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Comment by Tony Onstad on July 7, 2011 at 11:23pm

Couldn't agree more,Janne--Graydon's the goods!Just wanted to jump on here and let everybody know that "Learning The Ways Of Love"(written by Michael Masser/Linda Creed,sung by Peabo Bryson)is yet another tune I casually discarded as derivative pablum at the time.It was Tom Snow's "If Ever You're In My Arms Again" that compelled me to buy the album.Once again,as the years fly by,and that simple purity of a Masser ballad comes back to revisit,and with what might be just sloppy sentimentality,I embrace the tune like a long-lost love.Man,I might need to get my head checked out--I seem to be gettin' weirder every day(not to be confused with the Chicago song.lol).The closer to 50 I get,the more I seem to embrace Westcoast/AOR/Jazz-Fusion/Pop Ballads/Great Classical compositions,etc.But I'm pretty sure it's not for the purpose of escaping the present--it's to tap into what is timeless,that part of yourself that remains ageless,that sudden and beautiful comprehension of music that has that indefinable genius in it.Of course,those moments don't happen as often or as intensely as they did back then,but they still happen.Anyhow,I know how pretentious and and lofty I sound,so I'll sign off,but not without thanking all you guys(and gals)for keeping the music playing(not to be confused with the Patti Austin/James Ingram ballad.lol.)

Comment by Janne Cerbelius on July 6, 2011 at 10:27am

The first time I heard "I Keep Callin'" was on the B-side of the 12"-inch single "Let's Pretend". The year that is marked on the track is 1984, but I agree with you Tony - it could easily be a "left-over" track from the 1983 "Breakin' Away" sessions. Whether or not, it's a great track with Pages' significant and brilliant backing vocals. The collaboration and arrangements with producer Jay Graydon are awesome! :o)

Comment by Tony Onstad on July 6, 2011 at 1:42am

 For sure,Kristian--it's another one of those sorta "hidden gems".I have a little theory to throw at you here--if you're to compare "Roof Garden" and "I Keep Callin'" in terms of production values,chord progressions(in the A section specifically),plus factoring in that it's almost exactly the same guys on both sessions(George Duke on keys,etc.),it seems quite possible that "I Keep Callin'" was recorded during(and at what point,I've no idea)the "Breakin' Away" sessions--Graydon and committee might have preferred "Roof Garden"--there's quite a bit more going on in the B section of "Roof Garden".I'll admit,I haven't thoroughly investigated my little theory,so for the moment it's just a strong hunch.Those Pages bckgrnd.'s really shine through on "I Keep Callin'"--they're pretty much a centrepiece of the song.ttyl & God bless

 

Comment by Kristian on July 5, 2011 at 11:18pm

I Keep Callin´is actually included as the last track on the reissue of the Jarreau album that came out last year. Great track, actually have the LP single :)

Comment by Tony Onstad on July 5, 2011 at 10:56pm

I added "I Keep Callin'" from the 1983 album "Jarreau".I recall that it was only on the cassette,not the vinyl--I always thought that because it was a lot like "Roof Garden",they decided not to include it on the vinyl release.Anyhow,I find that over the years,a song that I might have dismissed as being redundant comes alive somehow--this is one of them.

Comment by Tony Onstad on June 24, 2011 at 10:05pm

Thanks for the background info,Florent--really interesting.After having read your comments,I went back and listened to "The Higher You Rise" again--they sound like bed tracks--they would make wicked karaoke tracks.It's as though Newton-Howard knew that anyone listening to it would be familiar with the tune,the melody just being assumed,it being a Westcoast favorite.

Comment by Florent Recica on June 24, 2011 at 9:30pm

"The Sheffield Track Record" and "The Sheffield Drum Record" ('82,'81)

made it later on one CD and were used as a reference for testing audio equipment and are totally different recordings to James Newton Howard and Friends wich also included one title from the "track record" .. "Amuseum"  penned by JNH, but this time with different band.. Jeff Porcaro, Steve Porcaro, Joe Porcaro and David Paich, without bass or guitar, as the songs were ment as rock instrumentals for synthesizers, drums and percussion.

"The Track Record" has an, from our point of view, interesting track list.."The Higher You Rise", wich you uploaded, penned by Jay Gruska and Paul Gordon.. taken from MAXUS('81), this time in instrumental version and the other one is "Wise To The Lines", penned by Robbie Buchanan and Charlie Dore .. taken from her famous album "Listen" ('81), again in instrumental version...check them out,year was also right!!!

Comment by Tony Onstad on June 24, 2011 at 6:44am

I stumbled upon this one--the album's called "The Sheffield Track Record" with James Newton Howard & Friends--some of the tracks appear to be off of the 1983 release,"James Newton Howard & Friends",but the personnel are different here.They are--James Newton Howard,Robbie Buchanan,Nathan East,Carlos Vega,Mike Landau & Lenny Castro.

Comment by Tony Onstad on June 20, 2011 at 6:30am

"You're The Reason"(Carl Anderson)was produced by Russ Freeman(of Rippington's fame).I'm sure 80% of you guys know that,but for that one guy who doesn't,here it is(lol)

Comment by Tony Onstad on June 19, 2011 at 11:54pm

 I stand corrected--I must've assumed it 'cause "Moth To A Flame" is on the album,and the production sounds exactly the same as "Overnight"--also,believe it or not,Kipner only played on one track,"Culture Shock".You're definitely one of few guys whose Westcoast knowledge surpasses mine by a small stretch--that's one of the plusses to belonging to a site like this.ttyl,Florent.

 

 

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