Written by Boz Scaggs

Boz Scaggs’ 1980 hit album, Middle Man, presented some of the most brilliant David Foster co-writes ever. Foster, fresh from the milestone collaboration with Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire’s 1979 platinum-plus album, I Am, was in a creative peak and delivered one gem after another. On Middle Man, Foster and Scaggs clicked perfectly. Together they crafted an ultra-sophisticated string of songs. The result was another platinum hit album for the Bay Area singer with an irresistible one-two punch of “Jojo” and “Breakdown Dead Ahead.” Both went high on various Billboard charts.

The arrangements on Middle Man were handled by The Hitman with the main support by the legendary Toto guys. Middle Man was produced by the great Bill Schnee, an award-winning engineer/producer with one of the best set of ears in the business. One of the strenghts of Middle Man resides on the top- notch level of several album tracks. Brilliant compositions like “Simone” or the heart-wrenching ballad, “You Can Have Me Anytime,” that could have easily been huge hits. Established by Foster and Scaggs, the magnificent musical scenarios showcased  Scaggs superior, refined vocal delivery. All the aforementioned songs were past reviews that can be found in the archives.

This week, a wonderful song has been picked. The beautiful, blue-eyed soul original ballad by Scaggs is titled “Isn’t It Time” and is complete ear candy.

Although Foster didn’t co-write this number, his sound and trademark musical atmosphere are all over the place. The instrumental arrangement was as smooth as it gets. Check out the gorgeous blend of electric and acoustic piano played by Foster and the exceptional Don Grolnick (1947-1996), or the powerful guitar work and solo by Steve Lukather, or the sublime performances of drummer Rick Marotta and bassist David Hungate. Foster also provided the track a lush string arrangement and all the clever synth work while Scaggs’ tender, soulful vocals were supported by the sweet harmonies of Venetta Fields, Paulette Brown, Bili Thedford & Rosemary Butler. “Isn’t It Time” was a lesser-known composition, but has the same potential of other glorious hit ballads by Scaggs like “Love, Look What You’ve Done To Me,” co-written by Foster or “We’re All Alone.”

• Lead Vocals: Boz Scaggs
• Acoustic Piano: Don Grolnick
• Drums: Rick Marotta
• Bass: David Hungate
• Guitars & Solo: Steve Lukather
• Guitar: Ray Parker, Jr.
• All Keyboards & Synths: David Foster
• Percussion: Lenny Castro
• Background Vocals: Venetta Fields, Paulette Brown, Bili Thedford & Rosemary Butler

• Strings Arrangement by David Foster
• Produced by Bill Schnee

Lyrics

Last time this happened
Thought it wouldn’t happen anymore
But that was before
And now once again
As it happens
Well why do I listen anymore
Facing the door
I wonder again

Isn’t it time you knew
(There’s someone else up here with you)
There’s someone else
And you can trust in me

Think back and remember
All the disappointments you’ve been through
Well I felt them too
And all I can say
Is crazy stories
Really shouldn’t get the best of you
I want you too
So I wouldn’t let them

Isn’t it time you knew
(There’s someone else up here with you)
There’s someone else
And you can trust in me

Isn’t it time you knew
(There’s someone else up here with you)
There’s someone else with you
(You can trust in me)
Its me

Isn’t it time you knew
(There’s someone else up here with you)
(You can trust in me)
You can trust in me.. well

Boz Scaggs’ Middle Man was another million seller for the veteran, blue-eyed soul singer/songwriter. That great album gave international audiences and radio programmers another tool to discover the outstanding talent of David Foster.

Foster co-wrote and arranged the bulk of Middle Man including the two hit singles, the refined “Jojo” and the rocking “Breakdown Dead Ahead” plus the title track. Another highlight on this now-classic collection was “You Can Have Me Anytime.”

