Written by Alan Gorrie, Hamish Stuart & Roger Ball

This week, the song in the spotlight is “Into The Night,” a monster, funky jam by Average White Band. The legendary, Scottish funksters wrote this irresistible jam for their 1980 album Shine. Produced by David Foster, Shine is a goldmine for the lovers of the most sophisticated music with its impeccable mix of soul, funk and pop. Under Foster’s guidance, AWB evolves in the same league as Earth, Wind & Fire and The Doobie Brothers with a sound made of superior songwriting, spectacular musicianship and top-notch vocal harmonies.

“Into The Night” showed AWB going back to the raw funk of their first recordings with the bonus of Foster’s polished production. Together with virtuoso drummer Steve Ferrone, Alan Gorrie delivered another of his nasty bass lines that perfectly cements the super-tight rhythm section. Onnie McIntyre and Hamish Stuart trade their smokin’ guitar licks while Foster brought his slick keyboard playing to the plate. On top of this powerful jam stand the trademark Dundee Horns with their saxes leading the dance just as they did on AWB’s milestone hit, “Pick Up The Pieces.” This time around, their sound is beefed up by some of the finest LA horn players including Jerry Hey, who arranged the brass with Roger Ball, and Foster. “Into The Night” was the third single off Shine after “Let’s Go Round Again” and “For You, For Love.” Despite its huge potential, “Into The Night” didn’t chart.

Recently, AWB released a new compilation entitled “Rare Tracks Vol. 2: Single Editions & More.” Among other goodies presented, the original single version of “Into The Night” included a rare, two minutes reprise of that catchy, funky anthem.

Listen

Bass & Vocals: Alan Gorrie

Guitar & Vocals: Hamish Stuart
Guitar: Onnie McIntyre
Drums: Steve Ferrone
Saxes: Roger Ball & Malcolm Duncan
Keyboards: David Foster

Strings & Horns Arranged by Jerry Hey, David Foster & Roger Ball
Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

– Watch the sun go down
Darkness will invite
You and I – let’s take some time
– Steal away, into the night

Into the night
Into the night

written by David Foster, Alan Gorrie & Hamish Stuart

David Foster often mentioned that he wasn’t satisfied by the Average White Band’s album “Shine” that he produced in 1980. In his recent memoir, “Hitman: Forty Years Making Music, Topping Charts & Winning Grammys” the music-maker even recollected a meeting he had with Quincy Jones when they were listening to the album while Foster was making up excuses to justify what he felt were some faults of the recording.

We must be deaf cause  we’ve been listening to “Shine” since its release, thirty-two years ago, and we still think it’s one of Foster’s best productions ever.The songwriting is solid with pieces like the dancefloor classic, “Let’s Go ‘Round Again” that’s become one of AWB’s most loved hits and “Whatcha Gonna Do For Me,” a tune that Chaka Khan made a classic just a few years later. There’s a bit for everyone on “Shine,” funky numbers with just a light disco approach, gorgeous ballads and breezy mid-tempos. The arrangements are catchy and elegant with an overall, irresistible jazzy mood. Foster co-wrote two songs on “Shine.” The first is a funky/disco jam entitled “Catch Me (Before I Have To Testify)” while the other is a fantastic mid-tempo entitled “Help Is On The Way.” This track is absolutely delicious with Foster’s thumbprint all over. Hamish Stuart’s golden voice and AWB’s tight musicianship are on the spotlight with Foster’s guest keyboards and terrific strings and horns to add a lush feel. “Help Is On The Way” was the b-side to another masterpice of the album, the pop/soul ballad “For You, For Love.” One thing is for sure, “Shine” has aged wonderfully and its pop/soul appeal is intact or even enchanced today, especially compared to what’s on radio nowadays. This is music that was made by real, immensely talented musicians and we’ll never get tired to listen to it.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/help_is_on_the_way.mp3|titles=Help Is On The Way|artists=Hamish Stuart]

Lead & Backing Vocals: Hamish Stuart
Bass & Backing Vocals: Alan Gorbie
Guitars: Onnie McIntyre & Hamish Stuart
Drums: Steve Ferrone
Keyboards: David Foster & Roger Ball
Percussions: Lenny Castro & Paulinho Da Costa
Saxes: Molly Duncan & Roger Ball
Trumpets & Flugelhorns: Jerry Hey, Gary Grant & Larry Hall
Trombones: Lew McCreary & Bill Reichenbach
Saxes & Woodwinds: Ernie Watts, Kim Hutchcroft & Larry Williams

Strings & Horns Arranged by Roger Ball, Jerry Hey & David Foster
Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

Seems to me that you’ve been stranded
far too long
watchin’ the sands of time
trickle away,
Won’t you talk to me,
Tell me what’s eatin’ at ‘cha
Even if you don’t know what to say
You know that the time is right
To turn this thing around –
it’s getting closer to you
Don’t give up because pain is all
you’ve found

Lighten up ‘cos help is on the way
Have a little faith in someone new
This is not a line I’m throwin’ –
Lighten up ‘cos help is on the way

You and me, walking down easy
streets together
Is a dream I cannot see slippin’ away
Why don’t you get to me
Over this distance you’ve created
And I’ll put you in – set you free
You know the time is right
To turn this thing around –
you’re getting closer to me
Don’t give up because pain is all
you’ve found