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Thursday, December 04, 2008

David Foster - "Hit Man"

There is no other producer, writer and composer who deserves the title Hit Man like David Foster. In his career he had created numerous mega hits. David received 15 GRAMMY awards and has worked with stars like Barbara Streisand, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, John Lennon, Diana Ross, George Harrison, and Rod Stewart.

Starting his career as in-demand keyboardist in 1973, he reached the summit in the 80's with hits like Chicago’s Hard To Say I’m Sorry, Peter Cetera’s The Glory of Love, and John Parr’s Man in Motion (St. Elmo’s Fire soundtrack). Celine Dion’s first No.1 hit, The Power of Love, Natalie Cole’s Unforgettable, Have You Ever by Brandy, Music of My Heart by Gloria Estefan with N’Sync, Barbra Streisand’s haunting single Somewhere are further milestones in the 90's. Unbreak My Heart (Toni Braxton), I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston), I Swear (All-4-One), and Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion) followed.



His new project David Foster & Friends - Hit Man (2008) is the recording of a one-night only show in Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas last spring captured in an excellent CD/DVD-set. The album starts with the Love Theme From St. Elmo's Fire featuring Platinum awarded saxophonist Kenny G. The original soundtrack was released in 1985. The sentimental theme encompasses the feelings of a group of friends that have just graduated from Georgetown University and their adjustment to their post-university lives and the responsibilities of encroaching adulthood.

David Foster was a great supporter for Michael Bublé's career. Home was a hit single of Michael's second album It's Time (2005). Michael co-wrote the song for his ex-girl-friend Debbie Timuss together with band-member Alan Pei Jeu Chang and David's daughter Amy Foster-Gillies. Michael Bublé is Blake Shelton's favorite entertainer, especially since his 2008 cover version of Home went to No. 1. It was a natural act that Blake shared the stage with Michael presenting the song in an awesome duet.

I Have Nothing / I Will Always Love You is featuring amazing song wonder 16 years old Charice. She is an international Filipina singer. Oprah Winfrey referred to her as "The Most Talented Girl in the World". Many call her Little Whitney Houston, while the term little refers to her youth. David Foster wrote I Have Nothing together with his wife Linda Thompson for the Bodyguard movie soundtrack.

Paul Simon's Bridge Over Troubled Water finds a brilliant revival in the duet of Josh Groban and Brian McKnight. We all are involved in a certain way with this song and the memories. Josh sold over 23 million albums worldwide, had two #1 albums and four #1 singles and Brian himself is a soul legend.

Because You Loved Me featuring Celine Dione was released on her album entitled Falling Into You (1996). The song reached No. 1 in several states and was certainly Celine's greatest hit. Celine dedicated the song on this event to David Foster, her longtime friend and song-writer.

Country music artist Blake Shelton presents Wildflower. Transformed from the soul-jazz original of Hank Crawford (1973) Blake reveals his great talent for heartfelt ballads. American Idol runner Katharine McPhee sings the beautiful Somewhere from the toe-tapping Broadway and West End hit show West Side Story, a smashing musical by Leonard Bernstein.

The former front man of the group Chicago Peter Cetera performs two of Chicago's greatest hits Hard To Say I'm Sorry and You're The Inspiration furthermore Glory Of Love from his first solo album Solitude. David Foster co-wrote these songs with Peter Cetera.

Final highlight of the CD is the duet The Prayer of star tenor Andrea Bocelli and Katherine McPhee. David Foster won the 1999 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for this song recorded for the film Quest for Camelot. Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli sung each versions of the original soundtrack. The standing ovation of the audience was absolutely justified.

The CD is combined with a DVD of the concert with 30 titles of further artists like Boz Scaggs, Kenny "Babyface" and Kevon Edmonds, William Joseph, Renee Olstad, Michael Johns and many more. The gorgeous show with a great orchestra and a budget of more than 2 million dollars is absolutely spectacular.


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2 comments:

Unknown said...

David Foster and wife did not write "I will always love you"! We all know Dolly wrote and sang it first. Are you sure you're supposed to be a writer here if you dont even know the details of the best selling single ever?!

DeeDee

Mike said...

The reference should have been to "I have Nothing"