David Foster and Friends

His name might not ring any bells, but David Foster is arguably Adult Contemporary’s main man–a 15 time Grammy winner with a track record of producing career-defining signature hits and cultivating superstars.

During the ’80s, Foster was a go-to guy for movie soundtracks (”Footloose,”"St. Elmo’s Fire,” “Ghostbusters”) which gave birth to a steady litter of number one hits (he wrote and produced Chicago’s “Hard To Say I’m Sorry,” Peter Cetera’s “The Glory of Love,” John Parr’s “Man in Motion,” etc.) which was preceded by a Grammy -win for producing the “Dreamgirls Original Cast Recording.” His Grammy-winning collaboration with Barbra Streisand on “The Broadway Album” was an unexpected commercial success that demonstrated his expanding creative palate.

Foster likes his divas, and they certainly like him. He gave Celine Dion her first number one (”The Power of Love”) and her first Grammy for Album of the Year (”Falling Into You”). Foster’s innovative work merging Natalie Cole’s vocals to those of her deceased father earned her Grammy Awards for Record and Album of the Year. Whitney Houston is probably still thanking Foster for her sales zenith with “The Bodyguard” soundtrack, Grammy winner for Album of the Year and one of the best-selling albums of all time.

More recently, Foster’s career has been distinguished by his ear for unsigned talent. He discovered and groomed both Josh Groban and Michael Buble, who sell more records than Justin Timberlake. Groban & Foster’s last collaboration was the number one selling CD of 2007. Last year, Foster turned the spotlight on himself during “David Foster & Friends,” a one-time musical retrospective that featured quite a few of his A-list muses as well as his growing stable of young talent.

Earlier this month, Foster kicked off a 10-city tour of “David Foster and Friends” with a scaled down cast that’s a vocal par with the originals. Rejoining Foster are Chicago front-man Peter Cetera , former Earth Wind & Fire singer Peter Baily, American Idol finalist Michael Johns and vocal powerhouse Charice, a 17 year-old singer who can match Dion note for note. Also on the bill: American Idol Season two winner Ruben Studdard, R&B/dance music diva Deborah Cox and The Canadian Tenors.

On Sunday, Foster and troupe performed an epic two hour and 45-minute set in front of refreshingly polite audience at Boston’s Agganis Arena, which for this particular evening, boasted acoustics equivalent to the best the city has to offer.

Johns, who sang “St. Elmos Fire” and the mid-80s Tubes’ hit “She’s a Beauty, “delivered his songs with unexpected volume and charm. Cox was note-perfect, delivering Toni Braxton’s “Un-Break My Heart” and Chaka Kahn’s “Through the Fire” precise diction and gorgeous vocal flourishes.

Bailey and Cetera provided, solid workman-like performances, each still game to delivers hits that must feel overly familiar at this point. Cetera smartly abbreviated some of his more notable hits.

The Canadian Tenors, who missing off its four members, dispelled any preconceptions that they’re some kind of il divo clone. Vocally superior and with better material, the trio possess unlimited lung power and control. Even thought it was released two years ago elsewhere, the Tenors’ debut CD was just released in the U.S., so look for their profile to increase over the next year.

Charice, who probably had more individual fans present than the other artists, lived up to the Oprah-hype with several colossal performances that appeared at odds with her tiny frame, but her gorgeously burnished performance of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” proved she’s not just a lung oddity, but a fantastic interpreter as well.

by Rick Dunn, Edge Community Editor

David Foster & Friends Live!

He’s arguably the most successful pop-music producer in history and has worked with every major player since the ’70s. Between Whitney Houston, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, Cher, and Josh Groban, his work has helped sell so many millions of albums it should fall to NASA to keep track. While the industry at large always knew the man with the Midas touch at crafting a pop hit (with 15 Grammy Awards to boast), the general public probably wasn’t all that familiar with David Foster until now.

Between an autobiography, PBS special, and CD/DVD set Hit Man: David Foster & Friends (Warner Bros.), the producer-pianist has certainly scored some face time outside the studio. And that plan’s destined to continue throughout a fall tour with several famous faces past and present, which kicked off in suburban Chicagoland featuring two hometown heroes: Peter Cetera and Richard Marx.

