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

“Keepin’ It To Myself” was an ear-candy mid-tempo originally included on Average White Band’s 1974 self-titled sophomore album. That seminal recording was also known as the group’s “white album” due to the color of its cover. Average White Band included a classic instrumental hit, “Pick Up The Pieces,” and was the album that launched the Scottish funkster’s career to worldwide fame.

In 1976, an up’n’coming Canadian session ace named David Foster was working on his first production for singer/actress Jaye P. Morgan. Looking for the right material for her album that complimented her voice and style, Foster decided to cover “Keepin’ It To Myself.” Written by Average White Band’s singer/bassist Alan Gorrie, the song had tempo changes and an irresistible groove that was a sure bet for Foster’s r&b flavored, seventies-style pop music. Foster’s arrangement respected the band’s original version, mellowing the tune a bit with the polished feel of his trademark craftsmanship. Foster’s stellar instrumental work on keyboards was accompanied by the late Jeff Porcaro (1954-1992) on drums, David Hungate on bass plus Jay Graydon and Lee Ritenour on guitars. Ms. Morgan offered a very nice vocal performance with her smoky, warm voice supported by great vocal harmonies arranged by Bill Champlin and sung by Carmen Twillie and Venette Gloud.

The superb backing track of this song was resurrected in 1977 on the self-titled record of an r&b artist called Jaisun together with three more cuts from Jaye P. Morgan. Jaisun’s voice was the only difference from Ms. Morgan’s record although Foster only received an arranger credit on this one. “Keepin’ It To Myself” was also reworked by Average White Band on their 1977 Benny & Us album. Jaye P. Morgan still sounds fantastic today and was proof of Foster’s emerging multiple talents .

Check out more music from Jaye P. Morgan in the archives, like the brilliant covers of Skip Scarborough’s “Can’t Hide Love,” popularized by Earth, Wind & Fire plus The Sons Of Champlin’s “Here Is Where Your Love Belongs.” The fact that Foster covered songs by both Earth, Wind & Fire and Average White Band on his first production was evidence of the love the future Hitman had for those legendary bands; a musical love that in just a few years will put him on the road to work amid both acts with great success.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Jaye-P.-Morgan-Keepin-It-To-Myself.mp3|titles=Keepin’ It To Myself|artists= Jaye P. Morgan]

Lead Vocals: Jaye P. Morgan
Keyboards & Synthesizers: David Foster
Synthesizer Programming: Jay Graydon
Guitars: Lee Ritenour & Jay Graydon
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: David Hungate
Background Vocals: Bill Champlin & The Champlettes (Carmen Twillie and Venette Gloud)

Background Vocals Arranged by Bill Champlin
Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

Now and again it occurs to me
I’m giving away much more than I ought to be
Oh, yes I am
And today I got a letter
Telling me things that I better not believe
But I don’t know if I can
But you’re the last in a long line of mistakes I’ve made
I’m tired of giving my heart and soul to a masquerade
So I’m gonna be 

Keepin’ it to myself
Let it build up inside of me
Keepin’ it to myself
Baby, I tried 

Well it makes no difference
I always thought that it was planned
When you get everything a man has to give
You now you got to return it
But every time I build my dreams
Find that love is not all what it seems to be
And I keep getting burned
But from now on I’m gonna quit
Before I commit myself
To any woman I meet
And I’ll get by without love for a while
And get into something else 

Keepin’ it to myself
Let it build on up inside
Keepin’ it to myself
Baby, I tried

written by Skip Scarborough

“Can’t Hide Love” is an extraordinary funk/soul slow jam written by the late Skip Scarborough. A gifted songwriter, Scarborough also gave us timeless gems like “Don’t Ask My Neighbors,” “Love Ballad” and “Lovely Day.” “Can’t Hide Love” was originally included on Earth, Wind & Fire’s 1975 album “Gratitude.”Thanks to the song’s fascinating melody and jazzy structure, it was perfectly delivered by EWF’s impeccable music machine. “Can’t Hide Love” has become a standard and has attracted a who’s who of singers and musicians who performed it live and on records.

One of the first and most impressive covers was delivered in 1976 by TV personality Jaye P. Morgan on her self-titled album. The album was produced by an up-and-coming music-maker named David Foster. Foster was just starting his career, but his talent was already in full bloom and his fantastic arrangement for “Can’t Hide Love” is clear evidence. His approach was respectful of EWF’s original, but took the song in a slightly different direction. Foster emphasizing the jazzy/funk feel with the help of giants like Harvey Mason on drums, Ray Parker, Jr. on guitar and the fantastic Tower Of Power horns. In particular, check out Lenny Pickett’s work on lyricon plus the gritty backing vocals of Bill Champlin and Donny Gerrard. Foster also did a terrific job on keyboards and arranged the lush strings and horns. Jaye P. Morgan did a good job with her husky vocal. The potential of this song and the whole “Jaye P. Morgan” album helped spread Foster’s name around as the new whiz kid in town even though the album did nothing on the charts.