Foster always had a unique knack to tackle a romantic melody and, in this case, here was one of his best examples ever. “You Can Have Me Anytime” was a tender ballad that paired Foster’s magnificent music and brilliant arrangement with Scaggs’ inventive lyrics. “You Can Have Me Anytime” wasn’t your typical love song. The unique craft, the superb crescendo and the fundamental orchestral embellishment was created in collaboration with supreme arranger, Marty Paich (1925-1995). Foster’s and Paich’s elegant touches resulted in a true work of art. Scaggs was vocally in his prime and delivered a subdued yet world-class performance. The musicians on Middle Man were the cream of the L.A. scene of the late seventies. There were some Toto guys that included Jeff Porcaro (1954-1992) on drums, David Hungate on bass and Steve Lukather on guitars. Foster’s keyboards including his trademark piano/Fender Rhodes were heard everyplace on this album. The collaboration on “You Can Have Me Anytime” shaped perfect ear-candy. A final mention goes to a vibrant guitar solo on the track played by the legendary Carlos Santana.

Later, a Foster/Scaggs partnership would go on the same romantic path to create the hit ballad, “Love, Look What You’ve Done To Me” from the film Urban Cowboy and “The Perfect One,” a lesser-known gem included on the soundtrack of the Two Of A Kind movie. All the aforementioned songs can be found in the archive section of this website.

Listen

• Lead Vocals: Boz Scaggs
• Keyboards: David Foster
• Drums: Jeff Porcaro
• Bass: David Hungate
• Guitar: Steve Lukather
• Guitar Solo: Carlos Santana

• Strings Arranged by Marty Paich
• Produced by Bill Schnee

Lyrics

Here we are in a room full of strangers
And an open door
Here we are away from all dangers
But that open door is calling out again

Acting like a friend who wants to know
If you might come away
I wonder what you’ll say
You wonder out again

On wings of the night
Once again you’ll take flight
And I don’t hear your voice anymore
Tonight’s dream will end
But I’ll stay long after then
And you can have me anytime

Here we are
Alone in the shadows of our lonely rooms
Here we are
We are hollows, very lonely rooms

Like a faithless child
Frightened of the wild he runs and hides
To keep from being still
We run around until we lose ourselves again

On wings of the night
Once again you’ll take flight
And I don’t hear your voice anymore
Tonight’s dream will end
But I’ll stay long after then
And you can have me anytime

Tonight’s dream will end
But I’ll stay long after then
And you can have me anytime

To start 2018 in style, here’s “Middle Man,” the energetic title-track from Boz Scaggs’ 1980 platinum release. This up-tempo composition was another great Scaggs co-write with David Foster who arranged and played the bulk of this classic album. The title-track got the boogie-rock treatment with an inspired and powerful vocal performance by the legendary Bay Area singer supported by soulful female background vocal harmonies.

The late Jeff Porcaro (1954-1992) was impressive on drums and cemented the song’s strong foundation with his Toto partner, David Hungate, on bass. On top was the superior work of Steve Lukather’s rocking guitars and Foster’s keyboards and synths. Not surprisingly, the song shows echoes of Toto’s high-tech rock sound with the addition of Foster’s superior arranging tricks that achieved an irresistible, radio-friendly sound. On Middle Man, Scaggs and Foster, with the help of engineer/producer Bill Schnee, reached a level of musical sophistication and ear-candy results that brought the singer back to the same artistic results of his 1976 seminal record, Silk Degrees. Here’s what Scaggs said about the collaboration with the Hitman:

“David (Foster) was the arranger and co-writer on this project with me. It came about because David wanted to work with me and I wanted to work with him and the producer, Bill Schnee, was friends with both of us and he proposed that. It seemed sort of natural. David was friendly with David Paich, Jeff Porcaro and David Hungate, whom I had made Silk Degrees with. We did great work together.”

Middle Man presents some of Foster’s best songwriting work ever. What was impressive was the palette of music styles that Foster brought to the plate through his work with Scaggs. From the pop/rock on the title-track and the hit, “Breakdown Dead Ahead,” to the mid-tempo pop/soul of the other classic hits, “Jojo” and “Simone,” to a lush love song like “You Can Have Me Anytime,” Middle Man is pure listening pleasure for every musically trained ear. For those interested, there are reviews of those great songs in the archives.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Boz-Scaggs-Middle-Man-HQ.mp3|titles=Middle Man|artists=Boz Scaggs]

Lead Vocals: Boz Scaggs
Keyboards & Synthesizers: David Foster
Guitars: Steve Lukather & Ray Parker, Jr.
Bass: David Hungate
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Backing Vocals: Julia Tillman Water, Oren Waters, Paulette Brown & Venetta Fields.

