Los Angeles-native Ned Doheny started his career in the blossoming Laurel Canyon music scene of the late sixties/early seventies alongside soon-to-be global stars like Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Don Henley, the late Glenn Frey (1948-2016) and the late Mama Cass Elliot (1941-1974). Developing his own style, Doheny mixed those artists’ acoustic, country-flavored, soft-rock style with strong R&B accents and irresistible grooves.

The results were showcased on his second and third albums, Hard Candy and Prone, released in 1976 and 1978. Both albums were produced by the legendary Steve Cropper of Booker T. & the M.G.’s fame. Those records were some of the finest example of the elegant L.A. Sound of that era. To achieve his objective, Cropper enlisted famous session players including the late John Guerin (1939-2004) and Gary Mallaber on drums, the late Victor Feldman (1934-1987) and Steve Forman on percussion, Bryan Garofalo on bass and a young David Foster on keyboards. Doheny did a fantastic work with his masterful songwriting, excellent guitar playing and soulful vocal delivery supported by many of his friends like Henley, Frey, Ronstadt, J.D. Souther, Hamish Stuart and Rosemary Butler. The R&B influence was also augmented by the use of powerful horn arrangements handled by trumpet greats Chuck Findley and Greg Adams of Tower Of Power. That fat horn work can be heard in this Song of the Week; the funky mid-tempo “Each Time You Pray” from Hard Candy. 

“Each Time You Pray” epitomized Doheny’s concept of blue-eyed soul. It sported an irresistible groove, great rhythms and changes with lovely vocal harmonies. The backing track was impeccable with Foster’s electric piano, Ernie Corello’s rhythm guitar and Findley’s horns as well as other legends including Tom Scott and Jim Horn on saxophones.

Listening to this song and the whole Hard Candy album makes you wonder why such a fantastic record didn’t top the charts, sell millions and make Doheny an international star. Thankfully, time has been generous with Doheny and his music. He has been rediscovered and appreciated by later generations. “Get It Up For Love,” “To Prove My Love” and “A Love Of Your Own” have been covered by many artists and are still played by DJ’s around the world. Look for past reviews of those songs in the archives. 

Listen

• Lead & Background Vocals, Lead & Acoustic Guitar: Ned Doheny
• Drums: Gary Mallaber
• Keyboards: David Foster
• Electric Guitar: Ernie Corello
• Bass: Bryan Garofalo
• Percussion: Steve Forman
• Saxophones: Tom Scott & Jim Horn
• Trombone, Flugelhorn & Trumpet: Chuck Findley

• Background Vocals Arranged by B.H. Barnum
• Horn Lines Written by Ned Doheny and Arranged by Chuck Findley
• Produced by Steve Cropper

Lyrics

No Lyrics