Written by David Foster, Fee Waybill, Michael Landau, John Robinson & Humberto Gatica

David Foster’s reputation as a world-class music maker is partially due to his seminal work on chart topping ballads like Earth, Wind & Fire’s “After The Love Has Gone,” Chicago’s “Hard To Say I’m Sorry,” the late Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” or Cèline Dion’s “Because You Loved Me.” The Canadian super-producer also brought that same, irresistible melodic appeal and his formidable knack for inventive arrangements to more left-field projects for big names including Alice Cooper and The Tubes.

Although these acts were known for their rock music, Foster carefully crafted tunes for them that exhibit a refined atmosphere with an ear candy flavor that was tailor-made for mainstream radio playing. Foster brought this same concept to Fee Waybill’s Read My Lips. After The Tubes’ incomprehensible refusal to work again with the Hitman after their successful one-two punch of The Completion Backward Principle and Outside Inside, the band’s front man would go on to team up with the Canadian music maker on Waybill’s 1984 debut album. Foster’s and Waybill’s original idea was to join forces to create an album that would deliver more hits like “Talk To Ya Later” and “She’s A Beauty.” With this purpose in mind, they collaborated extensively on Read My Lips with the axe-man of Toto, uber-talented Steve Lukather, who co-wrote rockers with them and graced the music with his powerful guitar. The result would have been huge with catchy rock anthems like “Saved My Life,” “You’re Still Laughing” or the golden ballad “I Don’t Even Know Your Name (Passion Play).” Unfortunately, Capitol Records boycotted Read My Lips. Capitol’s non-existent promotion showed that they were probably afraid that the eventual success of Read My Lips would have brought The Tubes to an end. Foster proves again that he is an absolute master when it comes to enhancing the level of a composition with his art of arranging. He brought to life some pop/rock gems including “Caribbean Sunsets” and “Who Loves You Baby”  from Read My Lips that have been reviewed in the past.

 This week, the spotlight is on the catchy number “Nobody’s Perfect.” This mid-tempo rocker is an A-team affair composed by Waybill and Foster with virtuoso guitarist Michael Landau, legendary drummer John Robinson and famed engineer Humberto Gatica. “Nobody’s Perfect” presents a catchy melody with a sing-along, guitar-driven refrain that leads to a wall of keyboards in the high-tech bridge that is 100% Foster. Waybill shows his chops with a splendid lead performance while Landau’s burning guitar, Robinson’s energetic drumming and Foster’s keyboards and synths reiterate they are key elements that make this recording sing. Read My Lips is an extremely interesting listen for those who only know Foster for his aforementioned pop/adult contemporary hit ballads or his platinum work with Michael Bublè, Josh Groban or Andrea Bocelli. It shows the all-around talent of the Canadian super-producer who, during the course of his long career, has graced almost every style of music with his strong personality and extraordinary results.

Listen

Lead Vocals: Fee Waybill
Keyboards: David Foster
Guitars: Michael Landau & Steve Lukather
Drums: John Robinson
Bass: Larry Klein
Keyboards & Synthesizers Programming: Steve Porcaro
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa

Lyrics

No Lyrics

written by Bill Champlin

This week we go back, once again, to one of the early masterpieces of David Foster’s career, Bill Champlin’s “Single.” Released in 1978, “Single” is one of those albums that helped define a certain music genre that fans usually call quality pop or westcoast pop.

Basically, it is elegant pop music with a strong funky/soul taste and jazz influences in its instrumental structure. This music style that saw Foster and Jay Graydon among its leading figures, mixed Burt Bacharach’s unique pop sensibility with Stevie Wonder’s and Maurice White’s most refined melodies plus Quincy Jones’ top notch sounds. “Single,” impeccably produced by Foster for the amazing vocal chords and songwriting genius of Bill Champlin, was way ahead of its times musically and went unnoticed by the masses though it helped spread the word in the industry about these gifted newcomers. Listening to ballads like “We Both Tried” and “Elayne” it isn’t difficult to find the same seeds of a masterpiece like “After The Love Is Gone” that was also recorded on the same sessions but skipped to let Earth, Wind & Fire include it on their multi-platinum album,“I Am.” “Single” is a total joy to listen to from start to finish even today, almost 35 years after its original release. There are so many gems to mention but, this time around, we’d like to focus on a funky number entitled “Fly With Me.” Written by Champlin, “Fly With Me” is a stunning funk/soul jam that’s dominated by the singer’s muscular baritone who truly flies high on the ear candy music background that rivals the best things ever done by Earth, Wind & Fire. Let’s not overlook the fact that Champlin was really one of the best singers around and his vocal arrangements were seconds to none. With its irresistible beat, tight horns, rhythm guitars, keyboards and vocals “Fly With Me” makes it easy to understand why Foster became a key element on EWF’s next few albums. We all know who David Foster is today but if you want to fully understand how he developed into the world’s most successful producer, take a listen to this  song and its parent album cause here is where it all started.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/fly_with_me.mp3|titles=Fly With Me|artists=Bill Champlin]

