At the beginning of the eighties, the great Quincy Jones produced a string of soul/pop gems including the late Michael Jackson’s (1958-2009) mega-sellerThriller, George Benson’s Give Me The Night, the late Donna Summer’s (1948-2012) self-titled album, his own solo, The Dude, plus Patti Austin’s Every Home Should Have One. All those records became hits for the legendary music producer and his dream team of songwriters, arrangers and musicians that included the Toto guys, the late Rod Temperton (1949-2016), Jerry Hey and David Foster.

Foster had been a fixture on Q’s productions since 1978 when the future Hitman played, co-wrote and arranged music on The Brother Johnson’s Blam album. From all that impressive body of work, the spotlight hit upon Ms. Austin’s 1982 hit ballad, “Baby, Come To Me.”
This beautiful song was the brainchild of Temperton’s like the bulk of Every Home Should Have One. A former member of the UK R&B combo Heatwave, this self-made genius met with Jones and, together, they where a match made in heaven. With tons of glorious hits, “Baby, Come To Me” became a #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in February 1983 after this love ballad was heavily featured on the soap opera, General Hospital. “Baby Come To Me” was a stunning duet with another of Jones’ protégées, James Ingram. Austin’s and Ingram’s vocal performances were a textbook in finesse, class and style. The refined backing track was crafted by Temperton and included top session ace John Robinson on drums, Steve Lukather on guitar, Greg Phillinganes on keyboards, Foster on synths with Temperton and Mike Boddicker. With a showcase of superior musical talent, this classic Q production was a top-notch affair that established this love song as a much-adored evergreen.

Listen

Lead & Background Vocals: Patti Austin & James Ingram
Bass: Eddie Watkins, Jr.
Drums: John Robinson
Synthesizers: David Foster, Greg Phillinganes, Michael Boddicker & Rod Temperton
Guitar: Steve Lukather
Keyboards: Greg Phillinganes
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa

Rhythm, Vocal & Synthesizer Arrangements by Rod Temperton
Produced by Quincy Jones

Lyrics

Thinkin’ back in time
When love was only in the mind
I realize
Ain’t no second chance
You got to hold on to romance
Don’t let it slide

There’s a special kind of magic in the air
When you find another heart that needs to share

Baby, come to me
Let me put my arms around you
This was meant to be
And I’m oh-so glad I found you
Need you everyday
Got to have your love around me
Baby, always stay
‘Cause I can’t go back to living without you

Spendin’ every dime
To keep you talkin’ on the line
That’s how it was

And all those walks together
Out in any kind of weather
Just because

There’s a brand new way of looking at your life
When you know that love is standing by your side

Baby, come to me
Let me put my arms around you
This was meant to be
And I’m oh-so glad I found you
Need you everyday
Got to have your love around me
Baby, always stay
‘Cause I can’t go back to living without you

The night can be cold
There’s a chill to every evening when you’re all alone
Don’t talk anymore
‘Cause you know that I’ll be here to keep you warm

Baby, come to me
Let me put my arms around you
This was meant to be
And I’m oh-so glad I found you
Need you everyday
Got to have your love around me
Baby, always stay

Come to me
This was meant to be
Need you everyday
Baby, always stay
I can’t go back to living without you
Without you
Without you

written by Carole Bayer Sager, James Ingram & Clif Magness

If you are among the many music fans who love David Foster’s unique productions of lush, romantic ballads, you have to listen to “The Day I Fall In Love” from the soundtrack of the  1993 movie, “Beethoven’s 2nd.”

Co-written by the legendary Carole Bayer Sager with r&b great James Ingram and talented songwriter Clif Magness, “The Day I Fall In Love” is a tender love duet between Ingram and country/pop icon, Dolly Parton. Foster’s evocative instrumental arrangement based on keyboards, synths and rich strings perfectly backs up the singers’ intense vocal performances in a beautiful crescendo also enhanced by Michael Thompson’s superior guitar playing.
“The Day I Fall In Love” was only a minor hit on the Adult Contemporary chart reaching #36 but its top notch quality was recognized with nominations on the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and the Grammy Awards as Best Song From A Motion Picture.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/the_day_i_fall_in_love.mp3|titles=The Day I Fall In Love|artists=James Ingram & Dolly Parton]

Lead Vocals: James Ingram & Dolly Parton
Keyboards: David Foster
Guitar: Michael Thompson
Programmino: Claude Gaudette

Strings Arrangement by Jeremy Lubbock
Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

Just an ordinary day
Started out the same old way
Then I looked into your eyes and knew
Today would be a first for me
The day I fall in love

