on the episode that David Foster was working with each contestant, I was upset because I thought DF was rude to Elliott. I look back now and even though Randy didn't like the arrangement, it worked and helped Elliott show his range on ASFY. I know to his credit he has worked with and helped shape the careers of Celine Dion, The Corrs, Josh Groban and Michael Buble, but I had no idea how far back he goes. When he started out as musician in the industry he worked with John Lennon, Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, as well as Chicago, (& many others) writing and producing major hits in the 70's/80's and up until now. I had just bought a two-disc George Benson CD and who is playing piano/synthesizers on a couple of the songs but David Foster. By coincidence there is an awesome version of MMFL on the same CD sung as a duet with Patty Austin, produced by Quincy Jones. Elliott mentioned in the Richmond magazine article he wanted to record a Cd with new funky sounding stuff somewhere between Prince and Average White Band. Very interesting as I was looking through old albums today, yes albums, I came across a Q's Body Heat album and on it is a song the AWB had a hit with. The funny thing is just a couple of weeks ago my boyfriend bought a dvd of Average White Band live at the Montreux Jazz festival. Talk about funky white boys, I only really knew them from their instrumental hits. It turns out David Foster also in his earlier years worked with Average White Band. I need to read the liner notes more often...

I thought DF was a little rude to Elliott too. But who knows...those comments are heavily edited and the show can make it look however they want it to look.

I will have to check out Average White Band. Sounds very interesting. My CD collection has really expanded since I have been reading this message board!

Shiela! Long time no see. Wow! Interesting research. AWB's an awesome group. I love their "Cut The Cake" piece. It all brings back memories of my disco days. Chicago, Tower of Power, Earth Wind & Fire -- an fun era.

Mike

All those groups bring a smile to my face, of course I lived in Oakland and Tower of Power is so revered there. I also am a big Hall & Oates fan (first rock/soul concert) and on their Marigold Sky CD, Alan Gorrie (AWB) wrote alot of the lyrics. Now that i think about it they have the same blue-eyed soul sound, I am having so much fun looking into all this stuff. The David Foster/Chicago connection just blows my mind and I thought he was so uncool...

mc, i was gonna PM you to say you've been putting up some great songs(Iwent out and bought a George benson hits Cd after hearing him on the station), all I had was an old album and no record player, DF played synthesizer on Turn Your Love Around :o It was a toss up between TYLA and The Masquerade for my top 20,island scenario thread. I chose the later.

Average White Band was one of the best bands to come out of the 70's. Liked by many many people... but as many funk bands of the era... they didn't surivive the disco era.

Check out SOUL SEARCHING, it is their best LP ever made. A little outdated now... I still enjoy listening to it from time to time.

you might think David Foster is a prick... but look at the finished product? speaks for itself.

I think that's why he can be one, because he can back it up!

Sheila... get this...


do you think Elliott wants fans that are going to come to his rescue everytime somebody says something negative to him?

He's a big boy now... he doesn't need to be protected..

You're absolutely right, I'm sure he is really open to what advice he's been given. During the season, I was in the protection mode just because he got a little unfair scrutiny, but it does go with the territory. It was clear from the video Elliott was appreciative of the changes he made. I thought the emphasis on that key phrase in ASFY, changed the song from Donny's to Elliott's version.It's the fans that need to get a thicker skin(me)!

"Remember when we were together"


was an awesome part of the song... David Foster was just helping him to deliver.. on that part of the song. and it was good... :woohoo: