Russ Ballard is a veteran singer/songwriter/guitarist who started out as the lead vocalist for the group Argent in the early seventies. He later embarked on a solo career that brought him much more success as a songwriter/producer for other artists while his own releases went almost unnoticed. One exception was his hit album, “Voices,” in 1984. Among his most famous songs were “Liar,” a top ten hit by Three Dog Night in 1972, “So You Win Again,” which reached the Top 40 with Hot Chocolate in 1977, “You Can Do Magic” and “I Know There’s Something Going On,” both worldwide successes in the early eighties for America and Abba’s Frida respectively. In 1978 Ballard recorded a new album, “At The Third Stroke,” in California with producer Keith Olsen of Fleetwood Mac fame. Listening to the nine original tracks included on the album, it is easy to hear strong flavors of Boz Scaggs, The Doobie Brothers or Fleetwood Mac. Though incorporated into Ballard’s own pop/rock style, these influences are enhanced by the appearance of David Foster, David Paich, Jeff Porcaro, Tom Scott and other of the best L.A. studio cats of the day. Those players had the ability to turn everything they played on into something classy and extremely pleasant musically. The collection has its best moments in the soft, rarefied “Helpless,” an up-tempo song that benefits from Foster’s touch on the fender rhodes, and the Paul McCartney-influenced “Treat Her Right,” a lovely acoustic ballad.
Another elegant episode is the jazzy “What Does It Take,” which is closer to Scaggs’ style. It is no surprise that Paich appears on it playing the clavinet together with Foster’s rhodes and Scott’s unmistakable saxophone licks. On this song, and throughout the whole album, Ballard does a good job vocally while playing some very good guitar solos.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/what_does_it_take.mp3|titles=What does it take|artists= Russ Ballard]

Lead Vocal, Bass & Guitars: Russ Ballard
Fender Rhodes: David Foster
Clavinet: David Paich
Percussion: Bobbye Hall
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Tambourine: Keith Olsen
Flutes & Horns: Tom Scott
Backing Vocals: Tom Kelly & Denny Henson
Arranged by Russ Ballard
Produced by Keith Olsen

Lyrics

What does it take to love you
What do I have to do
I live my life just for you
But the heartache you put me through
What does it take to love you
What do I have to be
If you won’t let me love you
Why don’t you set me free
What does it take.
Whenever I reach for you
Baby you turn away
What must I do to please you
You know you just have to say.
What does it take to love you
What do I have to be
If you won’t let me love you
Why don’t you set me free
What does it take.