Written by Ray Kennedy & Jack Conrad

“I met Ray Kennedy through his songwriting partner, Jack Conrad. Jack and I met in the seventies when Jay Graydon and I collaborated on his first disco project, The Bottom Line. I remember Ray being really fun to work with and a really great singer. He was also a good songwriter. I think I was actually too soft for his style because he was more of a rocker. Ray and Jack co-wrote a couple of hits for a band called The Babys including “Isn’t It Time” that we covered for his 1980 album.”

As David Foster mentioned in his note, “Isn’t It Time” was co-written by the late, Ray Kennedy (1946-2014) and Jack Conrad (1944-2017). “Isn’t It Time” became a 1977 top twenty hit for the British rock band, The Babys. The group, who featured noted singer/songwriter John Waite, reached #13 on Billboard’s Hot 100 with “Isn’t It Time.”  A couple years later, The Babys’ same songwriting team gave the group another #13 hit single with “Every Time I Think Of You.”

Kennedy hooked up with Foster at the end of the seventies to work on his second solo album after his 1970 debut. Kennedy’s record was a lesser-known Foster production that delivered all The Hitman’s trademark goods with deluxe production, fantastic musicianship and solid songwriting. The bulk of the album was co-written by Kennedy and Conrad with Foster helping out on a couple of numbers. Among the musicians were Toto’s fabled rhythm section which included the incomparable Jeff Porcaro (1954-1992) on drums, the remarkable Mike Porcaro (1955-2015) on bass, Steve Lukather heard on guitars and the synthesizer programming of Steve Porcaro plus other session aces including the great Jerry Hey Horns, Mike Baird, Jay Winding and Bob Glaub.

The aforementioned “Isn’t It Time” was reworked here with excellent results. The arrangement was powerful yet more sophisticated than The Baby’s original hit. Kennedy’s vocals were strong and delivered a bluesy feel that bore a resemblance to the brilliant Robert Palmer (1949-2003). The singer was supported by some killer vocal harmonies courtesy of studio greats Bill Champlin, Tom Kelly and Tommy Funderburk. “Isn’t It Time” became the b-side of Ray Kennedy’s single, “Just For The Moment,” that went to #82 on Billboard’s Hot 100. That was Kennedy’s only appearance on the legendary Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.

Listen

• Keyboards & Synthesizers: David Foster
• Drums: Jeff Porcaro
• Bass: Mike Porcaro
• Guitars: Steve Lukather
• Castenets: Paul Laney
• Synthesizers Porgramming: Ralph Dyck & Steve Porcaro
• Background Vocals: Bill Champlin, Jack Conrad, Tommy Funderburk, Tom Kelly, Venette    Gloud & Paulette Brown

• Arranged by David Foster & Ray Kennedy
• Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

Falling in love was the last thing I had on my mind
Holding you is the warmth that I thought I could never find

Just trying to decide
(Ooh, ooh, ooh, whether to go on alone)
Or stay by your side?
(Ooh, ooh, ooh, then I stop myself because)
I know I could cry

I just can’t find the answers
To the questions that keep going through my mind
Hey babe
Isn’t it time?

Isn’t it time?
(Isn’t it time you took time to wait?)
(Falling in love could be your mistake)

I’ve seen visions of someone like you in my life
A love that’s strong reaching out holding me through the darkest night

Just trying to decide
(Ooh, ooh, ooh, whether to go on alone)
Or stay by your side?
(Ooh, ooh, ooh, then I stop myself because)
I don’t want to cry

I just can’t find the answers
To the questions that keep going through my mind
Hey babe
Isn’t it time?

Isn’t it time?
(Maybe it’s time you took time to wait)
(Falling in love could be your mistake)

I feel a warmth in my heart and my soul that I never knew
This love affair gives me strength that I need just to get me through

Just wondering: why?
(Ooh ooh ooh. then I stop myself because)
I know I could cry
(Ooh, ooh, ooh, then I think of you)
And everything seems alright

I’ve finally found the answers
To the questions that keep going through my mind
Hey babe
Isn’t it time?

