Written by Peter Allen & David Lasley

In 1980, the great Peter Allen (1944-1992) released his career’s most commercially successful album, Bi-Coastal. Produced by David Foster, Bi-Coastal, with its smooth, refined content, was considered one of the seminal records of the west coast/pop genre. Foster and Allen co-wrote the bulk of the album. They delivered a string of pop masterpieces including the Billboard’s Hot 100 entry “Fly Away.”

A gorgeous ballad additionally co-written by Carole Bayer Sager, “Fly Away” went on to be #55 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and #45 on the Adult Contemporary chart. That song, and other gems from Bi-Coastal, were previously reviewed here and can be rediscovered in the archives.

Another beautiful moment on Bi-Coastal, and the song for this week is “Somebody’s Angel.”

“Somebody’s Angel”  was co-written by Allen and David Lasley (1947-2021), another genius singer/songwriter that sadly died last year. Lasley was responsible for some timeless songs including “You Bring Me Joy” for Anita Baker and “Lead Me On” for Maxine Nightingale. “Somebody’s Angel” was a tender ballad that featured one of Allen’s most heartfelt performances. Foster’s instrumental arrangement was a thing of beauty with the trademark mix of piano and Rhodes that led the melody. Erich Bulling, LA based Chilean arranger, conductor and producer wrote a gorgeous string arrangement. Allen’s amazing, warm vocal was supported by the angelic harmonies of two young singers, Richard Page and Steve George. Page and George would soon become the kings of LA vocal sessions and, eventually, the main men of the successful pop/rock band, Mr. Mister.

A true masterpiece, “Somebody’s Angel” was sung by Dionne Warwick on her 1980 hit album, No Night So Long. A year later, Sarah Dash (1945-2021) sung the ballad on her little-known, but noteworthy, Close Enough record.

Listen

• Lead Vocal & Fender Rhodes: Peter Allen
• Piano: David Foster
• Drums: Ralph Humphreys
• Bass: Mike Porcaro
• Guitar: Richie Zito
• Backing Vocals: Richard Page & Steve George

• Strings Arrangement by Erich Bulling
• Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

Everybody’s been taking
‘Till my poor heart is breaking
It’s so hard believing
That life is worth living
But now that I met you
I see a chance that you might come through
Don’t let me down
Right now I stand
My heart in your hand
So please
Don’t you wanna be somebody’s angel
Just for tonight
Only you can save me
Only you do it right
Don’t tell me I’m crazy
When I say forever’s not far away
Just close your eyes
Repeat after me
Hold on
Say I love you

“Bi-Coastal” was the title-track of the late Peter Allen’s (1944 to 1992) 1980 album and its first single. Like the whole Bi-Coastal record, the song was produced by David Foster who co-wrote it with Allen and frequent collaborator Tom Keane. “Bi-Coastal” was a flamboyant number that mixes a compelling four/four time disco rhythm with some smart, tongue-in-cheek lyrics written by Allen.

Foster added his polished touch to the instrumental arrangement with the help of Jerry Hey and his usual hard-hitting work in the horns department. Their inventive work was brought to life by the usual all-star group of session aces including Steve Lukather on guitar, the late Mike Porcaro (1955 to 2015) on bass and Ed Greene on drums. Foster played various keyboards on the track while sax virtuoso Gary Herbig played the rousing solo. Allen delivered a convincing vocal performance with the support of the smooth harmonies by Richard Page and Steve George. “Bi-Coastal” was a very fun song to listen to and became a minor hit for Allen on the dance chart reaching #79. That single’s b-side was a moving ballad titled “Simon” that featured a tender vocal by Allen wearing his heart on his sleeve while being perfectly backed up by Foster’s rarefied arrangement. Check out the archives for earlier reviews of other gems from Bi-Coastal including the silky hit, “Fly Away,” the bittersweet ballad “When This Love Affair Is Over” and the irresistible mid-tempo “One Step Over The Borderline.”

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Peter-Allen-Bi-Coastal-1980-HQ-Sound.mp3|titles=Bi-Coastal|artists=Peter Allen]

Lead Vocals: Peter Allen
Keyboards: David Foster
Fender Rhodes: Tom keane
Bass: Mike Porcaro
Drums: Ed Greene
Guitar: Steve Lukather
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
Sax Solo: Gary Herbig
Saxophone: Larry Williams
Trumpets: Jerry Hey, Larry Hall & Gary Grant
Trombone: Bill Reichenbach & Lew McCrary
Backing Vocals: Richard Page & Steve George

Horn Arrangements by Jerry Hey
Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

You used to live in New York City
Then you moved to L.A
But you still miss the streets
Where you used to play