Produced by Bill Schnee

Lyrics

Yes I quite understand
I just might have your man tonight
He’ll be lookin’ good Hollywood
Everything right on cue
That’s a clue
If you’re in town and he’s around
Well anything I can do
Maybe
I could get him on the line
Yes I think you’d like him fine
You could spend all his money.. honey

He’ll want a little
Just a little
Taste of your love
He’ll need a little
Just a little
Bit of your love
He’ll take you uptown
Downtown
Up Third Avenue
So if you need a little
I’ll be the middle man for you

There’s a hot moon tonight
If I feel like jumping I just might
We could grab a pack go back and start
A little thing or two me and you
I can’t resist you know there’s
Something I’ve been dying to do
Maybe we could take in all the sights
We could roll some heavy dice
And we could blow all my money.. honey

I want a little
Just a little
Taste of your love
Not just a little
But every little
Trace of your love
I’ll take you uptown downtown
Up a lonely avenue
Yes I’m in the middle smack dab middle
Man for you

I want a little
Just a little
Taste of your love
Need a little
Just a little
Taste of your love
I’ll take you uptown downtown
Down a lonely avenue
Oh I am the middle
Yes the middle man for you
Yes I need a little
Just a little
Taste of your love

Middle Man was the 1980 release by blue-eyed soul legend, Boz Scaggs. Even the cover showed the top-notch level of sophistication in the included music. After Scaggs’ previous partnership with David Paich on the 1976 Silk Degrees and Michael Omartian on the 1977 Down Two Then Left, Middle Man was David Foster’s turn to co-write the bulk of the album with the Ohio-born singer/songwriter.

Together with Earth, Wind & Fire’s I AM, Middle Man was chock-full of memorable songs. EW&F’s I AM and Middle Man brought Foster’s name to the top of the charts and started his high-profile career as a songwriter and producer. Although Middle Man was produced by renowned engineer Bill Schnee, Foster’s hand can be heard all over the album, especially on the superior craft of the arrangements and instrumental executions. Previous reviews of Scaggs/Foster masterpieces including “Jojo,” “Simone” and “Angel You” can be found in our archives.

This week, let’s celebrate the vibrant, sophisticated rock sounds of “Breakdown Dead Ahead.” This slick, pop/rock number followed the same musical pattern of Scaggs’ 1977 hit, “Lido Shuffle.” “Breakdown Dead Ahead” was built on an enthralling rhythm delivered by the all-star section of Rick Marotta on drums, bassist David Hungate and Lenny Castro on percussion with Foster and the late Don Grolnick (September 23, 1947 to June 1, 1996) on keyboards. One special word must be said for Steve Lukather’s spectacular work on rhythm and lead guitars which included a burning solo. The legendary Toto member, who was only in his early twenties when he recorded “Breakdown Dead Ahead,” shone like an energetic counterpart to Scaggs’ smooth vocal performance. The song’s catchy arrangement reads like a textbook. It had a musical power that was impeccably crafted by Foster who cleverly fused the rock mood of the song with the elegance of the overall atmosphere . “Breakdown Dead Ahead” was the first single released from Middle Man, reached #15 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in May, 1980 and went to the Top Ten in Canada .

“Breakdown Dead Ahead” remains a fixture of Scaggs’ current live shows. Click here to read a past review of the live rendition included on Scaggs’ 2004 cd, Greatest Hits Live.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/BOZ-SCAGGS-Breakdown-Dead-Ahead.mp3|titles=Breakdown Dead Ahead|artists=Boz Scaggs]

Lead Vocals: Boz Scaggs
Keyboards & Synthesizers: David Foster
Electric Piano: Don Grolnick
Drums: Rick Marotta
Bass: David Hungate
Guitars & Solo: Steve Lukather
Percussion: Lenny Castro
Backing Vocals: Bili Thedford, Paulette Brown & Venetta Fields