On the day I fall in love
Sky will be a perfect blue
And I’ll give my heart forever more
To someone who is just like you
The day I fall in love

People all say love is wonderful
That the bells will ring
The birds will sing
The skies will open
I wonder where’s that great big symphony
Roll over Beethoven
Won’t you play with me

And I’ll never promise to be true to anyone
Unless it’s you
Unless it’s you
The day I fall in love

People all say love is wonderful
Love is wonderful
That the bells will ring
The birds will sing
The skies will open
I wonder where’s that great big symphony
I’ll be a Beethoven
Roll over Beethoven
Come play with me

Just an ordinary day
Started out the same old way
Then I looked into your eyes and knew
Today would be
A first for me
A first for me
The day I fall in love
I know you’ll be there
Ooh….I know…
The day I fall in love

“I Believe in Love” is a magnificent ballad that James Ingram co-wrote with David Foster and Linda Thompson in 1993. It was recorded that year by Ingram as a beautiful duet with Hong Kong superstar Sally Yeh and produced by Keith Thomas. Unfortunately, the song didn’t make the international version of Ingram’s new album “Always You,” and was only included as a bonus track on the Asian edition. Thankfully, “I Believe in Love” was released one year later by Yeh on her new compilation album and became a good hit on the Asian market. The ballad has all the elements of a classic Foster hit; a gorgeous melody, superior vocal performances by the singers and the great work on the keyboards by Thomas in the best Foster tradition.

Foster and Ingram later collaborated on the soundtrack of the 1993 movie Beethoven’s 2nd. The result was an Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee duet with Dolly Parton entitled “The Day I Fall In Love.” Co-written by Ingram with Carole Bayer Sager and Clif Magness, it is another masterful production by Foster.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/i_believe_in_love.mp3|titles=I believe in love|artists=James Ingram & Sally Yeh]

Lead Vocals: James Ingram & Sally Yeh
Keyboards: Keith Thomas
Produced by Keith Thomas

Lyrics

James
I can’t pretend I wasn’t lonely
Solitude was all I knew
I was so afraid of pain
So afraid to let love in my life again
Sally
You don’t have to be an angel
I’ll accept you as you are
Both
Lovin’ you for love’s own sake…..
Let me hold your heart and it will never break
James: I do understand
Sally: I do understand
James: A woman & a man
Sally: Woman & a man
James: Strength in tenderness….
Both: There’s a power in love
Sally: You have given me
James: It’s the greatest gift
Sally: The vision now to see.
James: Oh….
Both: I believe in love, just because of you
James: We both know life isn’t easy
Sally: We’ve been around a block or two
Both
I know where I need to be…
I know enough to know that I’m in love
I know enough to know it’s you
James: I do understand
Sally: I do understand
James: A woman & a man
Sally: Woman & a man
James: Strength in tenderness….
Both: There’s a power in love
Sally: You have given me
James: It’s the greatest gift
Sally: The vision now to see
Both: I believe in love, just because of you
James: I can look at you and see right through
Sally: You’re a part of me, you live inside me
James: There’s a magic in
Sally: It’s a basic need
James: A woman and a man
Both: Even when you’re not within my sight, I can feel you in my life
Both
I do understand
A woman & a man
A Strength in tenderness….
There’s a power in love
You have given me
The vision now to see
I believe in love, just because of you
I believe in love, just because of you

A few years ago when David Foster was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, Quincy Jones honored him with a special speech. Recently, Jones received a special Leadership Award by the Grammy Foundation, and Grammy board member Foster appeared as musical director for the star-studded event. These events further demonstrated the close friendship between the two legendary music makers that span thirty years of collaborations and hits. As a true mentor, Jones witnessed Foster’s growth from young session player to world-renowned producer/songwriter.

We’ve already mentioned the long list of hit albums produced by Jones that featured Foster’s multiple talents with top-notch results. Another of these special performances was the 1981 hit “Just Once.” This wonderful ballad, co-written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, presented James Ingram’s masterful, melodic voice to world audiences. The craft of the production and the beauty of the vocal and musical performances made “Just Once” a timeless work of art. Here, Foster shared the keyboards with Robbie Buchanan. Their outstanding work was interwoven with silky strings and horns and the smooth rhythm arrangement topped off by Ingram’s amazing vocals. Listening to this song, it’s easy to understand why Jones considers Ingram one of the best singers ever. “Just Once” was part of Jones’ 1981 release entitled “The Dude.” It’s a wonderful pop/soul collection filled with great stuff like the other Ingram signature ballad, “One Hundred Ways,” the classy instrumental “Velas” and the elegant up-tempo jam “Betcha Wouldn’t Hurt Me,” co-written by Stevie Wonder and sung by Patti Austin. The album was a major hit, reaching Billboard’s top ten. The disco anthem, “Ai No Corrida,” “Just Once” and “One Hundred Ways” were big hits on the Pop, Black and Adult Contemporary charts. “The Dude” was certified platinum and brought home four Grammy Awards.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/just_once.mp3|titles=Just once|artists=James Ingram]

Lead Vocals: James Ingram
Guitar: Steve Lukather – Bass: Abe Laboriel – Drums: John Robinson
Synthesizer: Greg Phillinganes & Ian Underwood (programming)
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
Acoustic Piano & String Synthesizer: Robbie Buchanan
Acoustic & Electric Piano: David Foster
Horns: Jerry Hey, Chuck Findley, Kim Hutchcroft, Ernie Watts, Bill Reichenbach
Background Vocals: Patti Austin
Vocal & Rhythm Arrangement: Quincy Jones
String & Synthesizer Arrangement: Johnny Mandel
Horn Arrangement: Jerry Hey
Produced by Quincy Jones

Lyrics

I did my best
But I guess my best wasn’t good enough
‘Cause here we are back where we were before
Seems nothing ever changes
We’re back to being strangers
Wondering if we oughta stay
Or head on out the door

Just once can’t we figure out what we keep doing wrong
Why we never last for very long
What are we doing wrong
Just once can’t we find a way to finally make it right
Make the magic last for more than just one night
If we could just get to it
I know we could break through it

I gave my all
But I think my all may have been too much
‘Cause Lord knows we’re not getting anywhere
Seems we’re always blowing whatever we got going
And seems at times with all we’ve got
We haven’t got a prayer
Just once can’t we figure out what we keep doing wrong
Why the goodtimes never last for very long
Seems we’re always blowing
Whatever we got going

Just once can’t we find a way to finally make it right
Make the magic last for more than just one night
If we could just get to it
I know we could break through it

Just once I want to understand
Why it always come back to good-bye
Why can’t we get ourselves in hand
And admit to one another
That we’re no good with out the other
Take the best and make it better
Find a way to stay together

Just once can’t we find a way to finally make it right
Make the magic last for more than just one night
I know we can break through it
If we could just get to it

Just once
If we could get to it

Just Once…

“When You Love Someone” is a very special collaboration between Anita Baker and James Ingram, two of the most distinctive and unique voices in the history of R&B music. This gorgeous ballad, co-written by Baker with Academy Award winner Carole Bayer Sager and soundtrack maestro Marc Shaiman, was included in the 1995 hit movie, “Forget Paris,” starring Debra Winger and Billy Crystal. The soundtrack for this romantic comedy featured evergreens by Billie Holiday and Louis Prima plus a couple of good instrumentals by sax legend David Sanborn. “When You Love Someone” was superbly produced and arranged by David Foster and was the single off the soundtrack. It received a Grammy nomination as “Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television.” Foster’s contributions follow the lines of his most successful productions for big movies like “Sleepless In Seattle” and “Pretty Woman.” The impeccable arrangement enhances the two singers’ performances as they blend beautifully, trading lines in the soft, musical scenario that Foster created for them. “When You Love Someone” is probably not as well known as other works Foster has contributed to the movies, but the strength and class of Baker’s and Ingram’s vocal performances paired to the flawless quality of the production makes this song a must for lovers of quality Adult Contemporary music.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/when_you_love_someone.mp3|titles=When you love someone|artists=Anita Baker & James Ingram]

Lead Vocals: Anita Baker & James Ingram
Keyboards & Synthesizers: David Foster
Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

Were we ever, did we use it up too fast
Our great moments never met to last
And the last thing that I want
Is to ever make your smile go away

Keep the memories take the best of what we had
I can’t stand to watch what once was great go bad
And if I can’t be with you
Then I rather just remember what we knew

[Chorus:]

When you love someone
And you love them with your heart
And it doesn’t disappear if you’re apart

When you love someone
And you’ve done all you can do – you’ve done all you can
When you set them free
And if that love is true
When you love someone
It will all come back to you

Nights I wondered was I too much that we gave
If we gave in more could we have both been saved

And I guess we have crossed the line
Never knowing what was yours
And what was mine

[Chorus]

And through it all, I still have no regrets
Just promise me – promise me
You never will forget – you never will forget

When you love someone
And you have done all you can do
And you set them free and if that love is true
If you love someone, it will all come back to you