I know it’s time
(Losing this love could be your mistake)
Ooh yeah, I know it’s time
(Isn’t it time you don’t have to wait?)
It must be time
(Losing this love could be your mistake)
Yeah, it must be time
(Maybe this time you don’t have to wait)
Made up my mind
(Losing this love could be your mistake)
It must be time
(Maybe this time you don’t have to wait)
It must be time
(Losing this love could be your mistake)
Yeah
(Isn’t it time?)
(Maybe this time you don’t have to wait)
(Don’t have to wait)
(Losing this love could be your mistake)
(Isn’t it time?)
(Maybe this time you don’t have to wait)
(Don’t have to wait)
(Losing this love could be your mistake)
(Isn’t it time?)
(Maybe this time you don’t have to wait)
(Don’t have to wait)
(Losing this love could be your mistake)
(Isn’t it time?)
(Maybe this time you don’t have to wait)
(Don’t have to wait)
(Losing this love could be your mistake)
(Isn’t it time?)
(Maybe this time you don’t have to wait)
(Don’t have to wait)
(Losing this love could be your mistake)
(Losing this love)

written by David Foster & Bill Champlin

William Bradford Champlin, better known as Bill Champlin, is an extraordinary singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist originally from Oakland , California . Champlin is a frequent name on this webpage for his long and successful partnership with David Foster and he has been the subject of many past reviews. Foster produced the singer’s first and second solo albums respectively titled Single and Runaway.

This week, the spotlight is on “Keys To The Kingdom,” a spectacular Foster/Champlin co-write that is the closing number on the ‘78 critically acclaimed Single. The song’s powerful start is embellished with various keyboards while the orchestra fuels the symphonic/rock atmosphere. The solid rhythm section starts driving the show as the track eventually evolves into a soulful jam with Champlin singing the smooth verses with his trademark baritone. The epic refrain takes the song into a melting pot that fuses the deluxe pop/rock sounds of Toto (who appear in full force on Single), Earth, Wind & Fire and Gino Vannelli. “Keys To The Kingdom,” with its tempo changes and inventive musical ideas, is a true master-class in instrumental arrangement and production. The future Hitman’s genius is translucent on Single and shows the top-notch qualities that attracted giants including Quincy Jones and Maurice White. “Keys To The Kingdom” is a great occasion to once again celebrate Champlin’s unique voice with all its class, power and nuances. He is, without a doubt, one of the best blue-eyed singers ever to appear on the music scene. His impressive career, including the seminal work with Sons Of Champlin, his award-winning songwriting and his long tenure with super group Chicago should have already earned him a place in the Rock’N’Roll Hall Of Fame. It is a hope that the museum will make his induction happen in the future. Champlin’s artistry, integrity and dedication to music already stole the hearts of music lovers around the world while he maintains the utmost respect of his peers.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Bill-Champlin-Single09.-Keys-to-the-kingdom.mp3|titles=Keys To The Kingdom|artists=Bill Champlin]

Lead Vocals: Bill Champlin
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Guitars: Steve Lukather & Bill Champlin
Keyboards: David Foster
Bass: David Hungate
Percussion: Paulinho da Costa
Horns: Jerry Hey, Gary Grant, Oscar Brashear, Larry Williams, Bruce Paulsen & George Bohannon.

Arranged by David Foster & Bill Champlin
Horns Arranged by Jerry Hey
Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

Aside from all the changes
That we’ve had to share
Lovin’ rearranges
And teaches us to care
And despite our education
We can learn to let it go

And you know
That there’s nobody
Who loves you more
Than I do

Together can be trying
When you want to run
From feeling like crying
When you’re thinking love’s done
You can tell yourself it’s over
When you’re feeling kinda low
When you know
That there’s nobody
Who loves you more
Than I do

(chorus)
Love’s given us the
Keys to the kingdom
Freedom is you and me
Your lovin’ has brought me
Something to give them
Freedom is you and me
You and me

I just want to thank you
For what you’ve done for me
I just want to thank you
Cause you set me free
You’re my one and only lover
You’re the one I’m dreamin’ of
And you know
That there’s nobody
Who loves you more
Than I do

(Repeat Chorus)
Love’s given us the
Keys to the kingdom
Freedom is you and me
Your lovin’ has brought me
Something to give them
Freedom is you and me

Love’s given us the
Keys to the kingdom
Freedom is you and me
Your lovin’ has brought me
Something to give them
Freedom is you and me

This week, we go back to the late seventies and “Love Flows,” a little-known yet gorgeous collaboration between David Foster and Jay Graydon. This sweet love song remained in Graydon’s vaults until 2006 when the super-producer finally released “Past To Present – The 70s.” Graydon’s cd was a compilation that included many demo treasures recorded in the second half of 1970 by the former Airplay member and right before his big break with Al Jarreau and The Manhattan Transfer.

