A Purple Musical Appreciation Thread on Clare Fischer (CF) who worked with Prince during the mega successful part of Prince’s career in the 80’s.
Most of the Prince hardcore will know about CF’s work on:
The Family album
Parade
Under The Cherry Moon
Most of the Prince hardcore will know about CF’s work on:
The Family album
Parade
Under The Cherry Moon
CF was an American keyboardist, composer, arranger & bandleader who recorded over 50 albums covering a diversity of styles - Jazz, Classical, Latin & Soundtracks.
He worked with a multitude of artists including Prince.
13 times Grammy nominated & 3 times Grammy winner.
He worked with a multitude of artists including Prince.
13 times Grammy nominated & 3 times Grammy winner.
Susannah Melvoin (Wendy’s twin sister), Prince’s former GF & member of The Family introduced Prince to CF’s music.
Susannah was mesmerised by the string arrangements of Claus Ogerman on a Bill Evans album “Symbiosis”.
Susannah was mesmerised by the string arrangements of Claus Ogerman on a Bill Evans album “Symbiosis”.
Closest thing she heard 2 the beauty of those arrangements were by CF on a record by Rufus & Chaka called “Rufusized”:
She called CF her muse & the inspiration behind the strings on the Family album.
She called CF her muse & the inspiration behind the strings on the Family album.
“I just said, “Prince, why don't we get Clare to do the strings on our record?” He said, “Yeah.” I said, “My dad knows him.” I called my dad and said “Pop, you gotta call Clare and see if he's up for it.” He was.“
And that’s how CF ended up working with Prince.
And that’s how CF ended up working with Prince.
CF’s first Prince related project was the majestic Family album & CF did the string orchestration on the following tracks:
High Fashion
The screams of passion
River Run Dry
NCTY
Desire
Considered by many to be one of Prince’s finest side projects because of CF’s strings.
High Fashion
The screams of passion
River Run Dry
NCTY
Desire
Considered by many to be one of Prince’s finest side projects because of CF’s strings.
CF made an amazing contribution to the following Prince catalogue:
Parade
Alexa De Paris
Slow Love
Jill Jones album
Batman
Graffiti Bridge
O(+>
Pink Cashmere
Crystal Ball
Strays of the World
Goodbye (“the everbeautiful Clare Fischer”)
Parade
Alexa De Paris
Slow Love
Jill Jones album
Batman
Graffiti Bridge
O(+>
Pink Cashmere
Crystal Ball
Strays of the World
Goodbye (“the everbeautiful Clare Fischer”)
Until U’re in my Arms Again
The One
Old Friends 4 Sale
The Sun, The Moon & Stars
Silly Game
String Segue Rave
NPG Orchestra - Kamasutra
Call My Name
Te Amo Corazon
The One
Old Friends 4 Sale
The Sun, The Moon & Stars
Silly Game
String Segue Rave
NPG Orchestra - Kamasutra
Call My Name
Te Amo Corazon
Prince even acknowledged CF in the album liner notes of the Parade album & he didn’t do that very often:
“With special thanks 2 Clare Fischer 4 Making Brighter the Colors Black and White”
“With special thanks 2 Clare Fischer 4 Making Brighter the Colors Black and White”
CF on Prince:
“Prince is intelligent. He never visits the studio when I am working for him; and I have never met him in person. He sends me memos and we talk over the phone.”
“Prince is intelligent. He never visits the studio when I am working for him; and I have never met him in person. He sends me memos and we talk over the phone.”
“Once I sent him my “2+2″ Grammy winning CD. I heard from people that were present at the time that while he took out the disc he looked away from the cover, saying, ‘I don’t want to know what he looks like. It is working just fine as it is.’”
So the two never met & when asked what he found most interesting about working with Prince, CF said:
“The fact that he allows me complete freedom in what I do.”
CF’s son, Brent estimates that “for every one song Clare made with Prince, 25 are in the artist’s vault.”
“The fact that he allows me complete freedom in what I do.”
