Written by David Foster, Jay Graydon & Al Jarreau

Born in Houston TX in 1968, Chris Walker is a singer, musician and producer. This gifted music-maker spent more than twenty years on the road with the exceptional Al Jarreau (1940-2017) as musicial director, bass player and backing vocalist. Starting in the early Nineties, Walker released a string of good solo albums in the R&B vein. He charts with a few songs on the R&B singles chart including the 1992 multi-format hit, “Take Time,” that reached #29 on Billboard’s Hot 100, #6 on the R&B chart and #17 on Adult Contemporary.

Right after Jarreau’s passing, Walker started working on a new solo project to celebrate his former boss. To achieve his goal, he collaborated with the cream of the LA session musicians, many of whom had appeareded on Jarreau’s seminal recordings between the Seventies and Eighties. Walker approached Jay Graydon and David Foster who gladly agreed to appear on the cd. The final result saw the light of day in 2019 under the title We’re In This Love Together – A Tribute To Al Jarreau.

A true labor of love, We’re In This Love Together – A Tribute To Al Jarreau presents a number of magnificent covers from Jarreau’s songbook. Walker co-produced and arranged the cd with the legendary Larry Williams of Seawind fame who was also part of Jarreau’s live band for many years playing keyboards and saxophone. We’re In This Love Together – A Tribute To Al Jarreau includes top names like Greg Phillinganes, Jerry Hey, Bob James, Arturo Sandoval, Kirk Whalum and many others. Graydon and Foster appear, playing guitar and synth respectively, on the rendition of their classic 1983 hit, “Mornin’.” For this project, Walker recorded two other gems, “Save Me” and “After All,” co-written by Foster and Graydon with the late vocal virtuoso.

“Save Me” was reviewed on these pages sometime ago. This week, the spotlight goes on the reworking of the 1984 hit ballad, “After All.”

Walker provided an arrangement that remains faithful to the original version of “After All,” although he added some tasteful changes here and there. The instrumental track was delivered with the help of other talented Jarreau alumni; John Calderon on guitar and Mark Simmons on drums. Co-producer Williams plays the beautiful electric piano while Walker appears on bass and delivers a vocal performance that would have made his friend and mentor Jarreau very proud.

Foster kindly sent a note about Jarreau and this beautiful song: “Al (Jarreau) was all Jay’s doing. He was the producer and the connection between all of us. We did write some great songs the three of us and one was ‘After All.’ About this ballad I must say I think I really drove the writing session. Jay, of course, helped with the music and then he produced the record. I always trusted his instincts, he is such a great producer and we were a great team. ‘After All’ really has some great chord changes. Really unique stuff.”

• Lead Vocals & Bass: Chris Walker
• Drums: Mark Simmons
• Guitar: John Calderon
• Keyboards: Larry Williams
• Additional Keyboards & Backing Vocals: John Stoddart
• Percussion: Arno Lucas

• Arranged by Chris Walker
• Strings Arrangement by John Stoddart
• Produced by Larry Williams & Chris Walker

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

Chris Walker is a veteran American singer, musician and producer. Walker has worked with many great jazz/R&B artists including a long stint as bass player/vocalist of the late, great Al Jarreau’s (1940-2017) live band.

From the early nineties, Walker released a string of solo albums that gave him a few hit singles on the R&B chart. Walker’s Top Ten hit ballad, “Take Time,” crossed over to Billboard’s Pop and Adult Contemporary charts where it reached #29 and #17 respectively.

Recently, the gifted singer/musician has been busy recording a tribute to his late mentor, Al Jarreau. A true labor of love, We’re In This Love Together-Celebrating Al Jarreau, saw the light of day in May 2019. Produced by Walker with legendary music-maker Larry Williams, former sax player of Seawind and Jarreau’s musical director for more than thirty years, We’re In This Love Together-Celebrating Al Jarreau features fresh and inventive covers of some of the most beloved gems of the vocal virtuoso’s repertoire. For this special project, Walker and Williams enlisted a who’s who of studio legends to appear on the cd, including many of those who played on the original Jarreau sessions. The opening track, “Mornin’,” is a faithful reworking of the famous 1983 hit, co-written by Jarreau with Jay Graydon and David Foster. Both Graydon, who produced many of those magnificent recordings, and Foster played on this new version of “Mornin.” Together they brought to fruition a glorious effect with their trademark guitar and synth which added to the mix of pure joy and melancholy. Throughout the cd, Walker gives stunning vocal performances, sometimes quite unavoidably echoing Jarreau’s classic vocal sounds and scat, but always in a loving, respectful way, always avoiding mere imitation. We’re In This Love Together-Celebrating Al Jarreau features two other songs co-written by Foster and Graydon with Jarreau. One is the ballad evergreen, “After All” while the second is a fresh reworking of “Save Me,” one of the highlights from the seminal Jarreau album. On this number, Walker and Williams bring the song into another dimension by giving it a delicious Latin-jazz spin. Jerry Hey, who did the horns on the original track, helps his pal Williams with the new, amazing horn arrangement that also features a fantastic trumpet solo by the legendary Randy Brecker and some smoking Saxophone playing by Williams. There’s no doubt that Jarreau will be smiling in heaven listening to this ear-candy, feel-good rendition of his song. 

