it won’t be long
It won’t be long
Here comes old Santa Claus
In his red suit
He’s coming and it won’t be long
He’s coming for you
Here comes old Santa Claus
Yeah yeah
He’s coming and it won’t be long
He’s coming for you
Here comes old Santa Claus
Oh yeah

Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming to town
Santa Claus is coming, yes, to town, to town
Merry Christmas

Eliane Elias is a brilliant Brazilian jazz pianist, vocalist, arranger and songwriter who appears on the international music scene in the early eighties. To this day, she has released a long string of critically acclaimed records. Ms. Elias can attest to having a Grammy and Latin Grammy under her belt plus several deserved nominations. Ms. Elias is equally at ease playing straight jazz, fusion, classical or Brazilian music. She also delivers beautiful vocal performances.

In 1986, the San Paolo-born musician released her second album, lllusions, for the renowned Denon Records jazz label. This was Ms. Elias’ first time at the band leader podium. On that record, the virtuoso pianist performed several of her compositions and a few carefully picked covers. Among those covers was a fantastic rendition of Chaka Khan’s 1984 hit, “Through The Fire.” Ms. Elias took the immortal song, co-written by David Foster, Cynthia Weil and Tom Keane, and turned it into a nocturne jazz standard performed by her piano with the help of two music giants; drummer Lenny White and bassist Stanley Clarke. This clever cover was a work of art where heart and technique meet with astonishing musical results. “Through The Fire” has been covered many times by famous singers and players, but Ms. Elias’ reworking stands as one of the most original and intense covers ever made.

Illusions offered many other gems including the gorgeous “Chan’s Song,” co-written by Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder. Ms. Elias’ own “Moments” was a tender ballad that featured the evocative harmonica of the late, great Toots Thielemans (1922-2016).

Take a listen to Ms. Elias’ version of “Through The Fire” and get lost in its magic

Listen

Acoustic Piano: Eliane Elias
Drums: Lenny White
Bass: Stanley Clarke

Produced by Eliane Elias
Co-Produced by Christine Martin

Lyrics

No Lyrics

Gary Wright’s The Light Of Smiles was released in January 1977 as the follow-up to the mega-successful Dream Weaver. Like its predecessor, The Light Of Smiles had a catchy collection of pop-rock anthems written by Wright. The album delivered songs with Wright’s trademark sound based on state of the art keyboards and synthesizers. After their winning collaboration on Dream Weaver, Wright again enlisted the young keyboard wizard David Foster and drummer extraordinaire Jim Keltner to help him out on the new recording.

They were joined in the sessions by two talented members of Wright’s touring band, drummer Art Wood plus keyboardist and arranger Pete Reilich. The Light Of Smiles didn’t reach the mammoth sales of Dream Weaver, but still managed to perform nicely by peaking at #23 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The leadoff single from the album was the evocative tune, “Phantom Writer.” The song featured a remarkable performance by Foster on the acoustic piano that went from a soft, vocal-piano intro into a rocking refrain. “Phantom Writer” supports a great vocal take by Wright who additionally played the intricate synthesizers solos. Those innovative synth-lead atmospheres show how much Wright’s musical ideas influenced Foster’s subsequent playing and arrangement skills. “Phantom Writer” should have been huge on the charts, but, strangely enough, it was just a moderate hit reaching #43 on Billboard’s Hot 100. The single’s b-side was a rock ballad titled “Child Of Light” that also featured stellar work by Foster on the acoustic piano and various synthesizers.

Listen

Lead & Background Vocals, Mini Moog Bass, Synthesizer Solos: Gary Wright
Grand Piano: David Foster
Synthesizer: Pete Reilich
Drums: Art Wood
Backing Vocals: Lorna Wright & Bettye Sweet

Strings Arrangement by Pete Reilich
Produced by Gary Wright

Lyrics

I opened my eyes this morning, looked through my window outside
Suddenly something took me away by surprise
Veil on the skyline, written in broad daylight
My own name was there, how it gave me a terrible fright

Yeah, yeah, phantom writer
My name’s in the sky
Yeah, yeah, phantom writer
Why? Why, oh, why?
Phantom writer
Tell me you’re real or are you alive?

Like a sunrise, eat my home bread sign
And all too soon, I can get to fade the lines
Coming hopes, as I felt my mood fading away
Now I’m somewhere, screaming out in the day

Yeah, yeah, phantom writer
My name’s in the sky
Yeah, yeah, phantom writer
Why? Why, oh, why?
Phantom writer
Know that you’re in, there’s love in your eyes

Yeah

Yeah, yeah, phantom writer
My name’s in the sky
Yeah, yeah, phantom writer
Why? Why, oh, why?