Before those veterans took the stage, Foster opened the show with his calming instrumental “Love’s Theme From St. Elmo’s Fire” and then shared the spotlight with some younger protégés. “American Idol” alum Michael Johns showcased the rock side of the producer’s vast catalog, merging The Tubes’ quirky “She’s A Beauty” with the aforementioned soundtrack’s other single, “St. Elmos Fire (Man In Motion).” Though both were products of the ’80s, his gritty pipes and more modern arrangements helped give both tunes a fresh twist.

A little later in the evening, fellow “Idol” star Ruben Studdard helped exhibit Foster’s soulful escapades with his bellowing voice working wonders around Al Jarreau’s “Morning” and a gospel-tinged rearrangement of Michael Bublé’s “Home.” Deborah Cox competently dusted off Chaka Khan’s “Through The Fire,” while newcomer Charice gave Houston a run for her comeback money with mighty renditions of “I Have Nothing” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Speaking of new talent, the “Hit Man Talent Search” spotlight segment featured two Windy City performers plucked straight out of an Internet search. Suit-and-tie clad 17-year-old Jacob Dow performed a flawless version of “Fly Me To The Moon” a la Bublé, while 24-year-old Erika Rodger belted out “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” from Dreamgirls as a true diva in the making. Even more impressive were The Canadian Tenors, who turned in a handful of classical selections, plus an operatic cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”

On another ’70s note, Bailey may have lacked the Earth, Wind & Fire horn section, but he still brought some funk focused-fire to “Boogie Wonderland” and “September.” Of course, the quiet storm groove “After The Love Is Gone” was on the docket given Foster’s cowrite, and while he didn’t quite command the same ultra-high range as the original, it provided an obligatory sing-along.

Switching gears to rock, Marx took a break from his ongoing Duo tour to lead a full band through tried-and-true versions of “Endless Summer Nights” and “Right Here Waiting.” But even more interesting was a story Foster shared about originally suggesting that Marx should stick with studio work rather than branching out as a full-time artist. After teasing one another, Foster confessed that in this instance he loved being wrong and Marx ribbed him with a reminder he’s since sold more than 30 million albums.

The headliner provided several other insights into the songs and collaborators, making the event read like a “VH1 Storytellers” session. He introduced Peter Cetera as a guy he always got star struck over and the city’s own proved why when nailing signature Chicago and solo ballads like “Hard To Say I’m Sorry,” “You’re The Inspiration,” and “Glory Of Love” (though occasional microphone feedback left him visibly irritated). Nonetheless, he rebounded for a robust duet with Johns throughout “Hard Habit To Break” and rounded out his set with Chicago’s joyfully nostalgic “If You Leave Me Now.”
At the end of the 150-minute night, the entire cast (sans Cetera) came out for a poignant grand finale of the Foster/Will.i.am Obama inauguration anthem “America’s Song,” reading like an “American Idol” episode, except with several stars that already made it. If there was a consistent theme throughout the seemingly diverse evening, it was Foster’s vision for crafting singers of superstar status. Though that goal may rub those with more experimental tastes the wrong way, his massive mainstream appeal is undeniable and “Hit Man” is more than just a title — it’s his way of life.

by Andy Argyrakis, Illinois Entertainer

A Little Help from His Friends

Renowned hit-maker David Foster has spent the last four decades producing, writing and nurturing some of the best and brightest in music. Sunday night he emerged from behind the scenes to share some highlights from his life’s work with fans in Vancouver.

With a collection of artists, the 15-time Grammy winner performed hits that spanned his illustrious career, and have been sung by the likes of Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Michael Buble, and Andrea Bocelli.

It was an intimate atmosphere in GM Place, the stadium halved by long black curtains as Foster, a few friends and thousands of fans came together to enjoy an evening of his greatest hits and new up and coming talent.

Finishing up the 10-city tour of “David Foster and Friends” in his hometown, the Victoria, BC native spouted plenty of national pride, which was complimented by a lineup full of Canadian talent. Foster was candid, funny and charming as he took centre stage to interact with the crowd.

After establishing himself as an industry leading keyboardist, working with icons including John Lennon, Diana Ross and George Harrison, Foster ventured into writing and producing in the early 1970s. It wasn’t long before he found success in these new endeavors with Earth, Wind and Fire classics.

Highlighting some early hits, Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind and Fire, joined Foster on stage to get the show underway with “After the Love is Gone” and “September”.

The talent music man, who provided brilliant piano accompaniment to all of the acts, moved right into 1980s and 90s, with a little help from Canadian singer Deborah Cox, who sang “Through the Fire” and “Unbreak my Heart”.

