She was born Brenda Gordon on April 8, 1949 (the year varies) in Brooklyn, New York to father Gus Gordon, one of the Ink Spots and a member of the Bill Johnson Quartet, and mother Cinnamon Sharpe, who sang and wrote songs. She would become known as Brenda Russell, a distinguished singer/songwriter of gems including “Get Here” and “If Only For One Night.” Ms. Russell was active in the early seventies with her first husband Brian Russell as backing vocalists for artists including Anne Murray, Cat Stevens, Sir Elton John, Neil Sedaka and Cher . Sir Elton, recognizing the duo’s talent, signed them to his Rocket Record Company and 1976 brought their debut album titled World Called Love.

It was produced by noted engineer Robert Appere who worked with singer/songwriter Sedaka, Little Feat, Earth, Wind & Fire fame and Yvonne Elliman. World Called Love was a tasteful pop/soul collection of original tunes mostly co-written by the couple. Among the songs were a Sir Elton and Bernie Taupin original titled “Tell Me When The Whistle Blows” and a couple of tunes co-written with David Foster. The young Canadian music-maker was friends with the Russells since their tune “Please Pardon Me” was originally recorded by Foster’s group Skylark back in 1972. One of Foster’s co-writes on World Called Love was a danceable jam entitled “Gonna Do My Best To Love You.” This catchy number became the single off the album and one of the Hitman’s first credited hits with a fair share of covers including a good one by Tata Vega. The second track, the gorgeous ballad “Livin’ With You,” is the Song of the Week.

Sporting one of Foster’s classic, heart-wrenching melodies, “Livin’ With You” was nicely coupled with Brenda’s inspired lyrics. Foster’s piano supports the singer’s beautiful performance with a suggestive solo mid-song. The soon-to-be top producer also crafted the delicate strings and arranged a good portion of World Called Love by playing his variety of keyboards on eight tracks.

Foster and Ms. Russell kept their collaboration going and at the end of the decade, Foster suggested her skills as a lyricist to Maurice White. The three ended up co-penning two masterpieces; “And Love Goes On” and “You” for Earth, Wind & Fire’s 1980 Faces album. For those interested, read the past review of Brian and Brenda’s “Gonna Do My Best To Love You.”

Listen

Lead Vocals: Brenda Russell
Piano: David Foster
Drums: Mike Baird
Guitar: Richie Zito
Bass: Lee Sklar
String Arrangement by David Foster

Arranged by David Foster
Produced by Robert Appere

Lyrics

No Lyrics

“Gonna Do My Best To Love You” was one of David Foster’s first, important credits as a songwriter way back in the early seventies. It was included on the album by “The Bottom Line” and was quite a success on the disco charts. Tata Vega later recorded it in 1978 on her “Try My Love” album.
The version we’re showcasing here is the one sung by its co-writers, Brian & Brenda Russell. Arranged by Foster, this song was released in 1976 on their “World Called Love” record, a solid mix of pop and soul.
The Russells were recording for Elton John’s Rocket label when they recorded “World Called Love.” It’s no surprise that the UK superstar appeared on it together with many other talented musicians: Steve Cropper, Bill Payne of Little Feat, Jeff Baxter of the Doobie Brothers and Foster, who arranged and played a good portion of this album.
There’s another Foster/Russell composition on the record entitled “Livin’ With You,” a lovely ballad sung by Brenda with her usual class.
Brenda Russell and David Foster have collaborated many times through the years. Their subsequent co-writing efforts are always examples of smooth and elegant quality music.
Brenda recently released a new record entitled “Between The Sun And The Moon.” It’s another example of her talent as a songwriter and vocalist. Please give it a listen.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/gonna_do_my_best_to_love_you.mp3|titles=Gonna Do My Best To Love You|artists=Brenda Russell]

Drums: Pentii “Whitney” Glan
Bass: John Perkash
Guitar: Davey Johnstone
Electric Piano: Bias Boshell
Percussions: Milt Holland
Synthesizer: James Newton Howard
Background Vocals: Brian Russell, Brenda Russell
Arranged by David Foster
Produced by Robert Appere

Lyrics

NO LYRICS

We just mentioned a few weeks ago the great results of every Foster collaboration with fellow producer Tommy LiPuma and here they are again, this time Foster appearing on Brenda Russell’s 1983 album, “Two Eyes”, that Lipuma produced. Foster and Russell friendship goes way back in time too. They first worked together when a young Foster collaborated with her and her then-husband Brian Russell on their “World Called Love” record, co-writing and playing on many songs, then, in 1980, they wrote songs together with Maurice White for the EW&F record, “Faces”.

“It’s Something!” is a delicious pop song, another example of Foster’s talent to write a simple (to the ear) but “complicated” melody with Russell singing her own lyrics about a newly found love as Foster plays his own multi layered keyboards; we suggest you to listen carefully to the fender and piano intro and the work of the synths through the tune cause they are as perfect 80’s Foster as you can find. “It’s Something!” has been covered a few times by Leslie Smith and Lalah Hathaway among others.

