The Song of the Week again focuses on the milestone collaboration between Maurice White and David Foster that resulted in the now-classic 1979 album I Am. The young, gifted Foster added a fresh approach to Earth Wind & Fire’s trademark funk/soul musical universe. I Am offers some unforgettable hits including “After The Love Is Gone,” “In The Stone” and “Boogie Wonderland.” The entire recording was a powerful celebration of White’s superior genius enhanced by Foster’s innovative pop mind.

“Rock That!” was a compelling instrumental that carried on the glorious tradition of EWF’s instrumentals. The tune offered a great example of the sumptuous level of EWF’s and Foster’s collective work. “Rock That!” presented a perfectly constructed groove that served as the foundation of the group’s funky performance. This danceable jam felt like a melting pot where a marching band meets a jazz/fusion combo with the overtones of a rock group. The inventive horn and string arrangements, courtesy of arranger-supreme Jerry Hey and Foster respectively, are brilliant and add both energy and sophistication to the track. The rock touch is guaranteed by Toto’s main man Steve Lukather whose screaming guitar shines in the middle of this muscular track. A rousing song like “Rock That!” and the whole I Am album are pure listening bliss. The album portrayed a pivotal time in Foster’s career that should be discovered or re-discovered by music lovers for the amazing value of these songs. Without a doubt, some of The Hitman’s all-time best.

Listen

Keyboards: David Foster & Larry Dunn
Bass: Verdine White
Drums: Fred White
Guitars: Steve Lukather, Johnny Graham & Al McKay
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa, Philip Bailey & Ralph Johnson

Horns Arranged by Jerry Hey
Strings Arranged by David Foster
Produced by Maurice White

Lyrics

No Lyrics

“There aren’t enough words to express how I feel about you, your contribution to musical history and your contribution to my personal growth. You are my mentor. Much of what I’ve learned has come from listening, not only to your music, but dissecting the magic way in which you create it”. These words say something about the role Maurice White has had in the musical evolution of David Foster. We surely know that the love and respect is mutual cause Maurice White has always said great things about Foster’s amazing talent and important contributions to Earth, Wind & Fire’s career.

“I Am”, released in 1979, was the first, unforgettable step of this collaboration.The first taste of the musical marriage of Foster’s pop sensibility with Earth, Wind & Fire’s r&b grooves. Once jazz guitar legend Pat Metheny said that “After The Love Is Gone” was probably the last time that any pop/r&b artist ever managed (attempted?) to get anything that harmonically sophisticated out there to the masses via the top 40. One year later, “Faces” was the follow up, a double album, filled with beautiful tunes like “Take It To The Sky”, “Sailaway” and the first hit single “Let Me Talk”. Here EW&F were even more inspired by the pop sounds of Foster, Gino Vannelli and Toto, no wonder Vannelli’s brother Ross co-wrote “You Went Away” and Toto’s Steve Lukather is all over the funky/rock tune “Back On The Road”. The influence of David Foster is strong all over the project, but especially in the two songs he co-wrote: “You”, a gorgeous ballad that echoes “After The Love Is Gone”, and our incredible song of the week, the up-tempo, feeling good number “And Love Goes On”. From the opening keyboard riff you know it’s a Foster showcase, but listen also to the gorgeous vocal harmonies of Maurice White and Philip Bailey and appreciate the genius behind the arrangements. Check also out the classic strings and horns (courtesy of David Foster & Jerry Hey) and lose yourself listening to the beauty of its sounds.

This song reached Billboard’s r&b top 15 and it was also a minor pop entry. Foster and White have collaborated on other projects for Earth, Wind & Fire and for other artists as well, like Jennifer Holliday, Deniece Williams (look in our archives for those reviews) and the Emotions. Look for EW&F’s new cd, entitled “The Promise”, to be released this month to listen to their timeless sounds and melodies once again.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/and_love_goes_on.mp3|titles=AND LOVE GOES ON|artists=Earth, Wind and Fire]

Lead Vocals: Maurice White
Keyboards: David Foster & Larry Dunn
Guitar: Al McKay & Johnny Graham
Bass: Verdine White
Percussion: Ralph Johnson, Philip Bailey & Paulinho Da Costa
Background Vocals: Philip Bailey & Maurice White
Strings arranged by David Foster
Horns arranged by Jerry Hey
Produced by Maurice White

Lyrics

I would be so willing to give you all I got
You’re a special lady, forget me not
I could be so tender, for the likes of you
Let my heart surrender

And love goes on
On and on
Your heart beats strong
As love goes on

Everyday, I’m wishing for that day to come
Feeling superstitious hoping she’s the one
One day I’m lonely, next with plenty smiles
Love I find amusing

And love goes on
On and on
Your heart beats strong
As love goes on

Oh, oh, oh, and if we can’t work it out
you should know, without a doubt
I will always be the one you can turn to
A friend until the end, no matter where we’ve been
Sometimes you can’t hold on
You got to give it space – yea yea

And love goes on
On and on
Your heart beats strong
As love goes on

Baby we can work it out
Yes I really love you, and without a doubt
I can make you happy,
plant good memory that will last forever

And love goes on
On and on
Your heart beats strong
As love goes on