Written by David Foster, Jay Graydon & Randy Goodrum

 

“Who’s Holding Donna Now” was a 1985 hit single by r&b group, DeBarge. Co-written by David Foster with friends Jay Graydon and Randy Goodrum, Graydon went on to produce it for DeBarge’s Rhythm Of The Night album. “Who’s Holding Donna Now,” with its melodic strength, soulful atmosphere and catchy arrangement provided by Foster and Graydon, became a multi-format hit. The song hit #6 on Billboard’s Hot 100, #2 R&B and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. DeBarge’s original version was reviewed on these pages and can be found in the archives.

This week we present a review of an instrumental cover by David Foster for his 1990 solo Rechordings cd. This release focuses some of the most cherished songs from The Hitman’s past repertoire. Foster reinvented the songs through stripped down arrangements and added some delicious acoustic piano-driven performances.

Foster’s acoustic piano mastery backed up by programmed percussions and various synths plus the added bonus of a great performance on acoustic guitar by session legend Dean Parks gave “Who’s Holding Donna Now” a unique feel. The song’s tempo was slowed down some here compared to DeBarge’s original, thus giving the song a smoothness and stronger adult pop feel. The gorgeous performance of Foster on piano and synthesizer are perfect bliss and made this listening experience a memorable one.

Other giant hits reworked on Rechordings included “After The Love Has Gone,” originally sung by Earth, Wind & Fire. Also heard on the cd were Chicago’s “You’re The Inspiration” and “Hard To Say I’m Sorry.”

• Acoustic Piano, Keyboards & Synths: David Foster
• Acoustic Guitar: Dean Parks
• Synclavier Programming: Simon Franglen

• Produced & Arranged by David Foster
• Co-produced by David Reitzas
• Co-Produced & Co-Arranged by Simon Franglen

Lyrics

No Lyrics

“Midnight At The Oasis” was a 1974 hit single for American blues/rock singer Maria Muldaur. Written by noted songwriter David Nichtern, “Midnight At The Oasis” reached #6 on Billboard Hot 100. This single was eventually nominated at the 1975 Grammy Awards as “Record Of The Year” and “Song Of The Year.” The best features of the song were Muldaur’s sensual vocal performance, its irresistible soft/rock appeal and, last but not least, the exotic, saucy lyrics.

A share of covers of “Midnight At The Oasis” were recorded including veteran soul diva Betty Wright, funk/soul group Pleasure and acid-jazz combo The Brand New Heavies who scored a top 15 UK hit with a 1994 dance rendition. In 2004, David Foster worked his magic on this evergreen for Renee Olstead’s self-titled cd. As a teen singer/actress gifted with a God-given voice, Olstead took her first steps in the music business. The Hitman crafted “Midnight At The Oasis” with a delicious vintage touch in the instrumental arrangement. Foster set the groove on his trademark fender rhodesalongside session great Dean Parks on guitar, legendary Brian Bromberg on bass and the masterful Vinnie Colaiuta on drums. Olstead’s vocals are nothing short of sublime with her sultry voice giving a true lesson in timing and style. When the song was recorded, the Texas-born singer was just fourteen years old so Foster and his team omitted the lyrics with the strongest innuendo. Their decision didn’t take away an ounce of the song’s original sensuality and appeal thanks to Olstead’s silky-smooth voice. Foster’s production was immaculate as always. Humberto Gatica showed his chops as a co-producer and engineer extraordinaire by putting his superior touch to the tune and making it a sonic delight. “Midnight At The Oasis” was just one of the many gems included onRenee Olstead. This cd stands out as one of the best Foster productions of the past decade. The legendary Canadian wrote a few words about his work with Olstead:

“Renee Olstead, what a great moment when I first heard this child sing at the age of 12!!! It was mesmerizing. She sounded like an old soul reincarnated. I was so shocked and I knew I had to work with her. We made two albums and I’m proud of every track on both projects. In hindsight, I might have done a few things differently because she certainly deserves a bigger singing career than what she actually has. She’s a wonderful actress, artist and singer and even though I’m not working with her anymore, I hope the next decade will bring her talent to the forefront for all to see and bring her the recognition that she greatly deserves!!”

