Legendary Cuban/American trumpeter Arturo Sandoval recently released his new cd titled Ultimate Duets. The ten-time Grammy winner paired with producer/drummer Gregg Field to deliver a beautiful collection of special duets with some of the world’s most important music stars.

The wide palette of styles featured on Ultimate Duets ranges from the classical flavor of the Spanish evergreen “Granada” performed with opera legend Placido Domingo to an amazing rendition of “People” with Stevie Wonder. The aptly titled “Arturo Sandoval” featured pop stars Ariana Grande and Pharrell Williams who honored the great jazz player. This week’s review was the moving duet between Sandoval and the late, great Al Jarreau (1940-2017) performing a beautiful cover of “After All.” The song was originally recorded by the vocal jazz icon for his 1984 High Crime album. “After All” was one of the masterpieces that Jarreau co-wrote with David Foster and Jay Graydon in the early eighties. Its catchy melody brought the singer a well-deserved multi-format hit. This new rendition on Ultimate Duets was one of Mr. Jarreau’s last recordings before his passing on February 12th, 2017. The intimate arrangement magnifies the jazz feel of the tune, thus giving Jarreau and Sandoval plenty of room to shine with their emotional performances. Sophisticated music lovers who listen to it can’t help but be moved. “After All” captured the beauty of Jarreau’s final testament of sublime artistry and showcased Sandoval’s marvelous playing.

Listen

Trumpet: Arturo Sandoval
Lead Vocals: Al Jarreau
Drums: Gregg Field
Electric Piano: Shelly Berg
Bass: Kevin Axt
Guitar: Dean Parks

Arranged by Shelly Berg
Produced by Arturo Sandoval & Gregg Field

Lyrics

There, there was a time I knew
That no matter, come what may, love
Would prevail
And then inside the dreams I knew
Came the question lovers fear
Can true love fail
Then I would miss the childhood wish
And haven’t I sung to you
Of the knight in armor bright
Faithful and true to you
Darling, after all
I will be the one to hold you in my arms

After all
I will be the one to hold you
I will be the one to hold you in my arms
In my arms
I know in my heart and mind
That no matter, come what may, love will survive
And love, the author of space and time
Keeps the galaxies and each sparrow alive
And the love that heals the wound
After the war is through
Is the knight in armor bright
Faithful and true to you
Darling, after all
I will be the one to hold you in my arms
After all
I will be the one to hold you
I will be the one to hold you in my arms
In my arms

written by Al Jarreau, Tom Canning & Jay Graydon

Al Jarreau was a rare talent. Mr. Jarreau’s (March 12, 1940 to February 12, 2017) 1981 masterpiece, Breakin’ Away, was produced by Jay Graydon and set the benchmark of excellence for the LA sound of those years. The late vocal legend with Graydon, his frequent collaborator, Tom Canning and an A-list team of players and engineers created an innovative musical architecture that fused Jarreau’s jazz roots with sophisticated soul sounds.

Think Earth, Wind & Fire meets the harmonic brightness of pop genius Burt Bacharach. Through the years on this page, there have been writings of amazing melodies from Breakin’ Away including “My Old Friend” and the title track that can still be mined in the archives.
This week, the spotlight is on “Our Love,” an achingly beautiful love song that closes the first side of the album. Co-written by Graydon, Canning and Jarreau, “Our Love” was a romantic song with a powerful melody that can melt the coldest hearts. The legendary singer’s tender phrasing and moving performance on the verses and chorus are pure ear-candy and evidence of his God-given talent. On “Our Love,” the Milwaukee-born sensation was supported by the golden vocal harmonies of two other fixtures in Graydon’s camp; Richard Page and Steve George of Pages. Graydon’s genius boosted the tune with a refined rhythm arrangement that is perfectly supported by his friend David Foster who delivered superb performances on piano, rhodes and synthesizer. Foster also enhanced the tune’s sweetness with a top-notch string arrangement. The rhythm section on “Our Love” was rounded out by Graydon on guitar, Steve Gadd on drums and Abe Laboriel on bass. “Our Love” was the last single from Breakin’ Away coupled with the funky groove of “Roof Garden” also found on the album. “Our Love” was just one of the gems that makes it easy to understand why Al Jarreau will remain as one of the most gifted, original and great singers that ever walked into a recording studio in music history.

Listen

Lead Vocals: Al Jarreau
Drums: Steve Gadd
Bass: Abraham Laboriel
Acoustic Piano, Fender Rhodes & Synthesizer: David Foster
Guitars: Jay Graydon
Synthesizer: Mike Boddicker
Background Vocals: Richard Page & Steve George

Rhythm Arrangement by Jay Graydon, Tom Canning & Al Jarreau
String Arrangement: David Foster
Produced by Jay Graydon
Associate Producer: Tom Canning

Lyrics

There’s a land where lovers dream,
Where poets dwell.
We can sail tomorrow.
There is always room for one
Who wishes well.