So you hurry on back there
Even leave your pool and your car
Only to find you no longer belong
Fool, don’t you know what you are

Yeah, hit the streets at midnight
Still dancing after dawn
But something seems to be missing
Just what are you running from

Do you like your love in the dark
Or laid out in the sun?
When you can’t make up your mind
Don’t you know what you’ve become

Bi-coastal, miss the natural speed of the city
Bi-coastal, California’s fine if you’re pretty

You can always hear me singing
Oh, say can you see?
From the towers of Manhattan
To the hills of Beverly

All those girls on TV movies
All those boys on Broadway
When you can’t make up your mind
You know you go either way

Bi-coastal, miss the natural speed of the city
Bi-coastal, California’s fine if you’re pretty, oh yeah
Bi-coastal, miss the natural speed of the city, oh yeah, yeah
Bi-coastal, California’s fine if you’re pretty

Bi-coastal, when both are so much fun
Tell me why do you have to pick, why do you have to pick
Why do you have to pick one?

1980 was a pivotal year for David Foster’s career. The previous year saw his first big achievement with Earth, Wind & Fire’s I Am. The young music-maker went on to craft several ear-candy productions for Boz Scaggs, Average White Band, Tavares, the late Peter Allen (February 10, 1944 to June 18, 1992) and his own Airplay project that won the hearts of the many quality pop aficionados worldwide. Foster’s music was, way back when, an irresistible mix of pop, soul and rock delivered with catchy hooks and jazz-influenced arrangements.Peter Allen’s Bi-Coastal album was one of those early gems where Foster introduced his superior, “behind the glass” touch to the world. That album included some really great songwriting and was a goldmine in terms of production and instrumental executions. Song of the Week have celebrated Bi-Coastal many times and the archives contain past reviews of definitive pop masterpieces including “Fly Away,” “One Step Over The Borderline,” “Pass This Time” and “I Don’t Go Shopping.” Refined ballads, groovy mid-tempos and even a danceable title track, Bi-Coastal can be correctly considered a pinnacle of Allen’s career and a showcase for his amazing talent. Bi-Coastal was also evidence that Foster was destined for greatness.

The album closed with an emotional ballad entitled “When This Love Affair Is Over” that was co-written by Foster and Allen. It was seen as one of the most beautiful ballads in the Foster songbook. Foster’s music and his inspired arrangement meet the late singer/songwriter’s gorgeous lyrics and the scenario here was absolutely enchanting. Allen sings with the right amount of tenderness with a touch of bittersweet aftertaste in his moving performance. Foster’s celebrated piano and rhodes support Allen with special guest Steve Lukather playing an evocative guitar solo. Two other legends from Toto, the late Jeff (April 1, 1954 to August 5, 1992) and Mike (May 29, 1955 to March 15, 2015) Porcaro own the rhythm section on this number. The Canadian genius also co-wrote the soothing string and horns arrangement with Jerry Hey who played his trademark flugelhorn accents. Their brilliant work takes the level of sophistication of this song to the max. “When This Love Affair Is Over” offers a brief instrumental coda that’s pure bliss with the angelic vocal harmonies of Richard Page and Steve George and sure to put a big smile on Foster fan faces.

This magical ballad was rediscovered around the end of the eighties by the late, great jazz singer Mark Murphy (March 14, 1932 to October 22, 2015) who covered it on his September Ballads album. If interested, the past review of that jazz-infused rendition of ” When This Love Affair Is Over” can be found here.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Peter-Allen-When-a-love-affair-is-over.mp3|titles=When This Love Affair Is Over|artists=Peter Allen]

Lead Vocals: Peter Allen
Keyboards: David Foster
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Mike Porcaro
Guitars & Guitar Solo: Steve Lukather
Percussion: Jose Rossy
Background Vocals: Richard Page & Steve George

Strings & Horns Arranged by David Foster & Jerry Hey
Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

In this life where nothing’s certain
Let me tell you one thing that’s for sure
When this love affair is over
I won’t love anymore

You have seen the final curtain
When you leave please close the door
When this love affair is over
I won’t love anymore

I’ve been everywhere and back
And everything I’ve seen
Points me straight towards the fact
I don’t want to go
When I’ve already been

So if you ask me who I’m fooling
Like I said everytime before
When this love affair is over
I won’t love anymore
I won’t love anymore

written by Peter Allen & David Lasley

“I Don’t Go Shopping” is a sweet love song by the late Peter Allen that was originally included on his 1980 album, “Bi-Coastal.” The Australian-born singer/songwriter and Broadway performer co-wrote this tender ballad with David Lasley, another outstanding talent of James Taylor’s band fame. Lasley, a super-fine singer/songwiter to his own credit, is also the composer of pop gems like Anita Baker’s “You Bring Me Joy” and Maxine Nightingale’s “Lead Me On.” The meeting of these two creative minds resulted in “I Don’t Go Shopping.” That song and “Bi-Coastal” were both produced by David Foster.