CF’s son, Brent estimates that “for every one song Clare made with Prince, 25 are in the artist’s vault.”
Information on their working relationship is very thin on the ground & it is hoped that Duane Tudahl’s forthcoming book due in 2021 will shed more light on it.
It is also hoped that when the Parade Super Deluxe comes out it will include CF’s full score of Under The Cherry Moon.
It is also hoped that when the Parade Super Deluxe comes out it will include CF’s full score of Under The Cherry Moon.
Within the Purple Bubble, I would recommend the following links so that you can find out more about CF’s work with Prince.
Firstly, there’s an excellent 2006 interview by @housequake:
housequake.com/2006/04/17/cla…
Firstly, there’s an excellent 2006 interview by @housequake:
housequake.com/2006/04/17/cla…
Then there’s a great podcast by the Aussie boys @peach_and_black that goes into some depth about the collaboration between the two that is a must listen:
mixcloud.com/peachblackpodc…
mixcloud.com/peachblackpodc…
Finally, there’s a brilliant DJ mix by the one & only @polishedsolid who incorporates a bulk of the material CF worked on with Prince & includes some wider material too:
grownfolksmusic.com/dj-polished-so…
grownfolksmusic.com/dj-polished-so…
So the above is an intro to CF’s work with Prince but the real purpose of my thread is to introduce you to the music of CF.
This is a mammoth task as CF has worked on hundreds of recordings and had over 50 album releases of his own.
This is a mammoth task as CF has worked on hundreds of recordings and had over 50 album releases of his own.
So now I would really love to focus on the man himself & his music because it’s simply breathtaking.
I will cover around 20+ of my favourite tracks throughout his career as a Leader, Arranger & Sideman in decade order.
I hope this will serve as a great intro to his material.
I will cover around 20+ of my favourite tracks throughout his career as a Leader, Arranger & Sideman in decade order.
I hope this will serve as a great intro to his material.
1950’s
CF worked mainly as an Arranger & occasional pianist during this period.
The HI-LO’S
Fischer recorded several albums with this group, serving as pianist and, on occasion, arranger. In addition, he contributed several vocal arrangements.
CF worked mainly as an Arranger & occasional pianist during this period.
The HI-LO’S
Fischer recorded several albums with this group, serving as pianist and, on occasion, arranger. In addition, he contributed several vocal arrangements.
It was these arrangements with the Hi-Lo’s that Herbie Hancock would later point to as a major influence:
“CF was a major influence on my harmonic concept...he was a wonderful pianist, too. But it was those vocal harmonies that were the first thing I heard. I was in awe of him”
“CF was a major influence on my harmonic concept...he was a wonderful pianist, too. But it was those vocal harmonies that were the first thing I heard. I was in awe of him”
They were a vocal group with a style and substance that confounded critics, arrangers, and record producers alike.
Their fans included the likes of Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Rosemary Clooney, Sammy Davis, Jr & Bing Crosby-"these guys are so good they can whisper in harmony."
Their fans included the likes of Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Rosemary Clooney, Sammy Davis, Jr & Bing Crosby-"these guys are so good they can whisper in harmony."
Sinatra even signed them to his Reprise label in the 60’s.
Their legacy has been carried forth by groups such as The Manhattan Transfer & The Beach Boys.
Here is an amazing track from their 1959 album “All that Jazz”.
Their legacy has been carried forth by groups such as The Manhattan Transfer & The Beach Boys.
Here is an amazing track from their 1959 album “All that Jazz”.
This same track was sampled by 90’s alternative Hip Hop group Jurassic 5 for their song “The Influence” taken from their album Quality Control.
50’s - INDIAN SUMMER
As an Arranger he also worked with Jazz Trumpeter Donald Byrd on an album called “September Afternoon”.
Although this album was recorded in 1957, unfortunately it didn’t see the light of day on the release front until 1982.
As an Arranger he also worked with Jazz Trumpeter Donald Byrd on an album called “September Afternoon”.
