In 1982, this tune was recorded by Robben Ford with Kazui Matsui, and the same year Average White Band did their recording....


Robben Ford with Kazu Matsui - Love's A Heartache





Average White Band - Love's A Heartache










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I've always loved this song. I found an incredible version by R&B male vocalist Leslie Smith, recorded in 1982 on Elektra Records.
To me to be the most definitive version. A little over produced with a lot of strings, but I tend to like that kind of stuff. Ned Doheny was a bas ass song writer and had quite a few great songs himself. This track and "A Love Of Your Own" are Ned's best work.
The track is on this album. I ripped it. The rest is not bad.
BTW - everything you post is in my iPod, before you even post them!

I met Robben and had him sign that Kazu album. It's one of my ALL TIME FAV'S!
When I told him that this was one of my all time favorite album, he wasn't impressed. In fact, I think I ticked him off. He went on about how much he hated those sessions.
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tricky2 said:

same wavelength!!!! Kool!!

I haven't heard Leslie's version, Thanks!!!

Actually, this is funny -I had Brenda Russell's version of It's Something, but I thought I remembered hearing a guy singing it on the radio too, back in the early 80's, but I didn't know who it was--Thanks for solving that mystery for me, after all these years!!!!





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tricky2 said:

I gotta admit, out of all his recordings, it was probably the least representative of his usual sound--it was probably way too commercial for him; in fact it was almost right after this that he started to dive headlong back into more straightforward Blues. Can't fault him for following his voice- though personally, I kinda liked the fact that back then, he was straddling commercial Pop along with Jazz, R&B, Blues, and Rock, especially when he was playing with what would become The Yellowjackets....


I love that Sunset Memories tune on the album--that would probably piss him off, too !!


so, he didn't even like the Sun Lake track? and I thought that was Kool, too, One of my favorite Robben Ford tracks, I love his guitar on that...











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[Edited 5/13/09 7:28am]

I also dig this track from that album. This you tube clip shows the wrong cover.
Robben uses one of those Roland Synth Guitars for the solos. I asked who the playing the Keyboard/Synth solo, he said, "That's Me." Kazu made him play that guitar with that effect. HE HATED IT!! Robben didn't like his vocal either.
But I love this song.


[Edited 5/13/09 6:07am]

He didn't mention "Sun Lake." he was more pissed off about "Time Flies" & "Love's A Heartache."

I ripped the album. I wish they would release this on CD.

tricky2 said:

They released the CD in Japan (of course) a few years back...but yeah, who knows if they'd even consider a US release....





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