Frank Weber - ...As The Time Flies - 1978 - RCA Victor
Frank Weber was a New York-based singer/songwriter/pianist who recorded two wonderful Adult Contemporary albums: "As The Time Flies" (1978) and "Frank Weber" (1980) before disappearing from the music scene. In both his works he successfully uses a dominating jazz/pop oriented pianistic approach, mixing pop melodies, jazzy harmonies and rhythms, all in a typical late seventies East Coast pop/rock vein. Frank Weber manages to make his music speak through a philosophical and intellectual lyrical touch, whether he delivers songs that should be considered Adult Contemporary standards ("'71", "As The Time Flies"), successfully revisiting jazz and pop standards ("Straighten Up And Fly Right", "Take It To The Limit"), or offering the listener both bright and catchy tunes ("Complicated Times" and "Between New York and L.A.") and touching love songs ("Regina", "Only For Tonight"). My personal tribute to Mr. Weber consists in playing his songs to the different audiences I meet (I am a pianist myself). The goal of this group would be reaching Mr. Weber himself, or simply let him know that around the world there are many people who still love listening to his music and would like to know more about him (very few things can be found on the Net). Whoever wants to share news and facts - as well as pictures, audio and video clips - about Mr. Weber's career or simply comment his AOR jems is welcome. Written by Alessandro Trentadue Privacy Type Open: All content is public. [from facebook.com]
New York based Frank Weber was obviously a very talented Adult Contemporary musician. Unfortunately, he seems to have disappeared from the music arena. His musical style encompassed elements of a jazzy Billy Joel, Marc Jordan, and Michael Franks. This music is normally classified as AOR West Coast soft rock. Many albums in this genre in the late seventies were very average, sugary, overly commercial productions and were churned out by the truckload. ATTF is a notable exception. Well written songs with good piano-oriented melodies, great musicianship, jazz-flavoured vocals and intelligent and thoughtful lyrics. Frank Weber is backed by artists including Mike Mainieri, Steve Gadd, Lou Marini, David Spinozza, John Tropea, and Luther Vandross. Frank stylishly covers the little heard 1944 song,"Straight Up And Fly Right" by Nat King Cole and Irving Mills. Frank released another album "Frank Weber" in 1981 also produced by Ed Newman. ATTF is an album that slipped through the net, and well worth hearing. Read a small story about the song, "Parents" @ http://badsneaker.wordpress.com/2006/04/23/as-the-time-flies/ Any information on this artist would be greatly appreciated
TRACKS
A1 '71 4:10
A2 Regina 4:47
A3 So Many Sides 6:04
A4 As The Time Flies 4:05
B1 Complicated Times 6:30
B2 I Know, You Know 4:10
B3 Straighten Up And Fly Right 3:08
B4 Parents 2:56
B5 Shining In You 4:43
All songs composed by Frank Weber except "Straighten Up And Fly Right" by Irving Mills, Nat King Cole
MUSICIANS
Vocals - Frank Weber, Piano
Guitar - David Spinozza, John Tropea
Bass - Anthony Jackson, Willy Lee
Keyboards - Richard Tee
Vibraphone, Percussion - Mike Mainieri
Drums - Steve Gadd
Percussion - Armen Halburian
Congas - Freddy Diaz
Saxophone [Solos] - Lou Marini
Horns - Burt Collins , George Flynn, George Young, Jimmy Knepper, Leonard Hambro, Richard Perry, Ron Janelli, Wayne Andre
Strings - Barry Finclair, Charles McCracken, Diana Halprin, Herbert Sorkin, Jonathan Abramowitz, Louis Eley, Richard Locker, Richard Sortomme, Robert Rosek, Tony Posk
Concertmaster [Strings] - David Nadien
Backing Vocals - Arnold McCuller, David Lasley, Luther Vandross, Ula Hedwig
15 comments:
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Never heard of this guy before, but I do know that when you combine jazz and pop it usually results in good things. *hint hint*
Hi,Mike. Especially when new *hint hint* albums are as regular as Halley's Comet! (LOL)! This could be a long thread! TTU soon, Mike
Never heard of this guy. Really great stuff. Thanks
Hi, Anonymous. This guy is an invisible man! Don't know why he isn't better known! Thanks, & keep in touch
Yeah, but this guy disappeared after just two albums. It reminds me of how Samuel Purdey released a grand total of one(!) album and that was it.
