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Tag: Renee Olstead

MIDNIGHT IN AUSTIN TEXAS

From SKYLARK

Written by David Foster & Renee Olstead

In the first decade of the new millennium, David Foster had an impressive string of hit records for two gifted newcomers, Michael Bublè and Josh Groban. During the same time, Foster produced two CDs for another very young and remarkable singer named Renee Olstead. An American actress and singer, Ms. Olstead as an actress was best known as Lauren Miller on the comedy “Still Standing” and on the drama “The Secret Life of an American Teenager” as Madison Cooperstein. 

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SUMMERTIME

from RENEE OLSTEAD
Written by George Gershwin, DuBose Heyward & Ira Gershwin

Every time Renee Olstead’s outstanding rendition of George Gershwin’s (1898-1937) immortal classic “Summertime” was heard, listen in amazement because the young singer/actress was only fifteen years old at the time she performed the standard. This song was the first released from her 2004 self-titled cd. Olstead’s performance captures her control, technique and a class delivered with disarming ease.

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NOTHING BUT THE BLAME

from SKYLARK
Written by David Foster & Renee Olstead

Whenever there was a chance to give Renee Olstead’s beautiful voice a listen, it was apparent that her impressive chops and talent should have made her a big star in the jazz and pop fields. Ms. Olstead’s two records, both produced by David Foster, were pristine examples of good music with superior vocal and instrumental performances. Her 2009 album titled Skylark presented the usual batch of inventive covers carefully crafted by Foster in the traditional pop vein. One of Skylark’s pluses was the welcome addition of a few original tunes composed by the Canadian music-maker with lyrics written by the young singer/actress. One such tune has already been reviewed, the modern torch song “Hold Me Now.” This week, the focus is on another beautiful ballad titled “Nothing But The Blame.”

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MIDNIGHT AT THE OASIS

From RENEE OLSTEAD
Written by David Nichtern

“Midnight At The Oasis” was a 1974 hit single for American blues/rock singer Maria Muldaur. Written by noted songwriter David Nichtern, “Midnight At The Oasis” reached #6 on Billboard Hot 100. This single was eventually nominated at the 1975 Grammy Awards as “Record Of The Year” and “Song Of The Year.” The best features of the song were Muldaur’s sensual vocal performance, its irresistible soft/rock appeal and, last but not least, the exotic, saucy lyrics.

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MIDNIGHT MAN

 from SKYLARK

written by David Foster & Leah Felder

This week, we look back at Renee Olstead’s sophomore release, “Skylark.” Again, the young pop-jazz singer/actress teamed up with the legendary David Foster who masterfully produced her critically acclaimed, self-titled debut cd in 2004. The birth of “Skylark” was a bit troubled. Foster and Olstead started the sessions around the end of 2005 and worked hard for a couple years on the project. Together, they recorded many standards and original songs, but saw several changes to the tracklist before it met the approval of Reprise Records who finally released the cd on January 27, 2009.

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