There are doubters who
Will be welcome too.
When you can’t afford the fare,
There’s a wish to borrow.

Our love, we must never doubt it.
Our love, when you think about it.
Love like ours will live a
Thousand years.

Yes, I know you’ve heard the story
Without end.And you’re uninspired.
Still, a walk without a wish
Cannot begin,
If you wish at all,
We can conquer all
Learn to walk and run again,
As we chase Goiath.

written by Tom Canning & Al Jarreau

On February 12, the music world observed the loss of supreme jazz/pop singer Al Jarreau (March 12, 1940 to February 12, 2017). His God-given talents, unique voice and superior skills are going to be greatly missed by his many fans and refined music lovers worldwide. To honor his memory and outstanding musical legacy, the “Song Of The Week” picked one of his many splendid composition titled “Gimme What You Got.” Originally included on Jarreau’s 1980 album This Time, “Gimme What You Got” was one of those breezy gems that helped define the Los Angeles pop sound of that unforgettable era. This Time marked the first collaboration between the Milwaukee-born singer and producer/guitarist extraordinaire, Jay Graydon.

The former Airplay member was suggested for the job by his bandmate David Foster who had to turn down Jarreau’s production offer. Graydon and Jarreau went on to craft a string of masterpiece albums that were bestsellers as well as Grammy darlings. Foster co-wrote a few evergreen hits with Graydon and Jarreau like “Mornin’,” “Save Me,” “After All” and added his golden keyboard touch to many tracks.

 One jewel from This Time was the aforementioned “Gimme What You Got,” a sophisticated ballad co-written by Jarreau with his then-musical director, Tom Canning. The sparkling musical architecture conceived by Graydon was delivered by Foster on the acoustic piano, Canning on Fender Rhodes, Michael Omartian on synths, the late Carlos Vega (December 7, 1956 to April 7, 1998) on drums, Abe Laboriel on bass, Graydon taking on the rhythm guitar and unmistakable flugelhorn licks by Jerry Hey. “Gimme What You Got” also sported a fantastic vocal performance by Jarreau. Although Jarreau had jazz beginnings, he proved himself a masterful pop/r&b singer. The song’s splendid melody, memorable hook and irresistible beat deserved to be a hit single, yet it still managed to reach #63 on the R&B charts. The songs parent album became a multi-format hit for the singer, reaching the Top 40 on Billboard’s 200 at #27, #6 on the R&B Album chart and #1 on the Jazz chart.

 To round out this review, here are a few lines that David Foster dedicated to the late vocalist:

 “The first time I saw Al was in a small club in the valley. The place was packed! This was way before his first recording. Al was mesmerizing, doing incredible stuff that was completely new to me. Later on, his relationship with Jay Graydon became a milestone. They were made for each other. Jay’s amazing pop and jazz skills fit perfectly [with] the music that Al wanted to do and the audiences he wanted to reach. Neither of them compromised and the results were stunning, album after album. I am so proud to have been part of those recordings, but it was Jay and Al who directed the flow and decided the direction. Very few jazz artists have ever walked that comfy in the jazz, r&b and pop worlds the way that Al did for so many decades.”

 Rest in peace, Al.

Listen

Lead & Backing Vocals: Al Jarreau
Electric Guitar & Synthesizer Programming: Jay Graydon
Drums: Carlos Vega
Bass: Abe Laboriel
Fender Rhodes: Tom Canning
Piano: David Foster
Flugelhorn: Jerry Hey
Strings Synthesizer: Michael Omartian

Rhythm Arrangements by Al Jarreau, Jay Graydon & Tom Canning
Produced by Jay Graydon

Lyrics

We made it through
The stormy weather
We promised we would
Stay together
We fell out of harmony
Singing Auld Lang Syne
But I’ve just found a
4-leaf clover
So blue the sky all
Over me and you
We are a symphony-
A sunny valentine
Don’t resign

Gimme what you got, babe
And I’ll be satisfied
Gimme what you got, babe
And love will turn the tide
Gimme what you got babe

And always sing keep loving me
Forever more

We made a ship to sail the seasons
To conquer all the waves and reasons
Why we never touched the shore
Or found the treasure you adore
Love’s so fine

Ahead of us is stormy weather
We’ll cuddle up and stay together
Finally a symphony (will sing)
And sing it one more time.
Don’t resign.

written by Al Jarreau, Jay Graydon & Tom Canning

The end of 1981 saw the release of Al Jarreau’s new single “Breakin’ Away,” the title track of the singer’s platinum album released earlier that same year. “Breakin’ Away” was a laid-back tune co-written by Jarreau with collaborators Jay Graydon and Tom Canning. Produced by Graydon, the song sports a catchy melody, ear-candy refrain and refined funky beat. This track has smooth rhythms and superior arrangements that gives Jarreau plenty of room to shine with his slick falsetto dancing over the rich instrumental track.