Foster promised surprises at each of his shows and he certainly didn’t disappoint tonight. Canadian singer and songwriter Sarah McLachlan made a special appearance, joining the Four Canadian Tenors in a goose-bump inducing rendition of “Hallelujah” before Foster gave up his piano bench for her to perform “Angel”.

Foster seemed very at ease talking to the crowd, sharing stories behind some of his biggest hits. He continued to joke with the audience throughout the night, asking fans if anyone knew his new show “The Hit Man” and responded to cheers by commenting “Canadians are so polite”.

Next up was Michael Johns of American Idol fame, singing “She’s a Beauty”, Foster’s Oscar nominated “Look What You’ve Done To Me” and an amazing rendition of “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion)” that Foster revealed he wrote after being inspired by Canadian hero Rick Hansen.

Over the years Foster has proven his gift for discovering new talent and shaping the careers of countless young stars. Tonight, he gave the audience a little glimpse into his star making mind. Incorporated into the tour was a talent search for Namedrop.com, which had two hopefuls perofrm at each concert, the winner chosen by the fans. Tonight Foster brought out all of the finalists to sing “Don’t Stop the Music”, before declaring Josh Page the contest winner.

The three hour show captured highlights from Foster’s career illuminated by performances by stars including Peter Cetera, Ruben Studdard, B.C.‘s own Cody Karey. The artists sang Foster’s hits including “You’re the Inspiration”, “I Swear”, “Home”, “You Raise Me Up” and “The Prayer”, because as Foster joked “I can write ‘em and produce ‘em but I can’t sing ‘em”.

After a night of stellar performances, the stage was set for Charice, the much-hyped, Oprah protege, who Foster likened to Barbra and Celine. The sixteen year old proved she is a star deserving of one name recognition, with an amazing performance of “The Power of Love” and “I Will Always Love You”.

Following in the theme of national pride, Foster with a little help from his friends ended the night with a song he co-wrote with rapper Will.i.am, only with a few hometown adjustments. Joined by all his tour-mates, Foster capped the incredibly entertaining show with a slightly revised song, he dubbed “Canada’s Song”.

by Janelle Kidd, General Motors Place

Charice Sings Grand Finale at David Foster Concert

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – It was a night music lovers will not forget.

International singing sensation Charice Pempengco did not disappoint tens of thousands of fans who came to watch her and other word-class performers at the “David Foster and Friends” concert on Friday evening (November 8).

Music fans were treated to love songs of music greats like Peter Cetera, who had performed in Manila last February and plans to perform again in Manila someday with Charice.

“I had some friends who told me, go to the Philippines. They will love you over there and it’s the truth,” Cetera said.

Meanwhile, American Idol winners Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken sang Foster classics. However, it was Charice who was chosen to end the show with a grand performance.

“Ang sarap ng feeling. Nafe-feel ko talaga na binigyan ako ng importansiya ni Sir David [Foster]. [It feels good. I really feel that Sir David Foster treats me significantly],” Charice said.

Many in the crowd were Filipinos who have supported Charice throughout her career.

“‘Yon ang ipinagmamalaki ko kay Sir David [Foster] na, iba talagang sumuporta ang mga Pinoy. [That's what I keep on bragging about to David Foster. Filipinos give their all-out support],” she said.

‘Copycat singer’

Foster, a Canadian musician and producer who serves as a mentor to Charice, said there is no doubt that she is the “next big superstar” to break into the international music scene.

“There’s a billion and a half Asians in the world. It doesn’t make sense at all that there wouldn’t be a superstar from there,” he said.

Foster is known for “discovering” singers Celine Dion, Josh Groban, and Michael Bublé as well as working with renowned musicians like Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston, and others.

Foster said critics who say that Charice is merely a “copycat singer” will see that she “is her own person.” Charice has the ability to mimic the voices of other singers and her voice quality has been compared to Dion and Houston.

“If you hear the song ‘Note to God’, that is undeniably Charice. If you hear her new album, these are uniquely Charice. And she is definitely coming into her own,” Foster said.

The producer said he plans to bring the concert “David Foster and Friends” to Manila next year, with Charice ready to headline her own concerts.

Charice is set to release her international debut album in January 2010.

by Henni Espinosa, ABS-CBN North America

Posted by Schoen and Max