Years later, I was very interested that Foster recorded another great cover of “Can’t Hide Love” for Dionne Warwick with his buddy Jay Graydon producing. This version was obviously the musical child of Morgan’s 1976 take. Take a listen. This is truly fantastic music.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/can_t_hide_love.mp3|titles=Can’t Hide LOve|artists=Jaye P. Morgan]

Lead Vocals: Jaye P. Morgan
Keyboards & Synthesizers: David Foster
Guitar & Synth Programming: Jay Graydon
Guitar: Ray Parker, Jr.
Bass: Henry Davis
Drums: Harvey Mason
Horns: Tower Of Power
Trumpet & Trombone: Mic Gillette
Trumpet: Greg Adams
Baritone Sax: Stephen “Doc” Kupka
Tenor Sax: Emilio Castillo
Lyricon, Tenor & Alto Sax: Lenny Pickett
Backing Vocals: Bill Champlin & Donny Gerrard

Strings & Horns Arranged by David Foster
Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

You want my love and you can’t deny
you know it’s true, but you try to hide, yeah
You turn down love like it’s really bad, ow
You can’t give what you never had, yeah
Well bless your soul, you can fool a few,
I know the truth now so do you, how how

(You can’t hide, I betcha, hoo,)
Betcha
(Betcha)
Can’t hide love, can’t hide love, well I betcha
I betcha)
I can’t hide, yeah
(feel inside)

You can’t pretend there’s nothing there
I look in your eyes, I see you care
So why not stop trying to run and hide
You won’t find out, if you never try,

(You want my love, I betcha,)
Ooooo, yeah, whoa oh whoa
(Hoo, Betcha)

You want my love, well I betcha
(And I betcha)
Whoa oh whoa, I’ve a feeling inside
(feel inside)

Love has found the time for kissing, yeah
can you find the time to listen
Life’s found the time to want you, yeah
can you find the time for blissing, yeah, how, how.

David Foster and Bill Champlin met in 1976 when Foster was called in to play and arrange on the Sons Of Champlin’s album “Circle Filled With Love”. They sure got along quite well cause from that moment on they started collaborating on many projects including this Foster production recorded that same year for singer Jaye P. Morgan.

This album has been one of Foster’s fans most wanted items, a very rare and precious one that has been very hard to find for many years. Now it is available on cd in Japan and this way many people can finally listen and enjoy true musical gifts like Foster’s “Closet Man”, the disco/pop “I Fall In Love Everyday”, two beautiful covers of Earth, Wind & Fire and Average White Band respectively with “Can’t Hide Love” and “Keepin’ It To Myself”. Keep in mind that this record has been recorded in 1976, David Foster was just in his mid twenties, so this fact makes the whole result even more impressive for the high quality of the music included in this cd.

“Here Is Where Your Love Belongs” was included in that first Foster/Champlin collaboration too, and sure its appeal must have been evident to Foster that included it on Morgan’s record too (this tune was also covered later on by Maria Muldaur and the Pointer Sisters). It’s a gorgeous ballad, such a classy groove, beautifully arranged and played. Morgan has a good voice, sure she’s not Barbra but she carries the song quite well and the overall result is pure class.

Listen

Lead Vocals: Jaye P. Morgan
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: David Hungate
Keyboards: David Foster
Guitars: L. Ritenour,Ray Parker jr., Jay Graydon
Background Vocals: Bill Champlin, Carmen Twillie, Nette Gloud
Sax Solo: Lenny Pickett
Horn arrangements by Greg Adams
Strings arrangements by David Foster
Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

When the morning comes
I find myself just missing you
I find myself just wishing you were here laying by my side.

As the day goes on
I’m wondering if you’re missing me
I’m wondering if you’re wishing we were laying side by side

Let me know if you
Feel the way i do
I’ll get the message loud and clear

Let yourself come home
Forget the others, bring it
Here is where your love belongs
Here is where your love belongs

When my evening comes
I’m wishing i was kissing you
I’m fishing for the words to lay on you
To make it right, make it right

Let me know if you
Feel the way i do
I’ll get the message loud and clear

Let yourself come home
Forget the others, bring it
Here is where your love belongs
Here is where your love belongs