The superior creativity of the now-legendary Canadian music-maker lends to “I Don’t Go Shopping” very sophisticated arrangement. The comfy texture of the jazzy accompaniment gave the tune a torch-song-like atmosphere. Allen beautifully sings the romantic lyrics and plays piano supported by Foster’s smooth touch on the electric piano. The silky strings arranged by Erich Bulling and a warm saxophone solo by Lon Price give this ballad a sentimental power that caught the eye of R&B songstress Patti Labelle. She recorded “I Don’t Go Shopping” for her 1980 album “Released”.

“Bi-Coastal” also included “Somebody’s Angel,” another rarefied ballad co-written by Allen and Lasley. This ditty was also covered that same year by soul diva Dionne Warwick on her record “No Night So Long.”

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/i_don_t_go_shopping.mp3|titles=I Dont Go Shipping|artists=Peter Allen]

Lead Vocals & Acoustic Piano: Peter Allen
Keyboards : David Foster
Bass: Dave McDaniel
Drums: Ralph Humphries
Alto Saxophone: Lon Price
String Arrangement by Erich Bulling
Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

I don’t go shopping for love
You’re something money can’t buy
I dream in colors
And my dreams are only shades of you
So I’m never blue

I don’t go wishing on a star
Just want to be where you are
Too many times it felt so right
But it was just the night, now I see the light

I don’t care nothing ’bout going out
Now that I found out what it’s all about
Hear me shout, I’ve saved it all up for you
And if you feel like I do, well, we’re long over due

I’m never out after dark
You’ll always find me here at home
And if you decide to stay up late

Hey baby, don’t you hesitate
Oh, I can’t hardly wait

I don’t care nothing ’bout going out
Now that I found what it’s all about
Hear me shout, I’ve saved it all up for you
And if you feel like I do, well, we’re long over due

I said we’re long overdue
What about me, what about you? Long overdue
What about me, what about you? Long overdue

I don’t go shopping, anymore
What about me, what about you
Long overdue

I don’t go shopping anymore

written by Peter Allen, David Foster & Carole Bayer Sager

In 2010 Sony Entertainment Japan released a compilation entitled “Jay Graydon Works.” As the title suggests, this collection is a tribute to the artistry of the legendary producer/songwriter/guitar player. It presents all the most important songs of Graydon’s career like EWF’s “After The Love Is Gone,” Al Jarreau’s “Mornin’” and George Benson’s “Turn Your Love Around.” David Foster co-wrote many of Graydon’s gems and their timeless collaborations are the bulk of “Jay Graydon Works.”

The album mostly focuses on Graydon’s talents as producer/songwriter but also picks a few selected tracks that he didn’t write or produce but where he left the mark with  his amazing guitar playing.  These songs are Boz Scaggs’ “Then She Walked Away,” Valerie Carter’s “What’s Become Of Us” and Peter Allen’s “Pass This Time.” The last tune in particular is a pop/soul goodie co-written and produced by Foster that comes from Allen’s unforgettable 1980 “Bi-Coastal” album.
“Pass This Time” oozes class from start to finish with an elegant arrangement, top notch performances and the late singer’s trademark voice. Graydon’s tasteful guitar solo is the ice on the cake.  This quality pop song is also worth listening to appreciate once again the immense talent of the rhythm section with Jeff and Mike Porcaro of Toto. The whole material included on “Jay Graydon Works” is a welcome reminder of an era made of elegant music perfectly crafted and performed by blooming geniuses like Jay Graydon and David Foster.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/pass_this_time.mp3|titles=Pass This Time|artists=Peter Allen]

Lead Vocal: Peter Allen
Keyboards & Synthesizers: David Foster
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Mike Porcaro
Guitar: Steve Lukather
Guitar Solo: Jay Graydon
Synthesizer: Larry Williams
Percussion: Josè Rossy
Saxophone Solo: Gary Herbig

Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

I never thought it would come to this
I thought the big one had come and gone
And after all those years of hit and miss
I was content to live my life alone
But you are the fire I could walk right into
And even now as I feel myself begin to

We could be fun
We could be fine
We could be working a perfect crime
This could be the big one
One of a kind
This might be it but I
Think I’m gonna pass this time

I know the number and I’m not gonna play
I’m past caring if I lose or win
And only end up crying in some sad café
There’s something round my heart
That’s wearing thin
But you are the weakness I could be strong for
You are the reason my life could go on for