Hi,Mike. Have you heard that Samuel Purdey album?. Pretty good. How about Blind Faith's one album? Although most of the band are still around. Good topic this! Thanks, Mike. TTU soon
I've heard a few tracks off of it. VERY well done. Pop quiz: What do Marc Jordan, Steely Dan and Samuel Purdey all have in common?
Now, as for Frank Weber, this was a letdown for me. Was it the pretentious "Hi, I'm trying to be Billy Joel" lyrics which I cannot relate to? Perhaps. I'll agree that he's all soft like Marc Jordan albeit without that homely, nostalgic instinct, although he does write about the 'better times' he had back in '71. *sigh* Despite this, his music doesn't make me feel nostalgic. His music is like a more artsy Paul Simon and it's rather surprising to find the likes of Steve Gadd performing here.
Overall it's not AWFUL but it's just too shallow for my tastes.
Good analysis, Mike. Without going into too much detail, I think the album has a lot of musical merit. Steve Gadd probably appeared on hundreds of albums, so his appearance on the album is not that unusual. Well paid session men like great actors are not always that particular about their work. One of the tracks on Richard Page's "Shelter Me" album was co-written by Marc Jordan. The album was mixed by Elliott Scheiner, who also mixed some of Steely Dan and Samuel Purdey. Is that the connection you mean or am I missing the obvious?! Thanks, Mike. TTU soon
You're just too smart. *nudge* It would've been acceptable to have just said "Elliott Scheiner" but of course you spelled it out.
Funny thing is that I'd also believed for the longest time that Katz was also involved with Purdey's album. It bears such a striking similarity to SD's work.
You're right about Steve Gadd & other session musicians not making any distinction between artists. Just another pay day to them.
Hi,Mike. Try and dig me up a hard question!! (LOL)! Talking about Gary Katz, I only found out recently that he produced an album for the Irish singer/songwriter Paul Brady called "Trick or Treat"(which I haven't heard yet). I don't know if you know much about the guy, but he's a magnificent songwriter with a unique guitar style. Mostly folky stuff, but he delves into other genres. I have a few of his albums. Gary Katz has been very eclectic with his production work over the years, and he usually produces something good....Anyway, to continue the quiz, here is your starter for ten. What Becker & Fagen song has something in common with the British Prog. Rock band, Genesis? Over to you Bamber!!And don't contact Paul Gambaccini!! TTU soon
Answer: a squonk. (Hope I spelled that right, or is it squank?)
Never heard of Paul Brady. Then again, I was never the devoted folk follower, mainly because of *BLANK BLANK* altering my perception, or, if I may be so bold, raising my standards. Now, I find myself making all sorts of comparisons to *BLANK BLANK* even if the music in question has nothing to do with them. e.g. I'll contrast the creativeness of the harmonic progression, asking myself if it seems half-baked or of similar quality.
Speaking of which, Don's solo album is supposed to come out this year, hopefully before *BLANK BLANK* goes on tour. Until then, I'll be waiting ...impatiently.
Hi,Mike! A succinct answer, and also a Genesis track (spelt correctly)! You are two years away from the answer!I'm falling into the same trap...using the music of ** as the criterion by which the quality of all albums are measured. My neural receptors are now sculpted in such a way that when I listened to "The Best Of Robson And Jerome" last night, I was carefully listening out for any ** style chord progressions and "Purdie shuffles". Could'nt hear any! We're gonna have to find a new standard by which to measure infamy!Seriously, Mike, I'm really looking forward to DF's "new" album. Hope I still have my aural facilities intact by then! Thanks, Mike. TTU soon
Precisely. Always on the lookout for those elusive "Mu Major" chords, parallel triad motion (usually in whole-tones a-la Josie), ironic/cryptic lyrics, calling in multiple soloists for one song, et al.
Oh, and of course "Purdie shuffles." ;)
Well, Mike. We're not gonna find any of those elusive chords or those sardonically detached cryptic lyrics, because there's nobody out there who can f***ing reproduce them. Just gotta throw out your gold teeth and see how they roll! TTU soon,Mike
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