David Foster, with the help of Cedric Dent and Mark Kibble’s silky voices, takes no prisoners with this gorgeous song that finds him back in that jazz -flavored r&b zone, a place where his music feels perfectly at home. Foster released “I’m Only Here For A While” as part of his “Love Lights The World” record, a solo project that he released in 1994 and that focuses mostly on his piano playing as well as showcasing some of his timeless instrumentals. The title track is the only song that sounds typically “top 40” . It is a typical Foster adult contemporary song with Celine Dion, Peabo Bryson and Color Me Badd guest vocals and was also the theme song for a show that brought Foster, always in 1994, to Japan where he performed live with an orchestra and many guests for a celebration of his work called “JT Superproducer”. The rest of the album is more rarefied with the spotlight on piano with occasional strings, keyboards and guitar overdubs. Even though there’s a gorgeous instrumental rendition of “The Colour Of My Love” that is simply stunning, “I’m Only Here For A While” steals the show here. It mixes Foster’s tasteful piano playing (and his moog bass) with Take 6’s deliciously smooth vocals in what truly is a match made in heaven. Sit back, relax and listen!

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/i_m_only_here_for_a_%20while.mp3|titles=I’m only here for a while|artists=Cedric Dent & Mark Kibble]

Vocals: Cedric Dent & Mark Kibble
Keyboards: David Foster
Keyboards & Synth Programming: Cedric Dent & Claude Gaudette
Vocal arrangement by Cedric Dent & Mark Kibble
Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

NO LYRICS

This song marks the meeting of David Foster with Take 6, the fantastic vocal group who is considered by many music greats like Quincy Jones, to be the best ever. In many interviews they have stated their respect and admiration for Foster’s work and in 1994 they asked him to produce a song for their “Join The Band” CD. “You Can Never Ask Too Much Of Love” is a gorgeous ballad where the group sings its amazing harmonies mixed with Foster’s sweet sounds and arrangements. Listen to the way their voices blends, how perfect the choruses are; it is a true pleasure to hear David Thomas, Claude McKnight and Joel Kibble sharing the lead vocals duties while Foster works his magic all around them. Cedric Dent, another band member and fervid Foster fan, cowrote the tune with Foster and Linda Thompson and helped Da Man with the rhythm arrangements.

The “Join The Band” cd was really a big change for Take 6, cause it marked the first time they used real instruments instead of playing everything with their a capella style. There are many other guests on this project like Ray Charles, Queen Latifah, Stevie Wonder and Brian McKnight (Claude’s brother). Another highlight, not produced by Foster, but great nonetheless, is a beautiful cover of the old Ambrosia hit “Biggest Part Of Me” with slightly different lyrics. There’s another gem that Foster, Thompson and Dent co-wrote, “I’m Only Here For Awhile”, that it is possible to find in the japanese edition of their “Brothers” cd, produced by Brian McKnight (yes, another Foster fan). The same song, but in a different, jazzy, “piano” version can be found on David Foster’s cd “Love Lights The World” with Take 6’s Mark Kibble and Dent guesting on vocals.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/you_can_never_ask_too_much.mp3|titles=YOU CAN NEVER ASK TOO MUCH (OF LOVE)|artists=Take 6]

Lead Vocals: David Thomas, Claude McKnight & Joel Kibble
Keyboards: David Foster
Programming: Claude Gaudette
Guitar: Michael Thompson
Background Vocals: Alvin Chea, Cedric Dent, Joel Kibble, Mark Kibble, Claude McKnight & David Thomas
Vocal Arrangement: Cedric Dent & Mark Kibble
Produced & Arranged by David Foster
Co-arranged by Cedric Dent

Lyrics

Love has got the perfect plan
I’ve finally come to understand
You can never ask too much of love

Love forgives your greatest sin
With open arms to let you in
You can never ask too much of love

I know… there’s one thing I’m always sure of
It’s the purest emotion we have
Love is… one never ending circle
That brings us around to face ourselves

I will never turn my back on you again
I wont deny how hard you’ve tried and all you’ve been
Time and time again, I found this truth will always last
You can never ask too much of love

In an ordinary heart
The extra ordinary part is
You can never ask too much of love

There’s no time, no way to measure
Love’s an open, endless treasure
You can never ask too much of love

I know… there’s one thing I’m always sure of
It’s the purest emotion we have
Love is… one never ending circle
That brings us around to face ourselves

I will never turn my back on you again
I wont deny how hard you’ve tried and all you’ve been
Time and time again, I found this truth will always last
You can never ask too much of love

I will never turn my back on you again
I wont deny how hard you’ve tried and all you’ve been
Time and time again, I found this truth will always last
You can never ask too much of love