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/midnight_at_the_oasis.mp3|titles=Midnight At The Oasis|artists=Renee Olstead]

Lead Vocals: Renee Olstead
Keyboards: David Foster
Bass: Brian Bromberg
Guitar: Dean Parks
Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta
Programming: Jochem van der Saag
Additional Programming: Neil Devor

Arranged by David Foster
Produced by David Foster & Humberto Gatica

Lyrics

Midnight at the oasis
Send your camel to bed
Shadows paintin’ our faces
Traces of romance in our heads
Heaven’s holdin’ a half-moon
Shinin’ just for us
Let’s slip off to a sand dune, real soon
And kick up a little dust
Come on, Cactus is our friend
He’ll point out the way
Come on, till the evenin’ ends
Till the evenin’ ends
You don’t have to answer
There’s no need to speak
I’ll be your belly dancer, prancer
And you can be my sheik

I know your Daddy’s a sultan
A nomad known to all
With fifty girls to attend him, they all send him
Jump at his beck and call
But you won’t need no harem, honey
When I’m by your side
And you won’t need no camel, no no
When I take you for a ride
Come on, Cactus is our friend
He’ll point out the way
Come on, till the evenin’ ends
Till the evenin’ ends
Midnight at the oasis
Send your camel to bed
Got shadows paintin’ our faces
And traces of romance in our heads

written by Diane Warren

Jonathan David Buck, aka Jon B, is a talented R&B singer/songwriter who enjoyed a successful run in the second half of the nineties. Jon B started his career as staff writer for super-producer Babyface and penned hits for Michael Jackson, Toni Braxton, Luther Vandross and After 7. The singer’s first two albums, “Bonafide” and “Cool Relax,” were both platinum sellers.

Those albums featured big names like Jon B’s mentor, Babyface, the late Tupac Shakur and funk legend Bootsy Collins. They also included session aces Nathan East, Michael Thompson and Greg Phillinganes. Jon B delivered a modern, blue-eyed soul and brought catchy songs like “Someone To Love,” “They Don’t Know” and “Are You Still Down” to the Top Ten on various charts.

“Cool Relax” became one of the bigger hits of 1997. It was certified multi-platinum and gave Jon B several nominations at the Billboard Music Awards. The album included mostly songs written or co-written by Jon B. Among the impressive list of hip-hop, R&B music-makers on this recording, David Foster worked his magic on a haunting Diane Warren composition entitled “Tu Amor.” In those days, it wasn’t unusual to find these two respected names on modern R&B releases, especially after the triumph of top crossover hits like Toni Braxton’s “Un-Break My Heart,” Shanice’s “Saving Forever For You,” Monica’s “For You I Will” and Brandy’s “Have You Ever.” These songs were all written by Warren and produced by The Hitman. Like those songs, “Tu Amor” is a sophisticated love ballad that has the typical features of Warren’s legendary songbook, an ear-candy melody and catchy, radio-friendly refrain. Foster’s production was the usual top notch affair. He perfectly crafted the song with an elegant arrangement and strong echoes of Babyface’s style that made “Tu Amor” ideal pop/adult contemporary stuff. Foster’s legendary ear also enhanced Jon B’s vocal performance so it’s absolutely on target. Much later, “Tu Amor” was covered by popular Mexican group RBD on their 2006 CD “Rebels.” It was the first single off the album and became a big hit in Japan as well as a minor entry on Billboard’s Hot 100.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/tu_amor.mp3|titles=Tu Amor|artists=Jon B]

Leadvocals: Jon B
Electric Guitar: Michael Thompson
Acoustic Guitar: Dean Parks
Keyboards: David Foster
Syclavier Programming: Simon Franglen
Background Vocals: Ali Olmo & Khris Kellow

Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

Mi amor I’m not sure of the right words to say
Maybe these simple words will di best to best explain
What I feel in my heart
What I feel more each day
How to make you see
How to let you know
How to say how to say how I love you so
With words you understand
Words that get right through to your heart
Here’s the place to start