Lead Vocals: Bill Champlin
Keyboards: David Foster & Bill Champlin
Guitars: Jay Graydon & Ray Parker, Jr.
Bass: David Shields
Drums: Jeff Porcaro & Larry Tolbert
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
Synthesizer Programming: Jay Graydon & Steve Porcaro
Horns: Jerry Hey, Gary Grant, Oscar Brashear, Larry Williams, Bruce Paulsen & George Bohannon
Backing Vocals: Bill Champlin, Carmen Twillie & Venette Gloud

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

Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

There’s a rising sun

Beside me while I sleep

She’s shinin’ on my dream

And although my eyes are closed

My slumber deep

Between us we can see
(chorus)

Fly with me

On a carpet made of love

High music

We can play

Love can show the way

Everyday we’ll be together

And forever

I love you

Of the seven ways of loving

We’ve discovered eight

While knowing all along

That seein’ heaven’s rays of light

Upon our fate

Is teachin’ us the song

(Repeat chorus)

written by David Foster, Kenny Loggins & Eva Ein Loggins

Kenny Loggins was one of the most successful pop male singers/songwriters of the Eighties in North America. After the triumphant success of “Footloose,” Loggins released the 1985 album “Vox Humana.” It was a well-dosed collection of high-tech pop with Rock and R&B overtones. The compositions are mostly synthesizers-driven with programmed drums, slick vocals and superior craft in the arrangements.

There are also several special guests present like Philip Bailey,  Richard Page and Steve George of Mr. Mister, Hamish Stuart, The Pointer Sisters and Marilyn Martin.

The album was mostly produced by the singer with one notable exception – the hit single power ballad, “Forever,” co-written and produced by David Foster. Foster co-wrote several other songs with Loggins on “Vox Humana” like the smooth mid-tempo “At Last,” the powerful “Loraine” and another up-tempo number entitled “I’ll Be There.” “I’ll Be There” was also released as a single plus made it to the charts at #88 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and #33 on the Adult Contemporary Chart. The song sports a delicious R&B beat with an ear candy refrain sung by Loggins with special guest El DeBarge. The vocal performances here and throughout the record are spectacular with Loggins’ fantastic use of his range. That single’s b-side was the rocking “No Lookin’ Back,” co-written with Michael McDonald. “Vox Humana” also includes a gem entitled “Love Will Follow” that’s a deliciously smooth, jazzy ballad and stands as one of the best album tracks of Loggins’ entire career. “Vox Humana” was certified gold and, though not as commercially successful as other Loggins’ records, is further evidence of his immense talent.

Lead Vocals: Kenny Loggins
Guitar: Michael Landau
Keyboards: David Foster
Synthesizers: Michael Boddicker & David Foster
Programmer: Erich Bulling on Yamaha DX-1
Drums: John Robinson
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
Backing Vocals: Bunny DeBarge & Eldra DeBarge

Produced by Kenny Loggins

Lyrics

Stand or fall
The love you have is all you have to give
As long as you live

On your own
You’re never all alone
There’ll be a light to guide you on
Remember that love is there

(stand your ground)
(stand your ground)
You made it this far, baby
Don’t let it go
(stand your ground)
(stand your ground)
This is the moment for you know, ohh

(I’ll be there)
(To hold you in my heart)
Cause our love is forever
(I’ll be there)
I’ll never let us drift apart
I’ll be there for you

Comes a day
Feels so filed away, so far to go
You should know by now

(I’ll see you)
You’re free
(I know)
How we used to be
(don’t need no heart)
You’ve got the power do whatever you desire
You’re gonna bet to win, you’re a survivor

(stand your ground)
Ohhhhhh
(stand your ground)
??????? wherever ?????? darling, ohh

(I’ll be there)
(To hold you in my heart)
Cause our love is forever
(I’ll be there)
I’ll never let us drift apart
I’ll be there for you

(I’ll be there)
(When you need to feel the love)
(When your love lasts forever)
(I’ll be there)
My heart is gonna be around
(You gotta love)
(You gotta love)
(You know you got my love)
Ohhhh
(You gotta love)
(You gotta love)
(You know you got my love)
Oh my love
(You gotta love)
(You gotta love)
(You know you got my love)

Woooo

(I’ll be there)
(To hold you in my heart)
Cause our love is forever
(I’ll be there)
I’ll never let us drift apart
(I’ll be there for you)

(I’ll be there)
(When you need to feel the love)
Cause our love is forever
(I’ll be there)
My heart is gonna be around
(I’ll be there for you)
{ad lib and fade to end