Written by David Foster, Tom Keane & Cynthia Weil

Robert Peapo “Peabo” Bryson was one of the kings of the soul/quiet storm genre from the second half of the seventies up to the nineties. His velvety and powerful tenor graced the charts and international airwaves with hits including “Reaching For The Sky,” “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” with Roberta Flack, “If Ever You’re In My Arms Again,” “Can You Stop The Rain,” “Beauty And The Beast” with Celine Dion and “A Whole New World” with Regina Belle.

In June 1994, Bryson released a new album titled Through The Fire. A few key tracks of that record were produced by David Foster who had just teamed up with the singer for the song “By The Time This Night Is Over,” a duet with saxman Kenny G. that became a solid, multi-format hit off the mega-successful soundtrack of the movie, The Bodyguard. The title-track of the album was a reworking of the classic 1985 Chaka Khan hit that Foster co-produced with the wonderful Arif Mardin (1932-2006) and co-wrote with his friends Tom Keane and Cynthia Weil. Bryson’s cover of “Through The Fire” sounds a tad dated today with its heavy programmed drums, but it was very enjoyable, nonetheless, for the superior quality of the singer’s performance and the top-notch level of the Hitman’s production. Bryson’s vocals are sheer proof that he was one of the few male singers that could do this song justice and could have almost almost rivalled Chaka’s spectacular original with a fully-played rhythm section. Foster’s arrangement and keyboards still gave the usual ear-candy with support from studio legends including keyboardist Robbie Buchanan, Dave Boruff on sax and Michael Thompson plucking his guitar. 

The Hitman kindly sent a few thoughts about Bryson and “Through The Fire:”

“I really loved Peabo Bryson’s singing and I still do today. He was so easy to work with and absolutely well prepared. A total treat. I gotta admit that our version of ‘Through The Fire’ sounds dated. About Chaka’s original I remember I recorded the track in Los Angeles and then sent it to Arif Mardin in New York so he could do Chaka’s vocals. The first vocal he sent back didn’t match my vision at all so I immediately gave him a few suggestions and they recorded it again and it was absolutely spectacular.”

Listen

• Lead Vocals: Peabo Bryson
• Keyboards: David Foster
• Synthesizer Programming & Additional Keyboards: Robbie Buchanan
• Drum Loop Master: Jeff Lorber
• Guitars: Michael Thompson
• Saxophone: Dave Boruff
• Backing Vocals: Katrina Perkins, Alex Brown, Yvonne Williams, Regina Troupe, September Gray & Peabo Bryson

• Strings Arranged by Jeremy Lubbock
• Produced & Arranged by David Foster
• Additional Production by Peabo Bryson

Lyrics

I look in your eyes and I can see
Your love’s so plain to see
You’re not trusting your heart to anyone
You tell me you’re gonna play it smart
We’re through before we start
But I believe we’ve only just begun

When it’s this good there’s no saying no
I want you so I’m ready to go

Through the fire to the limit to the wall
For a chance to be with you I’d gladly risk it all
Through the fire, through what ever come what may
For the chance of loving you I’d take it all the way
Right down to the wire even through the fire

I know your afraid of what you feel
You still need time to heal
I can help if you only let me try
You touched me and something in me knew
What I could have with you
Now I’m not ready to kiss that dream goodbye

When it’s this sweet there’s no saying no
I want you so I’m ready to go

Through the fire to the limit to the wall
For a chance to be with you I’d gladly risk it all
Through the fire, through what ever come what may
For the chance of loving you I’d take it all the way
Right down to the wire even through the fire

Through the test of time
Through the test of time
I’m willing to go

Through the fire to the limit to the wall
For a chance to be with you I’d gladly risk it all
Through the fire, through what ever come what may
For the chance of loving you I’d take it all the way
Right down to the wire even through the fire

Veteran R&B star Peabo Bryson started his noteworthy career in the second part of the seventies. Bryson released a string of refined soul albums that spawned chart hits like “Reaching For The Sky,” “Feel The Fire,” “I’m So Into You” and “Let The Feeling Flow.” Bryson’s creamy tenor was also featured on romantic duets with female stars including Melissa Manchester on “Lovers After All,” Roberta Flack on “Tonight I Celebrate My Love” and Natalie Cole on “Gimme Some Time.”

The singer’s knack for hit duets kept going into the early nineties with Regina Belle on “A Whole New World” and Celine Dion on “Beauty And The Beast.” The huge one-two punch of Disney love themes brought Bryson back into the spotlight and crossed him over to pop/adult contemporary audiences. His success also brought Bryson an offer from David Foster to join the all-star lineup of the super-producer’s 1994 Japanese tour. Those concerts featured Bryson singing “Beauty And The Beast” with Dion and “A Whole New World” with Wendy Moten plus a performance of the new ballad “Why Goodbye.”