Although this album was recorded in 1957, unfortunately it didn’t see the light of day on the release front until 1982.
About this record CF said:
"This was and is my very first professional work in recording as sole arranger for an album, and my first recording with Donald Byrd”.
"This was and is my very first professional work in recording as sole arranger for an album, and my first recording with Donald Byrd”.
60’s
In the 60’s CF really broadened his musical horizons.
His solo output emerged & he was into Latin music & different genres, Jazz, Bossa Nova, Mambo with the harmonic depth of Bach & Stravinsky.
It was his most prolific & creative period as an artist in his own right.
In the 60’s CF really broadened his musical horizons.
His solo output emerged & he was into Latin music & different genres, Jazz, Bossa Nova, Mambo with the harmonic depth of Bach & Stravinsky.
It was his most prolific & creative period as an artist in his own right.
60’s - Caravan
As an Arranger he started working with Dizzy Gillespie on his album “A Portrait of Duke Ellington”.
I have chosen “Caravan” a well known Jazz Standard from this Dizzy album which has North African & Middle Eastern inflections.
As an Arranger he started working with Dizzy Gillespie on his album “A Portrait of Duke Ellington”.
I have chosen “Caravan” a well known Jazz Standard from this Dizzy album which has North African & Middle Eastern inflections.
Few things to note:
Byrd played the unreleased “September Afternoon” to Dizzy that led to CF creating all the orchestral arrangements on this album.
Inexplicably CF wasn’t credited on the original release & his beautiful work on this album was overlooked for over 25 years!
Byrd played the unreleased “September Afternoon” to Dizzy that led to CF creating all the orchestral arrangements on this album.
Inexplicably CF wasn’t credited on the original release & his beautiful work on this album was overlooked for over 25 years!
25 years uncredited until the album was reissued on CD & he was finally given his long overdue credit.
However in spite of not being credited at all at the time of the original release, CF didn’t go totally unnoticed as one Washington Post reviewer picked up on in 1961:
However in spite of not being credited at all at the time of the original release, CF didn’t go totally unnoticed as one Washington Post reviewer picked up on in 1961:
“that depth and skill, stimulated by a change in the strale Gillespie repertoire and complemented by rich, radically imaginative arrangements by, I am told, Fischer, result in a really classic album.
Fischer, a young conservatory graduate, is a new name to be reckoned with.”
Fischer, a young conservatory graduate, is a new name to be reckoned with.”
60’s - Nigerian Walk
A track from his debut solo recording as a Leader “First Time Out” was released in 1962.
A track from his debut solo recording as a Leader “First Time Out” was released in 1962.
“First Time Out is from a rather unexpected source: it is a recital by a piano trio, led by CF, a man previously known for his arranging and composing. Fischer's piano is not 'interesting,' as an arranger's piano is apt to be. It is much more accomplished than that."
60’s - Pensativa
One of his most famous & widely regarded tracks as a Leader & Sideman Pianist that is influenced by the Brazilian Bossa Nova genre.
It’s from an album that he did with Saxophonist Bud Shanks called “Bossa Nova Jazz Samba”.
One of his most famous & widely regarded tracks as a Leader & Sideman Pianist that is influenced by the Brazilian Bossa Nova genre.
It’s from an album that he did with Saxophonist Bud Shanks called “Bossa Nova Jazz Samba”.
The masters Jobim, Getz & Gilberto set the precedent for Bossa Nova that is difficult to dislodge but Pensativa makes a fair attempt & is widely regraded as a Jazz & Bossa Nova standard.
60’s - Cal Tjader
CF appears on this album “Cal Tjader plays the contemporary music of Mexico & Brazil” as a pianist & arranger.
A beautiful bright & breezy track enveloping all the rays of sunshine.
CF appears on this album “Cal Tjader plays the contemporary music of Mexico & Brazil” as a pianist & arranger.
A beautiful bright & breezy track enveloping all the rays of sunshine.
