from I AM
Written by Maurice White, David Foster & Allee Willis
“‘Let Your Feelings Show’ was my first attempt to write a real ‘Earth, Wind & Fire’ song. I ‘borrowed’ the key elements from many of their songs to finally arrive at those chords and tempo. Maurice, of course, helped so much [by] adding his wizard touches to make it immediately sound like an Earth, Wind & Fire classic. I also played keyboards on it like I did for all the compositions I co-wrote for them.”
From BOOGIE WONDERLAND (single)
Written by Allee Willis & Jon Lind
“Boogie Wonderland” was the first single released from Earth, Wind & Fire’s 1979 album, I AM. Co-written by up ’n’ coming songwriters Allee Willis, who already co-wrote EWF’s smash “September,” and Jon Lind, who was responsible for American jazz pianist and composer Ramsey Lewis’ “Sun Goddess,” “Boogie Wonderland” was Earth, Wind & Fire’s first stride into the disco field. The result was commercially and artistically astounding. The song became an out-of-the-box hit by reaching the top ten on both sides of the pond which paved the way to the double platinum triumph of I AM. On this spirited anthem, the band kept their trademark lush orchestrations and smart chord progression that were above the average disco stuff heard on radios in those days. The fantastic vocals by Maurice White and Philip Bailey with a noteworthy support from female R&B group The Emotions were a total knock-out as were Willis’ personal lyrics. The backing track of the tune was smoking hot with guest David Foster who co-wrote the bulk of I AM with White and Willis plus being right on target with his rhythmic acoustic piano playing.
from YESTERDAY’S DREAMS
written by Alphonso Johnson, Philip Bailey& Pat Walker
Virtuoso musician Alphonso Johnson is one of the modern legends of bass guitar. His eclectic talent, superior technique and fantastic groove is appreciated worldwide by jazz, rock and r&b audiences. During the course of his long and remarkable career, Johnson has played alongside people like Phil Collins, Michael Jackson, Pat Metheny, Pino Daniele, Bob Weir of The Grateful Dead, George Duke, Gov’t Mule and Chuck Mangione.
He was also a member of rock legends Santana and seminal jazz/rock masters The Weather Report. In the second half of the seventies, right after his very fortunate stint with The Weather Report, Johnson signed a three record deal with Epic Records.
from THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE EIGHTIES
written by David Foster & Peter Cetera
“Hard To Say I’m Sorry” is without a doubt one of the milestones of David Foster’s career. This ballad, co-written by the Canadian music-maker with Peter Cetera, started Chicago’s amazing comeback story of the Eighties. It is the epitome of that era’s adult contemporary ballad with its amazing melody, perfect vocals, layered synths and powerful guitars wrapped up by Foster’s high-tech production. In 1982, the song went #1 for two weeks in the US and eventually became an international hit.
from A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SOUNDTRACK
written by John Williams & Cynthia Weil
“A.I. Artificial Intelligence” is a 2001 film directed by Steven Spielberg and starred Haley Joel Osment and Jude Law. It was another box office hit for the extraordinary movie maker. The soundtrack was written by frequent Spielberg collaborator, the legendary John Williams. A five-time Academy Awards winner with an outstanding 48 nominations, Williams also has 21 Grammy Awards out of 59 nominations under his belt. The composer is also the father of Toto’s lead singer Joseph Williams.