Produced by Bill Schnee

Lyrics

I call ya
You ain’t in
What’s this cold reaction
Where you been?
Ooh baby
Layin’ it on the line
If this is last call
And you say that’s all you can take
It’s fine

I’m sorry but
It don’t make sense
You’d be a fool
If you just run out on first offense
Ooh baby play it smart
Before you go south with your big mouth
Better check your heart

Danger there’s a breakdown dead ahead
Maybe you’re in way above your head
I may burn.. might upset you
But you know I’d never let you down

I told ya
No more lying
No more tears a falling
Stop your cryin’
Ooh baby
I’m your man
Before you go back to your side track
Baby understand

Danger there’s a breakdown dead ahead
And just maybe you’re in way above your head
I may burn.. might upset you
But you know I’d never let you down
No no no
No no

written by David Foster & Boz Scaggs

When writing the weekly reviews, David Foster’s work is often described as “elegant” and “sophisticated.” Those terms certainly apply to most of the music maker’s extraordinary body of work, but they are especially fitting for Foster’s pop/soul productions of the late seventies and early eighties.

“Simone,” the Boz Scaggs’ tune co-written and arranged by Foster for the singer’s 1980 “Middle Man” album, is a damn fine example. This mid-tempo number with its irresistible groove belongs to Scaggs’ stylish musical goldmine with other jewels like “Lowdown” and “Jojo.” “Simone” has a catchy melody, jazzy chord changes, top notch instrumental accompaniment plus strings and horns to die for. The pristine production was handled by famed engineer Bill Schnee. The backup musicians were a list for who’s who. There was Foster with David Paich on keyboards and synths, the sparkling Jerry Hey horns, the late Jeff Porcaro on drums with his Toto colleagues Steve Lukather and David Hungate respectively on guitar and bass plus the rhythm guitar work of Ray Parker, Jr. Scaggs’ soulful voice shines on this refined jam. The veteran bay area singer was at his best and delivered some of the best blue-eyed soul ever recorded.

To discover or re-discover Scaggs’ magic, look for the recently released compilation entitled “The Essential Boz Scaggs.” This double cd collection comprises his most important work from the 1969 self-titled album up to his 2013 cd “Memphis.”

Let’s round out this review with a few words that Scaggs said about Foster:

“He was just David Foster, he’s a genius.”

‘Nuf said!

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/simone.mp3|titles=Simone|artists=Boz Scaggs]

Lead Vocals: Boz Scaggs
Guitars: Steve Lukather & Ray Parker, Jr.
All Keyboards & Synthesizers: David Foster
Additional Synthesizer: David Paich
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: David Hungate
Backing Vocals: Venetta Fields, Paulette Brown & Bili Thedford

Strings Arrangement by David Foster
Produced by Bill Schnee

Lyrics

Darling, let’s stop this pretending
What more is there to say
Here’s to your eyes and my final demise
Oh Simone, it’s you

I knew from the start that my easily touched heart
Was about to go out for a ride
Conquer the room with a touch of perfume
Oh Simone, it’s you

Oh Simone, my heart is breaking
Yes my dear, I think it’s going fast
Got to let me know, got to let it show for it to last
Oh Simone, to hold you
Dance you into the night
On into the dawn, on and on and on to make it right

Make it romantic, make it up I don’t care
Look up and sigh, and even if it’s a lie
Oh Simone, what can I do

What charm could sway me then burn and betray me
But thrill me the way that you do
Second to none, so completely undone
Oh Simone, it’s you

Oh Simone, my heart is breaking
Yes my dear, I think it’s going fast
Got to let me know, got to let it show for it to last

Oh Simone, to hold you, dance you into the night
On into the dawn, on and on and on to make it right

It’s time they told you, it’s about time you knew
Straigthen your gown, throw a Manhatten down
Yes Simone, it’s true
Do you think you’re fooling somebody
Do you think that I can’t see
There’s no doubt, not a trace
It’s all over your face
Oh Simone, it’s me

Oh Simone, my heart is breaking
Yes my dear, I think it’s going fast
Got to let me know, got to let it show for it to last

Oh Simone, to hold you, dance you in to the night
On to the dawn, on and on and on to make it right

Yes my dear, I think it’s going fast