Beau Williams – Bodacious

Beau returned to the studio with producer Al Abrahams to cut tunes for the album BODACIOUS. This time the sessions included the cream of LA’s music scene – arranger Gene Page, singer/songwriter James Ingram, guitarists Lee Ritenour & Ray Parker Jr. bassist Nathan East, percussionist Paulinho Da Costa, keyboardist Bobby Lyle, drummer Leon Ndugu Chancler. Songs were submitted from many – Gary Taylor wrote the mid-tempo “Don’t Say No” and the rocking “Slave” (Beau’s strong vocal skills married with drivnig rock guitar).. Beau, Al & Bobby came up with the uptempo dancer “Danger Zone” which could have given the Kenny Loggins hit of the same name some competition if it were released as a single.

Then we have Robbie Nevil’s “C’est La Vie” – “The version I cut was more in a soul-funk groove,” said Beau. “We felt it would make a good single but the A&R folks disagreed. So, Robbie went ahead & cut his version (in 1986), which became a hit.” Brill Building legends Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil came up with the ballad “The Last Time I Made Love” – a great showcase for Beau which could have been a single if the duet version by Joyce Kennedy & Jeffrey Osborne hadn’t hit the streets (as well as the pop & soul charts). “Dark & Lonely Nights’, “You Do It” and the ballad “You Are The One” (the latter penned by Beau with James Ingram on background vocals) rounded out the album.

1st time ever on CD – Beau Williams 1984 Album Bodacious.