Those were the days when Foster and Graydon were working together on a daily basis, co-writing stuff like the now legendary EWF song, “After The Love Is Gone.” The two gifted, up’n’coming music-makers were helping each other out on their various productions and many of those early sessions ended up on this special project cd. A large part of these demos were eventually recorded by famous acts like Bill Champlin, Cory Wells, The Waters, Mariya Takeuchi, Jaye P. Morgan and, of course, Airplay along with many others. “Love Flows,” with romantic lyrics by Harry Garfield, never caught the attention of any recording acts despite its wonderful melody and ear-candy potential. The demo included on “Past To Present – The 70s” was sung by Ed Whiting, a talented singer/songwriter who often collaborated with the Airplay duo. The basic track was played by the late Jeff Porcaro and David Hungate from the original Toto rhythm section with Foster playing beautifully on his acoustic piano. Although Foster’s arrangement is powerful and intense, it makes us long for a lush orchestral back-up that would have added even more emotion to this ballad.

Graydon wrote detailed, song-by-song liner notes and this is a brief excerpt from “Love Flows”:

“…I assume the song was either recorded as a demo for Ed Whiting (looking for a record deal), or simply a demo as to place with a recording artist. Foster, Porcaro and Hungate playing great as usual! Ed Whiting is a great singer! Note that Ed’s performance was recorded quickly — just a few punch-ins! He gets out of vocal range during the last chorus round but his soul comes through big time!”

The cd also includes a bonus version of the song without Whiting’s vocal. This version has a guide vocal sung by Foster and Graydon added to the mix. It’s a rare document that shows how these two music geniuses recorded melodies and ideas. It’s absolutely priceless for fans.

To close this review, here are some more words by Graydon:

“…in this mix I ‘cranked up’ David and me singing a guide melody and talking about the melodic ideas as to paint the melodic picture. You will note David outlined the orchestral stuff. Sadly, never recorded as a master, but the good news is this version exists!!!”

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/love_flows.mp3|titles=Love Flows|artists=Ed Whiting]

Lead Vocals: Ed Whiting
Piano: David Foster
Bass: David Hungate
Drums: Jeff Porcaro

Arranged by David Foster
Produced by Jay Graydon & David Foster

Lyrics

No lyrics

written by Dwayne Ford & Derek Kendrick

The late Jeffrey Porcaro was the heart and soul of the legendary rock group, Toto and also one of the most important drummers in the history of rock music. Together with his father Joe and younger brothers Steve and Michael, Jeff Porcaro was part of one of the most respected legacies in the music world.

It took less than a second to a trained ear to know it was Porcaro playing on that particular track and his performances, both live or in the studio, were always impeccable and spectacular. Jeff died way too soon, in 1992, at age thirty-eight and left a big void in the international music scene. During the course of his amazing career, Porcaro played dozen of gigs with David Foster while they were doing session work in the seventies. Some of that amazing stuff and many more treasures can be found on a precious compilation album released in 2008 and entitled “Jeff Porcaro Session Works.” That endeavor includes seventeen gems from Porcaro’s unique career. The opener and the closer, “Moodido” and Home Of The Brave,” come directly from Toto’s songbook.  A few fundamental things are missing like Porcaro’s seminal work with Steely Dan but huge hits like Bruce Springsteen’s “Human Touch,” Michael Bolton’s “When A Man Loves A Woman,” Boz Scaggs’ “Lowdown,” Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” and Toto’s anthem, “Africa” are all included here. “Jeff Porcaro Session Works” also presents great album tracks by Bill Champlin, Herbie Hancock, Lee Ritenour and Dwayne Ford that had Porcaro working with Foster. Ford’s track in particular is entitled “Lovin’ And Losin’ You.” That song wasn’t a hit in any form but absolutely deserves to be part of the track list with its magnificent, jazzy groove that’s a must listen. “Lovin’ And Losin’ You” is one of those songs that exemplifies the L.A. top quality pop sound of the early eighties and Jeff Porcaro was such an important part of that unforgettable music era. We have asked David Foster to write a few words to remember his friend and this is what he said: “Jeff was a one of a kind musician. There never was, nor there will ever be another one like him. He had the best feel, the best personality and the best musicality of any musician I have ever met. I miss him a lot and still think about him all the time. All of us who were in his circle still talk about him all the time. He was the best of the best!”