“Two Eyes” has many other great moments you like “I Want Love To Find Me” by Russell and singer/songwriter Bill LaBounty, “Hello People” that she co-wrote with Mike McDonald and “Jarreau” a song obviously dedicated to the great singer who guests on the cd together with a stellar cast of players and singers. If you want to listen to some of the best pop sounds of that era just look for this record but Russell is still writing and recording new music so if you want a taste of the “new” but always “classic” Brenda Russell buy her “Paris Rain” cd that came out a couple of years ago, it shows that she gets better with age and that there’s life and good music that’s not on the charts and avoid the rap and hip hop craziness.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/its_something.mp3|titles=IT’S SOMETHING|artists=David Foster – Brenda Russell]

Acoustic Piano, Keyboards, Synths: David Foster
Drums: John Robinson
Bass: Nathan East
Guitars: David Williams
Background Vocals: Brenda Russell
Rhythm Arrangements: Brenda Russell & David Foster
Vocal Arrangements: Brenda Russell
Synthesizer Arrangements: David Foster
Produced by Tommy LiPuma

Lyrics

Oo Oo Oo, it’s something
You and I have something
How I long to be around when
(When you can see that)
You and I have something

In Common, oh, oh it’s something
(You better believe it)
And I’m sure of one thing
How I Long to be around when
(When you can see that)
You and I have something

In common, it’s been a revelation yeah
You’ve been an inspiration to me
And there’s not one question no
Where my heart will run to

Oo Oo Oo, it’s something
(You better believe it)
You and I have something
I don’t want to lose this fun thing
(I hope you can see that)
Cause you and I have something

In Common
I can’t believe we’ve been so blind
Looks like we’ve wasted so much time
There’s not a note that rings untrue
Said when I’m with you

Ooh-wee-ooh-wee-ooh
Wee-ooh-wee-ooh
Oh, you and I have something
In Common uh uh
It’s something
Whoa, you and I got something
We got something, babe
In Common
It’s something!

“There aren’t enough words to express how I feel about you, your contribution to musical history and your contribution to my personal growth. You are my mentor. Much of what I’ve learned has come from listening, not only to your music, but dissecting the magic way in which you create it”. These words say something about the role Maurice White has had in the musical evolution of David Foster. We surely know that the love and respect is mutual cause Maurice White has always said great things about Foster’s amazing talent and important contributions to Earth, Wind & Fire’s career.

“I Am”, released in 1979, was the first, unforgettable step of this collaboration.The first taste of the musical marriage of Foster’s pop sensibility with Earth, Wind & Fire’s r&b grooves. Once jazz guitar legend Pat Metheny said that “After The Love Is Gone” was probably the last time that any pop/r&b artist ever managed (attempted?) to get anything that harmonically sophisticated out there to the masses via the top 40. One year later, “Faces” was the follow up, a double album, filled with beautiful tunes like “Take It To The Sky”, “Sailaway” and the first hit single “Let Me Talk”. Here EW&F were even more inspired by the pop sounds of Foster, Gino Vannelli and Toto, no wonder Vannelli’s brother Ross co-wrote “You Went Away” and Toto’s Steve Lukather is all over the funky/rock tune “Back On The Road”. The influence of David Foster is strong all over the project, but especially in the two songs he co-wrote: “You”, a gorgeous ballad that echoes “After The Love Is Gone”, and our incredible song of the week, the up-tempo, feeling good number “And Love Goes On”. From the opening keyboard riff you know it’s a Foster showcase, but listen also to the gorgeous vocal harmonies of Maurice White and Philip Bailey and appreciate the genius behind the arrangements. Check also out the classic strings and horns (courtesy of David Foster & Jerry Hey) and lose yourself listening to the beauty of its sounds.

This song reached Billboard’s r&b top 15 and it was also a minor pop entry. Foster and White have collaborated on other projects for Earth, Wind & Fire and for other artists as well, like Jennifer Holliday, Deniece Williams (look in our archives for those reviews) and the Emotions. Look for EW&F’s new cd, entitled “The Promise”, to be released this month to listen to their timeless sounds and melodies once again.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/and_love_goes_on.mp3|titles=AND LOVE GOES ON|artists=Earth, Wind and Fire]

Lead Vocals: Maurice White
Keyboards: David Foster & Larry Dunn
Guitar: Al McKay & Johnny Graham
Bass: Verdine White
Percussion: Ralph Johnson, Philip Bailey & Paulinho Da Costa
Background Vocals: Philip Bailey & Maurice White
Strings arranged by David Foster
Horns arranged by Jerry Hey
Produced by Maurice White

Lyrics

I would be so willing to give you all I got
You’re a special lady, forget me not
I could be so tender, for the likes of you
Let my heart surrender

And love goes on
On and on
Your heart beats strong
As love goes on

Everyday, I’m wishing for that day to come
Feeling superstitious hoping she’s the one
One day I’m lonely, next with plenty smiles
Love I find amusing

And love goes on
On and on
Your heart beats strong
As love goes on

Oh, oh, oh, and if we can’t work it out
you should know, without a doubt
I will always be the one you can turn to
A friend until the end, no matter where we’ve been
Sometimes you can’t hold on
You got to give it space – yea yea

And love goes on
On and on
Your heart beats strong
As love goes on

Baby we can work it out
Yes I really love you, and without a doubt
I can make you happy,
plant good memory that will last forever

And love goes on
On and on
Your heart beats strong
As love goes on