[Chorus:]
Tu Amor, I will always be
Tu Amor, means the world to me
Esteras siempre en mi corazon
You’re the one in my soul
And I live for tu amor, tu amor

Mi amor love you more with each look in your eyes
Maybe these simple words will do best to best describe
What I feel in my heart
What I’ll feel for all time
How to make you see
How to let you know
How to say how to say how
I need you
With words you understand
Words that get through to your soul
Words that will let you know

[Chorus:]
Tu Amor, I will always be
Tu Amor, means the world to me
Esteras siempre en mi corazon
You’re the one in my soul
And I live for tu amor, tu amor

[Bridge:]
You’re the one that
I need in my arms
Believe me these words
I say are words that come straight from my heart
How do I make you believe
Nothing else means as much as what you mean to me

[Chorus:]
Tu Amor, I will always be
Tu Amor, means the world to me
Esteras siempre en mi corazon
You’re the one in my soul
And I live for tu amor, tu amor

Written by Diane Warren

Released in 2000, “The Heat” was Toni Braxton’s third album and another huge hit for the singer. It sold over six millions worldwide and was certified multi-platinum in the USA with over two million in sales. Musically, “The Heat” took the performer towards more urban/dance material like the first single, “He Wasn’t Man Enough,” co-written and produced by Rodney Jerkins.

Jerkins was among a list of big music makers involved with this project that also included Babyface, Daryl Simmons, Diane Warren and David Foster. Warren and Foster were already responsible for Braxton’s mega hit “Un-Break My Heart.” This time around, they worked on a couple of killer ballads that were firmly placed in Adult Contemporary territory. One of those songs, “Spanish Guitar,” was released as the third single from the album. Originally written for Céliné Dion who never recorded it, “Spanish Guitar” follows the musical footsteps of “Un-Break My Heart.” It’s a magnificent ballad, perfectly crafted by Foster and beautifully performed by the gifted singer. The song wasn’t commercially available in the U.S. and for this reason only reached #98 on Billboard’s Hot 100. It did make the top twenty on the Adult Contemporary chart and a dance remix of the song skyrocketed to #1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart. “Spanish Guitar” had good success worldwide making the Top 40 charts in several countries. The other Diane Warren written, David Foster produced ballad was “I’m Still Breathing.” Again, it is a great example of Adult Pop at its best.

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/spanish_guitar.mp3|titles=Spanish Guitar|artists=Toni Braxton]

Lead Vocals: Toni Braxton
Keyboards: David Foster
Synclavier: Simon Franglen
Guitar: Dean Parks
Background Vocals: Sue Ann Carwell

Produced & Arranged by David Foster

A smoky room, a small cafe
They come to hear you play
And drink and dance the night away
I sit out in the crowd
And close my eyes
Dream you’re mine
But you don’t know
You don’t even know that I am there

I wish that I was in your arms
Like that Spanish guitar
And you would play me through the night
‘Till the dawn
I wish you’d hold me in your arms
Like that Spanish guitar
All night long, all night long
I’d be your song, I’d be your song

Steal my heart with every note you play
I pray you’ll look my way
And hold me to your heart someday
I long to be the one that you caress with
tenderness
And you don’t know
You don’t even know that I exist

I wish that I was in your arms
Like that Spanish guitar
And you would play me through the night
‘Till the dawn
I wish you’d hold me in your arms
Like that Spanish guitar
All night long, all night long
I’d be your song, I’d be your song

Te sientas entre la gente
Cierras tu ojos
Y suenas que soy tuyo
Pero yo no siquiera se que estas ahi
Me gustaria tenerte entre mis brazos amor

I sit out in the crowd
And close my eyes
Dream you’re mine
And you don’t know
You don’t even know that I exist

I wish that I was in your arms
Like that Spanish guitar
And you would play me through the night
‘Till the dawn
I wish you’d hold me in your arms
Like that Spanish guitar
All night long, all night long
I’d be your song, I’d be your song