Nigel Olsson’s name is unavoidably associated with Elton John’s band. Olsson has played drums on and off with the UK superstar since the early seventies for over 2,000 live shows and dozens of studio recordings. Olsson appeared on seminal albums like Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player, 21 At 33, Caribou, up to Sir Elton’s most recent recording titled Wonderful Crazy Night released February 2016.

Thanks to his Elton John connection, Olsson developed a solid solo career in the seventies with a few album releases showcasing his catchy, melodic pop vein. His material wasn’t far from light, adult pop singers like Leo Sayer, Kenny Nolan or the late Paul Davis (April 21, 1948 to April 22, 2008) who, not surprisingly, produced Olsson’s 1979 Nigel album. The big plus on Olsson’s seventies recordings was a songwriting partnership with David Foster who brought his musical prowess, melodic talent and arranging bravura to the plate. Olsson and the gifted, young Canadian music-maker co-wrote dramatic ballads including “Please Don’t Tease,” “Something Lacking In Me” and “Cassey Blue” that can be read in the archives. All those songs featured winning melodies, prominent orchestral work and gorgeous piano performances by Foster backing up Olsson’s vocals. Although Olsson did a fair job with his vocal performances, the value of those compositions, the superior craft of the arrangements and execution deserved the confident voice of a Barry Manilow or Olsson’s producer Davis to fully shine.

“All It Takes” was another gem included on Nigel and the Song of the Week. An orchestral ballad, it showed the seeds of what Foster would create a few years later with hits like Chicago’s “Hard To Say I’m Sorry” or Kenny Loggins’ “Forever.” “All It Takes” had an intimate intro with Olsson’s tender singing backed up by Foster’s beautiful piano. The song built up to the powerful refrain in full orchestral mode. The arrangement echoed Phil Spector’s famed “wall of sound” technique, but there were also strong resonances of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys in the vocal harmonies. Given its radio-friendly potential, “All It Takes” only became the b-side of the album’s last single, “Part Of The Chosen Few,” that failed to chart after two back to back top 40 entries, Olsson’s “Little Bit Of Soap” and “Dancin’ Shoes.”

Listen

Lead & Background Vocals, Percussion & Drums: Nigel Olsson
Keyboards: David Foster & Paul Schaffer
Electric & Acoustic Guitars: Richie Zito, Eddie Patterson & Jay Graydon
Bass: Joe Chemay, Ray Ransom & David Wintour
Percussion: James Stroud & Ray Cooper
Background Vocals: Paul Davis, Marilyn Scott, Brenda Russell, Stephanie Spruill, Bruce Johnston etc.

Vocal Arrangement by Paul Davis & Nigel Olsson
Orchestral Arrangement by David Foster
Produced by Paul Davis & Nigel Olsson

Lyrics

No Lyrics

Nigel Olsson is the legendary drummer who has been part of Elton John’s band (with a couple of breaks) for the past thirty-five years. “Cassey Blue/Au Revoir” was co-written with David Foster and included on his 1978 album, “Nigel Olsson.” “Cassey Blue” starts as a sweet ballad, but it suddenly develops into a showcase for Foster who arranges the long symphonic part and plays a very intense acoustic piano break. With an almost classical middle section, “Au Revoir” begins and concludes in a more typical ballad style.
Foster co-wrote three songs on the record that was re-released one year later in the USA with a different title, “Nigel,” and a slightly different track listing that included two minor Billboard hits; “A Little Bit Of Soap” and “Dancin’ Shoes.”
Olsson doesn’t have a very distinctive voice, but it works nicely with the material here even if he strains a little on a few notes. On the other hand, the music is really good here, sweet and breezy in the same pop/AC vein as Barry Manilow or Leo Sayer. The musicianship is first class as well with guests like Paul Schaffer, Jay Graydon, Marilyn Scott, Brenda Russell, Ray Cooper, Bruce Johnston and many others.
Nigel Olsson released another good record in 1980 entitled “Changing Tides.” It included a nice cover of Airplay’s “Should We Carry On.” The drummer also appeared on Foster’s “River Of Love” in 1990. Here’s what Nigel Olsson had to say about David Foster in an interview:
“I’ve done some things recently with David Foster. I love working with him though I don’t ever really know what it’s for when I’m doing it. He tends to cut tracks in the studio and nobody knows who will end up singing the vocals. I always have fun working with David. I’ve known him a long, long time. We used to work a lot together and we have a great comfort zone together because we are on the same wavelength musically.”

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/cassey_blue_au_revoir.mp3|titles=Cassey Blue/Au Revoir|artists=Nigel Olsson]

Lead Vocal: Nigel Olsson
Guitars: Richie Zito, Jay Graydon & Ronn Price
Keyboards: David Foster
Bass: Joe Chemay & Don Barrett
Drums: Nigel Olsson & Mike Baird
Percussion: Nigel Olsson & Ray Cooper
Backing Vocals: Paul Davis, Nigel Olsson etc.
Orchestral arrangement by David Foster
Vocal arrangement by Nigel Olsson & Paul Davis
Produced by Paul Davis & Nigel Olsson

Lyrics

CASSEY BLUE

Please don’t cry because of me
You know that I’ll come back to
See it through
Sweet Cassey Blue
No it’s not a dream that can’t come true
‘Cause I’ll spend my waking hours with
You too Cassey Blue

Just believe what mummy says
‘Cause she’ll be there to do the rest,
It’s true
My Cassey Blue
Cassey Blue

We say hello and then goodbye
I love you very much, don’t cry
See you soon Cassey Blue

AU REVOIR

Au Revoir is not goodbye
But leavin’ you still makes me cry
Here I sit and wonder why
It feels so right

You say bonjour it means hello
We’re not quite sure which way to go
If they only knew the way we were
They’d be surprised

‘Cause they never really knew it
But there’s really something to this
Love of mine
So don’t look so sad
Think of all that we have

You think it’s not enough for me
But don’t you think it’s plain to see
It’s just a phase we’re going through
You are my life

So it’s Au Revoir for you and I
‘Cause we just can’t bring ourselves
To say goodbye
Here I sit and wonder why
It feels so right

‘Cause they never really knew it
But there’s really something to this
Love of mine
So don’t look so sad
Think of all that we have

Au Revoir is not goodbye
But leavin’ you still makes me cry
Here I sit and wonder why
It feels so right

Au Revoir
Au Revoir