This album by world famous jazz vibraphonist Cal Tjader was influenced by Mexican composer Mario Ruiz Armengol & Brazilian Bossa Nova composers like Jobim & Bonfa.
60’s - Brasamba
This is the title track of the album & CF appears on this as a Leader & Sideman alongside Saxophonist Bud Shanks & guitarist Joe Pass.
Another in the Bossa Nova genre.
This is the title track of the album & CF appears on this as a Leader & Sideman alongside Saxophonist Bud Shanks & guitarist Joe Pass.
Another in the Bossa Nova genre.
60’s - Passacaglia
Taken from his third album “Extension” & considered his first “big band” record.
This album is considered a masterpiece & this is such a magnificent moody track.
Sorry, no YT link.
Spotify:
open.spotify.com/track/4KI0HNls…
Amazon:
music.amazon.co.uk/albums/B002HYU…
Taken from his third album “Extension” & considered his first “big band” record.
This album is considered a masterpiece & this is such a magnificent moody track.
Sorry, no YT link.
Spotify:
open.spotify.com/track/4KI0HNls…
Amazon:
music.amazon.co.uk/albums/B002HYU…
Album Review:
"a majestic culmination of his concepts, drawing upon myriad influences, including rich Ellingtonian voicings, the angular harmonic intervals of bebop, and bold modernist innovations proffered by classical composers such as Béla Bartók and Dmitri Shostakovich."
"a majestic culmination of his concepts, drawing upon myriad influences, including rich Ellingtonian voicings, the angular harmonic intervals of bebop, and bold modernist innovations proffered by classical composers such as Béla Bartók and Dmitri Shostakovich."
60’s - Morning
Another solo effort as Leader & “Manteca” is his first album devoted purely to Afro-Cuban Jazz.
Another one of his most renowned tracks that became a jazz standard.
Another solo effort as Leader & “Manteca” is his first album devoted purely to Afro-Cuban Jazz.
Another one of his most renowned tracks that became a jazz standard.
This album is the bomb & 1 of my faves from his discography.
The first side (4 tracks) of this album features a 13 piece ensemble creating a space-age soundscape of brass infusions whilst the second side (5 tracks) is played by a sextet with more focus on percussion & piano.
The first side (4 tracks) of this album features a 13 piece ensemble creating a space-age soundscape of brass infusions whilst the second side (5 tracks) is played by a sextet with more focus on percussion & piano.
60’s - In Memoriam
Another solo effort as Leader & CF makes a rare appearance on alto sax on this track which is a tribute to the assassinated Kennedy brothers.
Taken from his 1969 album “Thesaurus”.
Another solo effort as Leader & CF makes a rare appearance on alto sax on this track which is a tribute to the assassinated Kennedy brothers.
Taken from his 1969 album “Thesaurus”.
70’s
It was in the 70’s that CF really excelled in his work with black music artists & became an in demand Arranger imbuing R&B & Soul
with his orchestral arrangements & working with the likes of Rufus & Chaka Khan, The Jacksons & Atlantic Starr amongst others.
It was in the 70’s that CF really excelled in his work with black music artists & became an in demand Arranger imbuing R&B & Soul
with his orchestral arrangements & working with the likes of Rufus & Chaka Khan, The Jacksons & Atlantic Starr amongst others.
70’s
He was also in demand as a sideman working with Quincy Jones, Donald Byrd, Art Pepper.
Most surprisingly he also appeared playing keyboard on the Bruce Lee “Enter the Dragon” soundtrack by Lalo Schifrin.
He was also in demand as a sideman working with Quincy Jones, Donald Byrd, Art Pepper.
Most surprisingly he also appeared playing keyboard on the Bruce Lee “Enter the Dragon” soundtrack by Lalo Schifrin.
70’s
He resurrected his relationship with the brilliant Vibraphonist Cal Tjader & did a series of albums with him.
As by now CF was regarded as a pioneer on the electric keyboard & this reunion further ignited his passion for Latin-American music.
