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Hit Man - The Music Of David Foster

imansas | 11/20/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

""H I T M A N"

The Music of David Foster





I always have been a huge fans of David Foster .. I listened to his early works when David was part of Skylark band then Air Play with Jay Graydon ( who co-wrote some of David's hit songs " After The Love Is Gone", "Mornin" , " Whos Holdin Donna Now" ). I noticed David Foster's name on the albums credit when he was a studio musicians working for the late George Harrison and many other pop and jazz album in the 70 and 80's .. Even his early producing work for Ray Kennedy, Hall & Oates, Peter Allen (yeeesss !!!) have been remarkably distinct .. His keyboards style (and sound) has always been his signature from day one and imitated by others ... David produced, arranged, composed almost every genre of music (even broadway musical for "dream girls" !!!!).. ... From the very famous Madonna, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Whitney Houston, Andrea Bocelli, to name a very few, to the new discover talents of Josh Groban, Michael Bubble, The Corrs, Renee Olstead, Charise and winning lots and lots Grammy awards ..... Before American audiences recognized his name and work, other part of the world has embraced him early (Japan released his first solo album "The Best Of Me" in the 80's .. now became collector item .. Indonesia in South East Asia has made a compilations album from his works back in early 90's). I was so fortunate to be able to meet David Foster and worked together with him for his promotion trip to Indonesia for his "Rechording" album when I was with Warner Music Indonesia.



What the CD/ DVD "HIT MAN" album aim to do now is showcasing and giving David the ("long overdue") tribute for all the genius of him and his accomplishment .. Over two hours the DVD tries to feature many of his greatest work in a grand production style complete with spectacular performers, full orchestra and the finest musicians in the business ..



The song list on the DVD captures most of the hits. From the early day of SkyLark with "Windflower" to the massive R&B hits "After The Love Is Gone" , "Got To Be Real" . The pop-rock of "She's a Beauty" and "Man In Motion". The Chicago / Peter Cetera hits " Hard To Say I Am Sorry" /"Glory Of Love" carried on to the monster hit "I Will Always Love You" and the amazing rendition of "I Swear". From the broadway "Somewhere" to the pop-jazz "Mornin'" and "Through The Fire" . The big band setting of "Save The Last Dance", to the classical-pop of "The Prayer", You Raised Me Up" "Because We Believe" .



For each song in this outing, David Foster really shows what made him the (greatest) "HIT MAN". He selects the perfect singers/performers to represent each genre and providing them with a platform of musical arrangement and production so perfect that every singer cannot fail but to deliver their outstanding performances. Just watch and listen the seasoned performers Boz Scaggs, Cheryl Lynn, Peter Cetera performing their hits, and you will never realize that those were hits more than a decade ago, and it is truly remarkable to see a new performers : Michael Johns fresh from American Idol and young Renee Olstead both brings out to life songs that were hits way back before they both start to learn how to play music .



So wonderful the performance of fellow producer Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds for "I Swear " that you cannot help but to sway to the music and sing along with him and his brother Kevon Edmond . The beautiful Katharine McPhee will take your breath away with her performance of "Somewhere" even Barbara Streisand surely will praise. Celine Dion delivers her performance of "Because You Love Me" along with her very personal appraisal for David for his contribution to her career.



For this event David also brilliantly creates pairing of unlikely performers to perform an amazing duet : Josh Groban and Brian McKnight performing the classic "Bridge Over Troubled Water", Michael Bubble and Blake Shelton performing "Home" . While Kenny G. and David Foster opens up the show with "Theme from ST. Elmos Fire".



The most awesome moments for the evening undoubtedly brought by two performers : One is Andrea Bocelli. He brings grace and royalty to the evening with his stellar performance. His voice and emotion are such a strong mesmerizing qualities, delivering goose-bumps, bringing the house into a standing ovation on ALL of the three songs his performing. Notably the duet with Katharine McPhee on "The Prayer".



The other is by the young sensation 16 years old Charice whom her amazing voice has created so much buzz and anxiety. Her power and ability to reach the difficult notes on the medley of "I will Always Love You" / "I Have Nothing" is unbelievable breathtaking and receive the standing ovation she truly deserves .. So young and yet so confident with a powerful mature voice.. Surely we will hear more of her amazing voice with the touch of David "Hit Man" Foster on her album.



There is a bonus moment on the evening I believe worth mentioning here is that we get to hear and see a rare moment where David Foster actually sing !!! .. Buy this DVD and see David sings a rendition of Elvis Presley's song so aptly produced and performed in the Las Vegas tradition ..



This dvd album surely is a 5-stars "must-have" collection. The perfect mix of the sound amplifies through DTS system carries you as if you were there on the concert . If there is a flaw, if any, on the CD/DVD concept is that the CD only contains 8 tracks, and why not put the edit performance "Who's Holding Donna Now" by Baby Face that we get to see the glimpse of it on the "bonus" feature of the DVD .. ?? .. And no "Unbreak My Heart" on the song list ..?



And the million dollar question, why there is no David piano instrumental performance at all ..?? "Winter Games", "Flight Of The Snowbird" , "Water Fountain" .. anyone .. ??



November 20th, 2008

Jakarta, Indonesia









"

Best DVD of 2008

Paul Lavoisier | Paris, France | 11/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had always been a fan of David Foster's music, and it was a fantastic surprise to see many of his most wonderful songs in one DVD, performed by several of today's top artists. You will not be using the "FF" button on your remote control with this DVD. However talented Charice is (and she is indeed very talented), the highlight of this DVD are Andrea Bocelli's performances. The Italian tenor is in a league of his own, his voice and emotion second to none, and in this set, he sings three songs that highlight his immense qualities: "Amapola", "Because we believe", and an incredible version (maybe the best) of "The Prayer". Only complain is that Peter Cetera's songs are all abbreviated versions. Wonderful DVD to play over and over again, and to give as a present. The CD is also nice but it only has a few songs."