David Foster’s piano keeps time with the fantastic drumming of the late Jeff Porcaro and the impeccable work by Neil Stubenhus on bass. Foster also shines on the song’s synthesizers-laden bridge supported by the great Jerry Hey horns and Graydon’s trademark guitar. The production is top notch and gives the tune an irresistible jazzy and classy feel.

“Breakin’ Away” became a multi-format chart hit that reached #43 on Billboard’s Hot 100, #30 on Adult Contemporary and #25 on R&B. This masterpiece can be considered one of the best examples of the most sophisticated L.A. quality pop sound of that era. The single’s b-side was “(Round, Round, Round) Blue Rondo A La Turk,” a vocal version of Dave Brubeck’s jazz standard. “(Round, Round, Round) Blue Rondo A La Turk” would collect a Grammy Award as Best Jazz Vocal Performance while the entire album “Breakin’ Away” won as “Best Pop Vocal Performance Male.”

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/breakin_away.mp3|titles=Breakin’ Away|artists=Al Jarreau]

Lead & Background Vocals: Al Jarreau
Piano & Fender Rhodes: David Foster
Synthesizers: David Foster & Mike Boddicker
Electric Guitar: Jay Graydon
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Neil Stubenhaus
Trumpets: Chuck Findley & Jerry Hey
Trombone: Bill Reichenbach
Rhythm Arrangement by Jay Graydon, Al Jarreau & Tom Canning
Horn Arrangement: Jerry Hey

Produced by Jay Graydon
Associate Producer: Tom Canning

Lyrics

Look what you’ve done for me
You’re making more fun for me
Troubadour me, destined to be
Set in my ways, stuck in my daze

You were the butterfly
Winking at me
Making my fires fly

Brought me romance
Taught me to dance
Making me win, making me grin
Schooling me

[CHORUS]
Breaking away
Your love has opened eyes
That couldn’t see
Breaking away
Your beacon in the night
Discovered me

Show me some parachutes
Away today, sail away
As long as I’m here
Bring me some climbing boots

Open the door
Give me some more
Fasten me in, loosen the pin
Pull for me

[Repeat CHORUS 5x to fade]

written by David Foster, Jay Graydon & Al Jarreau

The Metropole Orkest from the Netherlands is one of the best ensembles when it comes to fuse jazz and classical with the most refined popular music. Through the years, with the fundamental help of world-class arranger Vince Mendoza, The Metropole Orkester has collaborated with fantastic artists like Ivan Lins, Pat Metheny, Gino Vannelli and Chaka Khan.

Last but not least in this list of legends is Al Jarreau who recently released a brilliant live album with the Metropole Orkester. Again, Mendoza’s brilliant work and the ultra-talented musicians reinvent Jarreau’s songs giving them a different twist. The veteran pop/jazz virtuoso is still in fine form vocally and shines throughout the concert. If there’s a little complain is that, in our opinion, the track-list doesn’t focus enough on the golden years of Jarreau’s collaboration with Jay Graydon but that’s really a little fault given the quality of the overall performance. There are spectacular renditions of standards like “Agua De Beber” and “Spain” that already belong to the singer’s classic repertoire plus jazz pieces like “I’m Beginning To See The Light” and “Midnight Sun” that give the singer plenty of room to shine. “We’re In This Love Together” from “Breakin’ Away” and especially a gorgeous re-working of Jarreau’s hit ballad, “After All” are two of the highlights. “After All” originally included on “High Crime,” in 1985, is like fine wine and sounds absolutely perfect in this orchestral setting under Mendoza’s respectful hands that enhance the romanticism of this gem co-written by the singer with Graydon and David Foster. If you want to learn more about The Metropole Orkest go to youtube and enjoy their incredible performances with some of the best performers on the planet.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/after_all.mp3|titles=After All|artists=Al Jarreau]

Lead Vocals: Al Jarreau

With The Metropole Orkester

Produced, Arranged & Conducted by Vince Mendoza
Co-Produced by Joe Turano

Lyrics

There, there was a time I knew
That no matter come what may, love would prevail.
Then, inside the dream, I knew
Came the question lovers fear, Can true love fail?

Then I would miss the childhood wish and haven’t I sung to you
Of a knight in armor bright, faithful and true to you, darling,

After all, I will be the one to hold you in my arms
After all, I will be the one to hold you
I will be the one to hold you in my arms, in my arms.

I know in my heart and mind
that no matter come what may, love will survive.
Love, the author of space and time.
Keeps the violins and each sparrow alive.

And the love that heals the wound after the war is through
Is the knight in armor bright, faithful and true to you.

After all, I will be the one to hold you in my arms
After all, I will be the one to hold you
I will be the one to hold you in my arms, in my arms.

Don’t you know
After all, I will be the one to hold you in my arms
Telling you
After all, I will be the one to hold you in my arms, in my arms