He resurrected his relationship with the brilliant Vibraphonist Cal Tjader & did a series of albums with him.
As by now CF was regarded as a pioneer on the electric keyboard & this reunion further ignited his passion for Latin-American music.
Consequently, he started his own group made up of Latino musicians Salsa Picante who paved a pivotal role for him not in this decade but the next.
70’s - Cal Tjader - Cuban Fantasy
On Cuban Fantasy, Clare is on keyboards as sideman.
This is an amazing album & this track in particular is total 🔥
On Cuban Fantasy, Clare is on keyboards as sideman.
This is an amazing album & this track in particular is total 🔥
Album Review:
“Tjader’s way with melody is simply a gift, a gift on display as he dances through the opening “Cuban Fantasy.” It is quickly apparent why this descarga (jam session) was chosen as the first and title track to this set, as Tjader pirouettes through its melody....
“Tjader’s way with melody is simply a gift, a gift on display as he dances through the opening “Cuban Fantasy.” It is quickly apparent why this descarga (jam session) was chosen as the first and title track to this set, as Tjader pirouettes through its melody....
.....and Sanchez pounds out an amazing flurry of warm notes played almost too fast to be distinguished individually—a wall of conga sound.”
70’s - Canonic Passacaglia
From 75’ album “Alone Together” described by Pianist, composer & educator Dobbins:
"If I had to make a list of the ten most important solo jazz piano recordings of all time, this recording would definitely be on the list”
From 75’ album “Alone Together” described by Pianist, composer & educator Dobbins:
"If I had to make a list of the ten most important solo jazz piano recordings of all time, this recording would definitely be on the list”
80’s
It could be argued CF’s profile was at its highest in 80’s. We all know he worked with Prince which raised his profile even higher & as a result he ended up working with a whole host of people including Carlos Santana, Paul McCartney, Robert Palmer & Al Jarreau
It could be argued CF’s profile was at its highest in 80’s. We all know he worked with Prince which raised his profile even higher & as a result he ended up working with a whole host of people including Carlos Santana, Paul McCartney, Robert Palmer & Al Jarreau
80’s
In this decade he also expanded upon his work with his Latino band Salsa Picante to include 4 vocalists billed as 2+2.
He won a Grammy during this period for his work with Salsa Picante & 2 + 2 in 1981.
In this decade he also expanded upon his work with his Latino band Salsa Picante to include 4 vocalists billed as 2+2.
He won a Grammy during this period for his work with Salsa Picante & 2 + 2 in 1981.
80’s Gaviota
Machaca is the second album to feature his Latin jazz combo, Salsa Picante.
This track is a gorgeous Boleroesque number with very intricate & complex keyboard work on the Fender Rhodes by the master himself.
Machaca is the second album to feature his Latin jazz combo, Salsa Picante.
This track is a gorgeous Boleroesque number with very intricate & complex keyboard work on the Fender Rhodes by the master himself.
80’s Cositas
The Machaca album is so good that I had to pick another number from it.
This track could quite easily have sat on Prince’s N.E.W.S. album & you wouldn’t have blinked an eye.
The Machaca album is so good that I had to pick another number from it.
This track could quite easily have sat on Prince’s N.E.W.S. album & you wouldn’t have blinked an eye.
80’s Serenidade
A track he recorded with Salsa Picante from the “Crazy Bird” album.
This is a beautiful & understated number in the same sonic territory as his work on the Parade soundtrack.
A track he recorded with Salsa Picante from the “Crazy Bird” album.
This is a beautiful & understated number in the same sonic territory as his work on the Parade soundtrack.
80’s Morning (Vocal)
In the 80’s CF reworked this jazz standard that he had created in the 60’s & did a vocal version with 2+2.
This album won a Grammy in 1981 for Best Latin Recording.
In the 80’s CF reworked this jazz standard that he had created in the 60’s & did a vocal version with 2+2.
This album won a Grammy in 1981 for Best Latin Recording.