Composed by top tunesmith Diane Warren, “Why Goodbye” was a perfect fit for Bryson’s golden voice. The song sported a gorgeous melody and evocative refrain with intense, bittersweet lyrics. The production is a textbook of Foster’s work of the nineties with an ear candy arrangement based on prominent keyboards and lush strings to back-up Bryson’s top-notch vocal performance. Foster went on to produced a studio version of the song which was included on the singer’s next album, “Through The Fire.” Although “Why Goodbye” was released as a single, the song was only a minor hit on the R&B chart despite its potential.

Around this same time, Foster and Bryson collaborated on “By The Time This Night Is Over.” That tune was a duet with saxophone king Kenny G and became a multi-format hit in 1993.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/why_goodbye.mp3|titles=Why Goodbye|artists=Peabo Bryson]

Lead Vocals: Peabo Bryson
Keyboards: Randy Kerber
Additional Synthesizers: Claude Gaudette
Guitar: Michael Thompson
Bass: Neil Stubenhaus
Drums: John “J.R.” Robinson
Background Vocals: Warren Weibe, Alex Brown, Carmen Carter
String Arrangements by Bill Ross & David Foster

Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

So are we over now
Do we just turn the page and let the story end
Do we just walk away just like we never met
I know we said some things and now you want to leave
But baby, that’s no reason to let it good love die

Why goodbye
Why must it be this way
So many words
So many other words that we could say

Why goodbye
After all this time
Can’t we try
Why goodbye

Why can’t we work it out
Why can’t we talk it out a little more this time
Search through the rain and find a ray of hope still shines
We can’t just close the door
We’re still worth still fighting for
We’ve come too far together to leave it all behind

Why goodbye
Why must it be this way
So many words
So many other words that we could say

Why goodbye
After all this time
Can’t we try
Why goodbye

There no other love is never reason
You get lost along the way, but in time you will find your way through
We can make it to the badtimes,
We can make it to the goodtimes
To the stormy weather coz we belong together

Why goodbye
Why must it be this way
So many words
So many other words that we could say

Why goodbye
After all this time
Can’t we try
Why goodbye

Can’t we try this one more time
We know were still worth one more try
Why goodbye
Why goodbye
Why goodbye

written by  David Foster & Linda Thompson

In 1994, David Foster was invited in Japan to perform live at the JT Super Producers event. For that special occasion he assembled a spectacular live band that included stellar players like Michael Thompson, Lee Sklar, Chester Thompson and the Seawind Horns to back-up special guests like Celine Dion, Jay Graydon, Color Me Badd, Wendy Moten and Peabo Bryson.

Televised in Japan, the special was a huge success and can be considered the forerunner of Foster’s recent Hitman concerts and TV special.

The JT Super Producers concert included many of Foster’s greatest hits plus a new composition co-written with Linda Thompson entitled “Love Lights The World.” Considered the theme song of the event, “Love Lights The World” was beautifully sung by Dion, Bryson and Color Me Badd and was issued as a single in Japan . It’s a powerful anthem with impeccable vocals and a big crescendo that can sit among other Foster dramatic ballads like “Voices That Care” and “The Power Of The Dream.” “Love Lights The World” was the title track of Foster’s 1994 solo album. Its positive and meaningful lyrics also made the song a part of a special album entitled “For Our Children Too” to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/love_lights_the_world.mp3|titles=Love lights the world|artists=Celine Dion]

Lead Vocals: Celine Dion, Peabo Bryson & Color Me Badd
Keyboards: David Foster
Guitars: Michael Thompson
Synthesizer Programming: Simon Franglen & Tony Smith
Backing Vocals:  Anita Sherman, Gene Van Buren, Jessica Williams , Sue Ann Carwel, Suzie Carr, Terry Bradford, Terry Young, Tim Feehan

Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

Somewhere in this world
Someone shed a tear
Somebody just like you
Feels the way you do

Somewhere in this world
Someone understands
Another needs a helping hand
Help them if you can

I can touch you where you are
We both share every star
‘Cause a common thread runs through
Life means much the same to all
So let’s tear down every wall
And build a bridge from me to you

When will we put fear aside?
Why can’t we throw away false pride?
Every heart will glow when
Love lights up the world
No need to walk in the dark
We don’t have to stand so far apart
Every heart will know when
Love lights up the world

Mothers everywhere
Babies at their breast
One love is like the rest
A universal bond
All around the world

Children laugh and play
Every boy and girl
The future of the world
As time continues on

I can touch you where you are
We both share every star
‘Cause a common thread runs through
Life means much the same to all
So let’s tear down every wall
And build a bridge from me to you

When will we put fear aside?
Why can’t we throw away false pride?
Every heart will glow when
Love lights up the world
No need to walk in the dark
We don’t have to stand so far apart
Every heart will know when
Love lights up the world

When will we put fear aside?
Why can’t we throw away false pride?
Every heart will glow when
Love lights up the world
Love is gonna light this whole world
No need to walk in the dark
We don’t have to stand so far apart
Every heart will glow when
Love lights up the world

Love lights the world
Love lights the world
Let me hear it one more time
Love lights the world
And it shines on you

