Written by Bernard Ignher

“Joe Gottfried (1927-1992) was the co-owner of the legendary Sound City Studios. He was a wonderful man and the very first person to offer me a job as record producer for singer/actress Jaye P. Morgan. He funded [her] album, which was in fact recorded at Sound City Studios, around 1976. I got to use all the ‘cats’ on Jaye P. Morgan, every great studio musician of that era. What I still didn’t know about producing is that it’s not just about getting great tracks from great players. This album, and the two that followed for The Keane Bros. and Bill Champlin, taught me that you have to have great song selection and that the vocal and the lyrics are also very important. I truly thought good producing was just getting great tracks; it’s not! The singer and the song are the most important things, not a smoking instrumental track. If I get all three, then I might have something like ‘I Am’.”

These words from David Foster really helped to understand why Jaye P. Morgan, despite its fantastic musicianship and killer arrangements, went nowhere commercially. The Hitman was certainly right. It has to be pointed out that time has been very kind with this record.
Foster’s first full-blown production ever saw a number of recent re-releases on cd and even vinyl by various music labels that prove the quality of his production. On the internet, several glowing reviews and comments can be found about Jaye P. Morgan, all praising the high-quality of that project.

This week’s attention goes to “It All Goes Round,” a wonderful ballad that closed the Jaye P. Morgan album.
“It All Goes Round” was written by Bernard Ignher (1945-2017), a singer/songwriter mostly remembered for another masterpiece ballad, “Everything Must Change,” that was covered by dozens of singers worldwide. “It All Goes Round” was originally sung by the amazing singer, Jon Lucien (1942-2007), on his 1976 Premonition album. Lucien’s version was more up-tempo while Foster re-worked the tune as a jazz ballad delivered by a trio of luminaries including Bill Mays on piano, Chuck Domanico (1944-2002) on bass and Steve Schaeffer on drums. Lush strings and horns were on top to embellish the track. Ms. Morgan’s vocals were good and well-executed. She wasn’t by any means a virtuoso singer, but her smoky voice worked strong on this song and throughout her album.

For those interested in the archives, there are previous reviews of more highlights from the  Jaye P. Morgan album.

Listen

• Lead Vocals: Jaye P. Morgan
• Keyboards: David Foster
• Acoustic Piano: Bill Mays
• Acoustic Bass: Chuck Domanico
• Guitar: Jay Graydon
• Drums: Steve Schaeffer
• Percussion: Steve Forman
• Harmonica Solo: Les Thompson
• Horns: Tower Of Power Horns (Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Lenny Pickett, Greg Adams, Mic Gillette, Emilio Castillo)

• Strings Arrangement by David Foster
• Horn Arrangement by Greg Adams
• Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

Some folk never win
Some folk hardly lose
But here we are
We’re all a part of all there is
And it all goes round and round

Life is like a school
Where some folk never learn the blues
But here we are
Some are wise, and some are fools
And it all goes round and round

Sailing space, gaining time
Endlessly spinning around
With each brand new day
We leave some youth behind
And it all goes round and round

Life is like a school
Where some folk never learn the blues
But here we are
Much wiser are now than we were then
And it all goes round and round

No way to turn back the time
Endlessly spinning around
With each brand new day
We leave some youth behind
And it all goes round and round

And it all goes round and round
And it all goes round and round
And it all goes round and round

The Keane Brothers was a teen act on the 20th Century Records music label whom released their debut album in 1977. The self-titled The Keane Brothers album was David Foster’s second full-fledged production after Jaye P. Morgan’s 1976 self-titled debut album. Both albums were recorded at the famed LA Studio City Studios in Van Nuys with the esteemed Keith Olsen in the engineer seat. Only in his mid-twenties at the time, Foster produced and arranged these two projects that gave immediate proof of his superior ear and skills.

The Keane Brothers presented pristine musical parts crafted by Foster and played by a who’s who in the LA session world of that era including Larry Carlton and Jay Graydon on guitar, the late Jeff Porcaro (1954 to 1992) and Ed Greene on drums, Bill Champlin on vocals and the Tower Of Power horns. John and especially Tom Keane showed impressive talent at such a young age.

The two kids were 11 and 12 years old respectively at the time, but their vocal and instrumental skills were clearly above their age. As the older brother, Tom also wrote or co-wrote all but one of the songs on the album. The tunes were nice pop ditties with naïve lyrics, but musically solid thanks to Foster’s inventive arrangements and sophisticated musical ideas. The string of ear-candy musical jams ranged from pop to light rock to funky/soul. The Song of the Week is a funky jam called “The Ugly One.”