We’re In This Love Together-Celebrating Al Jarreau is a rare opportunity to listen to world-class material performed by stellar talents with heart and class, just like in the old days. Among the other names involved are music greats Bob James, Arturo Sandoval, Regina Belle, Will Downing, Greg Phillinganes, Gerald Albright, Paul Jackson, Jr., Kirk Whalum and Dave Koz. Simply put, this cd is a must have!

Listen

• Lead Vocals & Bass: Chris Walker
• Keys, Tenor Sax & Flute: Larry Williams
• Guitar: Leonardo Amuedo
• Drums: Mark Simmons
• Percussion: Cassio Duarte
• Trumpet Solo: Randy Brecker
• Trumpet: Tom Walsh, Gary Grant & Chuck Findley
• Trombone & Bass Trombone: Bill Reichenbach
• Rhythm Arranged by Larry Williams & Dominique Fillon
• Horns Arranged by Larry Williams & Jerry Hey
• Produced by Larry Williams & Chris Walker

Lyrics

Someone wrote just yesterday
“Love’s in need of love today”
Will there be none tomorrow

Faded feelings, jaded news
Where’s the tender hearts
That love romance, they
Seem so few

So, I write these words to say
Take heart have faith
In love’s tomorrow
Where our precious dreams
Will all come true

Heaven knows what I’ve
Been through
Searching for a heart that’s true
Is there one in a million?

Though I’ve often failed the test
Everyone must journey till
That questioning is through

Shine a star for me to see what
Children see on Christmas morning
Every hope and dream
To be renewed

Heaven only knows how I hope
That chance of love is higher
Than one in a million

I’m a dreamer I confess
But my dreams are only of
The best that we can do

So, I’ll keep on counting sheep
And will not sleep until the dawning

Help me break the news, eternal
Love just beat the blues

Save me from no love
(you oughta save me)
Save me from no love
Say sweet love has come
And is not gone,
There is all, that I want,
This morning

Save me from no love
(you oughta save me)
Save me from no love
Say sweet love has come
And will live on,
Never gone, ever on,
(strong), eternally (forever)

Now I’ve done the best I can, girl
I need a helping hand
Are you one in a million?

People leave without good-byes
Stay with me, for through your
Eyes I see another truth

You’re the star and now I see what
Children see on Christmas morning

Stay and see it through the gift
Of love returned to you

Save me from no love
(you oughta save me)
Save me from no love
Say sweet love has come
And is not gone,
There is all, that I want,
This morning

I’m searchin’ for love, baby,
Been lookin’ today
Somewhere there’s a love, baby,
Do you know the way?

Save me, save me
You’ve got to save me
Save me, save me
Baby, you can save me
Save me, save me
You’ve got to save me
From no love

written by David Foster & Dean Pitchford

Teach Me How To Dream” was an evocative ballad co-written in the early nineties by David Foster with Dean Pitchford for the soundtrack of the action/comedy movie, If Looks Could Kill. Foster’s amazing ability to craft a power ballad was enhanced on this collaboration with Pitchford, a celebrated pop/adult contemporary songwriter in his own right with hit co-writes including Irene Cara’s Academy Award winner “Fame,” Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose,” Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out For A Hero” and Deniece Williams’ “Let’s Hear It For The Boy.” “Teach Me How To Dream” was produced by Foster with vocals by noted rock singer Robin McAuley.

A past review of that rocking anthem can be found here. A few years later, “Teach Me How To Dream” found new life with the inclusion of a tasteful pop rendition on the soundtrack of the long-running soap opera, One Life To Live. This cover was crafted by Chris Walker, a talented singer and musician who started his career as musical director for R&B singer Regina Belle and went on to release a few solo cds. Walker switched “Teach Me How To Dream” from the powerful energy of Foster’s original arrangement to his rarefied and elegant pop/soul approach. The result was extremely appealing with Walker’s spot on vocals accompanied by just a piano and keyboards to deliver a very emotional performance. “Teach Me How To Dream” was one of the adult contemporary love songs included on One Life To Live: The Best Of Love. Other goodies included on that cd were “From This Day On” sung by Brenda Russell and Howard Hewett, “All I Know” sung by Amy Holland and Michael McDonald and the gorgeous David Foster/Linda Thompson composition titled “Goodbye,” beautifully performed by the late Warren Wiebe (July 18, 1953 to October 25, 1998).

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Chris-Walker-Teach-Me-How-to-Dream-David-Foster-Dean-Pitchford.mp3|titles=Teach Me How To Dream|artists=Chris Walker]

Lead Vocals: Chris Walker

Produced & Arranged by Chris Walker

Lyrics

I only see things black and white
Never shades of gray
My eyes don’t work that way, no
I can’t imagine fantasies

They never cross my mind
Could be why I’m lonely time to time
Only you
only you can reach me now
Can you teach me how

Teach me how to dream
Help me make a wish
If a wish for you
Will you make my wish come true
I’m a stranger here
Stranger as it may seem
Take me by the heart
Teach me how to dream

You lift me up and give me hope
Every single day
I never dreamed that I
Could feel this way
When I’m down
I know where I’m gonna turn
I’ve got so much to learn

Teach me how to dream
Help me make a wish
If a wish for you
Will you make my wish come true
I’m a stranger here
Stranger as it may seem
Take me by the heart
Teach me how to dream

And when I turn out the lights
I turn to you for my inspiration
Long as we’re together
You and me
We’re gonna dream forever

Teach me how to dream
Help me make a wish
If a wish for you
Will you make my wish come true
I’m a stranger here
Stranger as it may seem
Take me by the heart
Teach me how to dream