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/lovin_and_losin_you.mp3|titles=Lovin’ and Losin’ you|artists=Dwayne Ford]

Lead Vocals & Keyboards: Dwayne Ford
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Mike Porcaro
Guitars: Steve Lukather

Produced & Arranged by David Foster & Dwayne Ford

Lyrics

Half way home from paradise
I’m lost inside a dream
I’m in love and that’s all I know for sure
And the stain of love is still too strong
I don’t understand it – your love is gone
Lovin’ and losin’ you

The lights went out in Chinatown
Was raining down in Seoul
And inside it rages like a storm
And the pain of love is still too strong
I don’t understand it – your love is gone
Lovin’ and losin’ you
I’ll never give up my dreams of you
Show me the light and let me through
Heaven can tell you I’ve been standing in your light
Love was paradise

If I could change the hands of time
If I could only see
If my life is still a part of me
But my eyes no longer see the rain
It’s just another vision to erase the pain
Destiny was written to erase the stain
Of lovin’ and losin’ you

written by  David Foster, Deniece Williams & Carole Pinckes

Deniece Williams is mostly remembered worldwide for her 1983 chart topping hit “Let’s Hear It For The Boy.” That pop/soul ditty was catchy and memorable but it overshadowed her previous strong catalogue released between the second half of the seventies and the early eighties.

That earlier material is the bulk of a collection entitled “Love Songs.” Released in 2000, “Love Songs” includes big hits like her famous slow jam, “Free” and “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late,” the latter in duet with Johnny Mathis. Also on the album are some of her collaborations with top music makers like Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire, Thom Bell and David Foster. Foster, through his connection with Earth, Wind & Fire, produced several tracks of Williams’ album “When Love Comes Calling.” Its fantastic title track is included on “Love Songs.” Foster co-wrote this gorgeous, up-tempo ballad with the singer. “When Love Comes Calling” is another perfect example of Foster’s r&b influenced material of the seventies. Jeff Porcaro and David Hungate, Toto’s original rhythm section, lead the show with Foster on keyboards and their bandmate, Steve Lukather playing guitar with Ray Parker Jr. Williams showcases her five-octave distinctive soprano voice backed up by Bill Champlin’s ear candy vocals. Jerry Hey’s classic horn arrangement is the ice on top of this spectacular Foster production.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/when_love_comes_calling.mp3|titles=When love comes calling|artists=Deniece Williams]

Lead Vocals: Deniece Williams
Guitars: Ray Parker, Jr. & Steve Lukather
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Keyboards: David Foster
Bass: David Hungate
Background Vocals: Deniece Williams & Bill Champlin

Horn Arrangement by Jerry Hey
String Arrangement by David Foster

Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

I saw you, you saw me
Tell me are we sharing the same fantasy?
I’ll kiss you, kiss me too
I just got the message, yes it’s me and you

Your smile gave me the go ahead
It’s good to know

That love is calling, knocking at the door
When love comes calling, won’t you open up for more?
Your love is calling on you

To my surprise, you hypnotized a little girl
but made a woman come alive
It’s no mystery, baby can’t you see
You are everything I ever promised me?

Your touch gives me the go ahead
It’s good to know

That love is calling, knocking at the door
When love comes calling, won’t you open up for more?
Your love is calling on you

Your touch gives me the go ahead
It’s good to know

That love is calling, knocking at the door
When love comes calling, won’t you open up for more?
Your love is calling on you