When Jukebox Queen Claire dela Fuente decided to return to recording a year ago, she was not only excited about having a new album after 17 years. She was also looking forward to working again with the musicians and arrangers who helped make her a big selling artist in the ’70s.
But this was not to be. A chance meeting with Hollywood producer Christian de Walden led to a demo recording of I Think They Call It Love with German pianist and arranger Ralp Stemman. The results were sensational. The voice that made Sayang a Manila Sound classic still had what it takes and De Walden excitedly agreed to do more songs for her.
It was not long after that the project got even bigger. De Walden soon had Claire flying out to Los Angeles to record a full album. Not only that, he also got her hooked up with Grammy winning lyricist Pamela Philips-Oland and meeting with her idol for all time, Richard Carpenter. Richard and Pamela gave Claire a song they wrote together titled Something in Your Eyes. This became the lead cut and title track of Claire’s new CD.
And there were more surprises to come. Claire may have lost the chance to work with her old friends again but she made a lot of new ones while working in LA. Impressed with her voice and dedication to her career, De Walden put together a dream team of musicians and arrangers for Claire’s album.
Dream here is no overstatement because if you will take a look at the CD’s credits, you will find that the names mentioned are considered A-listers in the international music scene. They are those whom the likes of Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion make sure are present whenever they tour or go to the studio.
Take Dean Parks for example. He is the one behind the dreamy unplugged bonus cut of All in the Name of Love in the album. Take a look at whom he plays guitar for in their recordings. Josh Groban, Steely Dan, Kenny G., Aretha Franklin, David Foster, Julia Fordham, Placido Domingo, Dion, Natalie Cole, Neil Diamond, Toni Braxton, Chris Botti, Michael Bublé, Anita Baker and Babyface.
What about John (JR) Robinson on drums. This guy started out with Rufus and Chaka Khan and later became Quincy Jones’ favorite drummer. He drummed in the landmark recording of We are the World and has played in sessions for Michael Jackson, Streisand, Lionel Richie, Madonna, Ray Charles and many others. Yamaha has even produced snare drums bearing his signature.
There is Randy Waldman on the piano. Waldman is not only a pianist who is Streisand’s touring favorite. He is also a conductor, arranger and producer. He got a Grammy for his gorgeous arrangement of Somewhere for Streisand. He also plays for Dion, Michael Bolton, Jackson, Whitney Houston, Foster, Diana Ross, Domingo, Madonna, Diana Krall, Barry Manilow, Kenny G and many more.
Rafael Padilla is on percussion in today’s sensational hit album Little Voice by Sarah Bareilles. You can also find his work in recordings by Jon Secada, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Gloria Estefan, Shakira, Jessica Simpson, Andrea Bocelli, Dion, etc.
Mention the name Abraham Laboriel and you will surely get the description legendary. Considered one of the best bass players in the world today, he has worked with Ray Charles, Madonna, Jackson, Paul Simon, Lee Ritenor, Elton John and many others. His son, drummer Abraham Laboriel Jr. also appears in Claire’s album. His work appears in recordings by Paul McCartney, Sting, Sheryl Crow, Eric Clapton, Shakira, etc.
If you wish, you may also google the names of guitarist and movie score composer James Harrah or of pianist Paul Mirkovich, who sings with Cher, to check out why they made Claire’s album truly special.
So do not be surprised to find Claire walking on cloud nine or even hysterical over her experience with Something In Your Eyes. Finally being able to work with Carpenter was already way over the top and she also got an album with session players that a lot of big stars in the world can only dream of working with.
Something in Your Eyes, CD’s first single, is now a hit. The other titles included are All in the Name of Love, Kahit Kunwari Lamang, If I Dream Without You, Ikaw ang Kailangan, I Think They Call It Love, Muling Tumitibok, That’s What Forever is For, You Were the One, My Love Will Make You Mine and Minahal Kita Ngunit Kulang.