Co-written by Tom Keane with Foster’s then wife B.J. Cook, “The Ugly One” sports a soulful beat with a musical architecture that was a preview of the terrific work that Foster will soon deliver with Champlin on the legendary singer’s 1978 Single album. Unsurprisingly, Champlin arranged the vocal parts and clearly taught Keane all his trademark tricks although such a young voice lacked the grittiness and soulfulness of the great teacher. The song featured amazing keyboard work and tight horns to beef up the sound on top of the groovin’ rhythm section (it was the 70s, after all). Other good songs from The Keane Brothers can be found in the archives including the minor hit “Sherry” and the pop ballad “Amy (Show The World You’re There).”

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/THE-KEANE-BROTHERS-the-ugly-one.mp3|titles=The Ugly One|artists=Tom Keane]

Lead Vocals: Tom Keane
Keyboards & Synthesizers: David Foster & Tom Keane
Guitars: Jay Graydon & Larry Carlton
Drums: Harvey Mason, Ed Greene & Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Mike Porcaro, David Hungate & Dave McDaniels
Percussion: Victor Feldman & Willie Ornelas
Horns: Tower Of Power Horns (Emilio Castillo, Greg Adams, Lenny Pickett, Steve Kupka & Mic Gillette)
Background Vocals: Bill Champlin & John Keane

Background Vocals Arranged by Bill Champlin & Nigel Olsson
Horns Arranged by Greg Adams
Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

No Lyrics

Written by David Foster, Paul Stallworth, Jim Keltner & Danny Kortchmar

David Foster’s stint with Skylark brought him from Canada to LA at the dawn of the Seventies. The rock/R&B combo, Attitudes, was Foster’s second band after his time with Skylark. Foster with fellow band-mates Danny Kortchmar who played guitar and sung vocals, Paul Stallworth who played bass and also sung vocals and Jim Keltner who played the drums were all red-hot commodities in the session arena. They got together around 1975 under the late, great George Harrison’s wing.

The legendary former Beatle signed Attitudes to his Dark Horse label and the all-star group released two records, the self-titled Attitudes and Good News. Those albums went unnoticed by the powers that be although both were solid efforts that cleverly mixed pop, funk, soul and rock. Good News, the 1977 sophomore release of the quartet, especially sparkled with its meaty sounds and rich arrangements.

For this Song of the Week, the spotlight is turned on the opening track of Good News entitled “Being Here With You.” Co-written by the above mentioned four gentlemen, “Being Here With You” was a mostly instrumental, funky tune with an irresistible beat, top-notch playing and horn-laden arrangement that sets the up-beat, groovy mood of the record. Musically, it’s not too far from the classic jams of bestselling acts like The Commodores and Average White Band. The backing track smoked thanks to the rock-solid rhythm section, some hot guitar playing by Kortchmar and Waddy Watchel, while Foster added his swinging organ and keyboards. The icing-on-the-cake was the amazing Tower Of Power horns that almost steal the show with their potent, cohesive playing under Greg Adams’ fantastic guidance. Adams rivaled Jerry Hey as the most inventive and talented horn arranger of those days. TOP’s line-up of Adams, Emilio Castillo, the late Mic Gillette, Stephen Kupka and Lenny Picket stood as one of the best ever sounds. Also check out Pickett’s spectacular sax solo on “Being Here With You.” Good News was produced by Jay Lewis and Attitudes and engineered by the famed Keith Olsen. The album was a treat for the lovers of rare grooves with plenty of cool stuff to notice. Good News should be made available on cd to obtain the appreciation it fully deserved.

During those same years, the Tower Of Power horns worked extensively with Foster on Jaye P. Morgan’s self-titled album.  Jaye P. Morgan was another hidden gem that stands as one of Foster’s most soulful works.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Attitudes-Good-News-01-Being-Here-With-You.mp3|titles=Being Here With You|artists=Paul Stallworth]

Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals & Bass: Paul Stallworth
Keyboards, Synthesizer & Backing Vocals: David Foster
Guitars & Backing Vocals: Danny Kortchmar
Drums, Percussions & Backing Vocals: Jim Keltner
Rhythm Guitar: Waddy Watchel
Horns: Tower Of Power Horns
Horns Arranged by Greg Adams

Produced by Jay Lewis & Attitudes

Lyrics

No Lyrics