Love lights the world
Love lights the world
Let’s sing it one more time
Love lights the world
Love lights up the world
And it shines on you

Love lights the world
Love lights up the world
Love lights the world
Love lights up the world
Love lights up the world
Love lights up the world

“I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” taken from David Foster’s 1994 “Christmas Album,” is as refined and classy as holiday music can get. This song is perfect with all the ingredients to make it absolutely delicious. We have two of the best singers in the business trading lines, Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack, a winning duo with plenty of hits under their respective belts. David Foster and the incredible Greg Phillinganes arranged the song. Then we have the best guys around when it comes to provide soothing strings for a special piece of music, Johnny Mandel and Jeremy Lubbock, plus Jerry Hey, another absolute god, takes care of the sweet horn arrangement while playing his trademark flugelhorn licks.
The song echoes some of the finest work that David Foster has produced over the years for Earth, Wind & Fire, Peter Allen, and Boz Scaggs. “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” is just one of the many great moments on Foster’s “The Christmas Album.” This record is filled with perfect music for a nice, romantic holiday with your loved ones. The super-producer also “fosterized” some of the most famous holiday songs like “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire),” “Blue Christmas,” “O Holy Night,” and “White Christmas” with the help of friends like Celine Dion, Johnny Mathis, Natalie Cole, Wynonna, Vanessa Williams and Tom Jones. It also includes a beautiful arrangement of “Carol Of The Bells” performed by Foster on piano, plus “Grown-Up Christmas List,” co-written by Foster and Linda Thompson, which has quickly become a new Christmas classic and has been covered by some of the best in the business.
On a final note, we’d like to wish a Merry Christmas to all of you who kindly read our weekly reviews and your families.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/i_ll_be_home_for_christmas.mp3|titles=I’ll be home for christmas|artists=Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack]

Lead Vocals: Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack
Keyboards: Greg Phillinganes & Larry Williams
Bass: Nathan East
Drums: John Robinson
Strings arranged by Johnny Mandel & Jeremy Lubbock
Horns arranged by Jerry Hey
Arranged by David Foster & Greg Phillinganes
Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

I’ll be home for Christmas.
You can count on me.
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree.
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love-light gleams.
I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams.

I’m dreaming tonight
Of a place I love
With every glow of candlelight
And every star above
And although I know
It’s a long road back, it’s true
I’ll be home for Christmas
This one thing I promise you.

I’ll be home for Christmas.
You can count on me.
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree.
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love-light gleams.
I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams.

Oh oh ah I’ll be home for Christmas.
You can count on me.
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents under the tree.
Oh Christmas Eve is gonna find me
Where the love-light gleams.
I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams.

Peabo Bryson is without doubt one of the most personal and gifted r&b singers of the last thirty years, whose rich tenor has often visited the top of the charts and shared the bill with singers like Roberta Flack and Natalie Cole. David Foster in 1994 was red hot from the Bodyguard soundtrack triumph, while Bryson was enjoying a very important comeback with his hit duets with Celine Dion and Regina Belle, so they paired for the singer’s new project, “Through The Fire”. David Foster played an important role on the record, producing four tracks. “Why Goodbye”, the first single, was a good Dianne Warren ballad with a great vocal performance by Bryson while another couple were rem!kes of two Foster classics, the title track and “You Can Have Me Anytime”. “Through The Fire” is nice but can’t beat Chaka Khan’s definitive version, while “You Can Have Me Anytime” is very close to Boz Scaggs’ original for mood and intensity.

Bryson sings with power and passion surrounded by strings perfectly arranged by Foster with Bill Ross. Michael Thompson shares the spotlight with the singer, playing a warm guitar solo (Carlos Santana played it on Scaggs’ one) and also adding some tasteful licks throughout the song. All’n’all a very good effort that we suggest you to check out and enjoy.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/you_can_have_me_anytime.mp3|titles=YOU CAN HAVE ME ANYTIME|artists=Peabo Bryson]

Lead Vocals: Peabo Bryson
Keyboards: Randy Kerber
Guitar: Michael Thompson
Drums: John Robinson
Bass: Neil Stubenhaus
Additional Synths: Simon Franglen
Arranged by David Foster
Strings arranged by Bill Ross and David Foster
Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

Here We Are,
In A Room Full Of Strangers
And An Open Door
Here We Are,
Away From All Danger
But That Open Door Is Calling Out Again
Acting Like A Friend Who Wants To Know
If You Might Come Away
I Wonder What You’ll Say
You Wonder Out Again

*On WIngs Of The Night
Once Again You’ll Take Flight
And I Don’t Hear Your Voice Anymore
Tonights Dreams Will End
But I’ll Stay Long After Then
And You Can Have Me Anytime

Here We Are
Alone In The Shadows Of Our Lonely Room
Here We Are
We All Hollows Those Very Lonely Rooms
Like A Faithless Child
Frightened Of The Wild He Runs And Hides
To Keep From Being Still
We Run Around Until
We Lose Ourselves Again