Written by David Foster & Renee Olstead

In the first decade of the new millennium, David Foster had an impressive string of hit records for two gifted newcomers, Michael Bublè and Josh Groban. During the same time, Foster produced two CDs for another very young and remarkable singer named Renee Olstead. An American actress and singer, Ms. Olstead as an actress was best known as Lauren Miller on the comedy “Still Standing” and on the drama “The Secret Life of an American Teenager” as Madison Cooperstein. 

The Hitman gave 100% of his trademark, amazing work in the studio by directing the young songbird to deliver great vocal performances. Foster enlisted his usual A-list of top-notch musicians and arrangers for Olstead’s album while he picked the perfect material that allowed the young actress/vocalist to sparkle. For some inexplicable reason, both records didn’t establish Olstead as a major act even with Foster’s lush production and immaculate tracks that supported her jazzy voice. 

If surfing the archives, you’ll find many reviews of songs from Renee Olstead’s self-titled 2004 release and Skylark, the singer’s sophomore CD that came out in 2009.

This week, readers are introduced to “Midnight In Austin, Texas,” a bluesy, big band number from Skylark that Olstead and Foster co-wrote. The young singer handles the lead vocal with great confidence and impressive chops that are supported by special guest Robert Randolph who adds some spirited guitar blues licks to the mix and gave great energy to the track. The rousing big band arrangement was written by the legendary Don Sebesky who orchestrated top jazz albums for some of the biggest names in jazz and pop including the late Chet Baker (1929-1988), Maynard Ferguson (1928-2006) and Wes Montgomery (1923-1968). Foster and his partner, Humberto Gatica, worked their magic in the studio on “Midnight In Austin, Texas”. The result was another convincing answer to those who have always considered Foster as the “King of Adult Contemporary Ballads”.

Foster kindly sent a few lines that echo his thoughts about Renee’s talent:

“Renee was always such a special singer in my life. She was only 13 years old when I first heard her. I truly couldn’t believe the maturity and depth of her voice and her understanding of what the true mission is to sing the classicAmerican songbook. She just simply ‘understood’ it. We did two beautiful albums together and I’m just sorry to say that she didn’t become the superstar that I believed and still do believe she could be. There are times in my career that I felt like maybe I was the wrong choice with certain singers. It’s possible that I wasn’t the right choice for Renee, but she sure wasn’t the wrong choice for me. I marveled every day at her amazing talent.”

Listen

• Lead Vocals: Renee Olstead
• Special Guest on Guitar:  Robert Randolph
• Keyboards: David Foster
• Bass: Nathan East
• Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta
• Organ, Programming & Sound Design: Jochem van der Saaz

• Arranged by David Foster
• Horns Arranged by Don Sebesky
• Produced by David Foster & Humberto Gatica

Lyrics

Hey little mister
Where you going to
Caus’ I ain’t got no plans and no one to run home to
So, if you got a minute and you’d like to sit down
I know a place around the corner still open down now
So boy what’s your name what do you do
Either you don’t get familiar
Or look like you used to
But are you from here
Or in from out of town
A girl like me sure would like to show you around
It’s been in Midnight in Austin, Texas
It’d be a shame to waste a Saturday night
It’s been in Midnight in Austin, Texas
If you’re alone right now
You won’t be like that
All night
So boy name your poison
What do you drink
Follow your instincts
It’s far too hot to think
I don’t want to worry
Just pretend to be friends
So I think we both know
How this night’s gonna end
It’s been in Midnight in Austin, Texas
It’d be a shame to waste a Saturday night
It’s been in Midnight in Austin, Texas
If you’re alone right now
You won’t be like that
If you’re alone right now
You won’t be like that
All night
So don’t say you love me
Don’t say that you care
I’m not in a havin’ exclusive affair
Long term relationships may require repair
It’s a shame, shame,
Shame, shame,
Shame, shame
Midnight in Austin, Texas
Be shamed to waste a Saturday night
Midnight in Austin, Texas
And if you’re alone right now
You won’t be like that
Midnight in Austin, Texas
It’d be a shame to waste a Saturday night
Midnight in Austin, Texas
And if you’re alone right now
You won’t be like that
And if you’re alone right now
You won’t be like that
And if you’re alone right now
You’ll be left alone now

Want to hear some great news this year for David Foster fans? The celebrated Hitman just ended his two years hiatus from production to go back into the recording studio! Foster is partnering with his old pal Michael Bublè to work on the singing superstar’s next cd. To celebrate this welcome news, this week the spotlight is again on Bublè’s 2005 It’s Time cd.

Produced by Foster with his gifted partner Humberto Gatica, It’s Time took the international music charts by the storm. With about ten million copies sold worldwide, Bublè’s entry into the pantheon of all-time best traditional pop singers was written in the record books.

The first single from It’s Time was a vibrant cover of the late Nina Simone’s (1933-2003) classic song, “Feeling Good.” Co-written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse, Ms. Simone recorded “Feeling Good” on her 1965 I Put A Spell On You album, but the song wasn’t released as a single. Resurrected in 1994, “Feeling Good” was included on a popular British TV commercial by Volkswagen and eventually reached the UK Top 40. Bublè’s cover was beautifully crafted by Foster with the collaboration of legendary American arranger Don Sebesky. Their backing track was a total knock-out with a powerful progression, swinging horns, lush strings and superlative performances by Foster’s usual suspects including Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Brian Bromberg on bass, Dean Parks on guitar and Randy Waldman on piano. Bublè’s vocal performance of “Feeling Good” was amazing with his confident baritone, wonderful control and silky texture. The production was world-class with the classic plus of Gatica’s golden ear behind the glass.

Before this review is ended, here’s a statement that Foster sent to our website about the new collaboration with Bublè:

“I think Michael and I made some great records together. it’s been about seven years since we have worked together due to ending up at different record companies for quite a few years. We have always been a good fit and a good team. It feels great to be in the studio making a Michael Bublè record again!! He is a great artist and an artist who knows exactly who he is and exactly what he wants. All this makes my job so much easier and I think we are preparing something that his fans are going to love!! I know I love it!!”

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Feeling-Good-Michael-Buble-Lyrics-on-screen.mp3|titles=Feeling Good|artists=Michael Bublè]

Lead Vocals: Michael Bublè
Piano: Randy Waldman
Bass: Brian Bromberg
Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar: Dean Parks
Programming & Sound Design: Jochem van der Saag
Percussion: Rafael Padilla

Arranged by David Foster & Don Sebesky
Produced by David Foster & Humberto Gatica

Lyrics

Birds flying high you know how I feel
Sun in the sky you know how I feel
breze driftin’ on by you know how I feel

(refrain)
It’s a new dawn
It’s a new day
It’s a new life

For me
And I’m feeling good

Fish in the sea you know how I feel
River running free you know how I feel
Blossom on the tree you know how I feel

(refrain)
It’s a new dawn
It’s a new day
It’s a new life
For me
And I’m feeling good

Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don’t you know
Butterflies all havin’ fun you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done
That’s what I mean

And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me

Stars when you shine you know how I feel
Scent of the pine you know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine
And I know how I feel