80’s Free Fall
This track is from another album he recorded with 2+2 which was also nominated in three categories for the Grammy Awards.
This track is from another album he recorded with 2+2 which was also nominated in three categories for the Grammy Awards.
90’s
As an Arranger, he worked with 1 of the Bossa Nova greats Joao Gilberto.
He released a plethora of solo projects including 1 with The Netherlands Metropole Orchestra.
Another notable work was the re-issue of Art Pepper's Tokyo Debut Live album on which he played piano.
As an Arranger, he worked with 1 of the Bossa Nova greats Joao Gilberto.
He released a plethora of solo projects including 1 with The Netherlands Metropole Orchestra.
Another notable work was the re-issue of Art Pepper's Tokyo Debut Live album on which he played piano.
90’s - Guijara
Taken from his rare solo piano album “Just me”.
This is a beautiful Latin number.
Taken from his rare solo piano album “Just me”.
This is a beautiful Latin number.
00’s
Due to his commercial work he was able to finance the Clare Fischer Jazz Corps, which was his 30 piece instrumental group, incorporating instruments from a big band + French horns, valve bugles from soprano to contrabass & other unusual instruments.
Due to his commercial work he was able to finance the Clare Fischer Jazz Corps, which was his 30 piece instrumental group, incorporating instruments from a big band + French horns, valve bugles from soprano to contrabass & other unusual instruments.
00’s - Corcovado
With the Jazz Corps, he created a beautiful Classical album “After the Rain” which featured an alternative arrangement Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Corcovado" which he penned as a tribute him following his death.
This is that track.
With the Jazz Corps, he created a beautiful Classical album “After the Rain” which featured an alternative arrangement Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Corcovado" which he penned as a tribute him following his death.
This is that track.
This is what he said about it:
"The death of my friend Tom Jobim has affected me deeply. Like me he was 68, and I am still alive.
After he died I had a dream in which I was conducting his 'Corcovado'.....
"The death of my friend Tom Jobim has affected me deeply. Like me he was 68, and I am still alive.
After he died I had a dream in which I was conducting his 'Corcovado'.....
.....Only it was not a normal version, there were these harmonic countermelodies in the bass. When I awoke I wrote down what I had dreamed. It became Jobim's In Memoriam, a piece I called 'Corcovado Fúnebre.'"
00 - Quiet Reflections
This was taken from his “Introspectivo” album in 2005 which contained compositions unearthed by his son Brent, this would be CF fifth and final strictly solo piano recording.
This was taken from his “Introspectivo” album in 2005 which contained compositions unearthed by his son Brent, this would be CF fifth and final strictly solo piano recording.
10’s
In the 2010’s CF won 2 further Grammys.
¡Ritmo! (2012) won the The Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album
Music for Strings, Percussion & the Rest (2013) – won the Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition (for "Pensiamento for Solo Alto Saxophone and Chamber Orchestra")
In the 2010’s CF won 2 further Grammys.
¡Ritmo! (2012) won the The Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album
Music for Strings, Percussion & the Rest (2013) – won the Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition (for "Pensiamento for Solo Alto Saxophone and Chamber Orchestra")
10’s - Amor em Paz
This gorgeous Jobim composition is a Bossa Nova standard & was taken from his 2015 album “Out of the Blue” 3 years after his death & produced by his son, Brent Fischer.
Spotify:
open.spotify.com/album/1Y9hKhEI…
Amazon:
music.amazon.co.uk/albums/B015PGY…
This gorgeous Jobim composition is a Bossa Nova standard & was taken from his 2015 album “Out of the Blue” 3 years after his death & produced by his son, Brent Fischer.
Spotify:
open.spotify.com/album/1Y9hKhEI…
Amazon:
music.amazon.co.uk/albums/B015PGY…
So this brings me to the end of this #megathread on #clarefischer & #prince.
If you really do love music & wish to expand your musical taste beyond Prince then this CF catalogue is a very rich place to start.
If you really do love music & wish to expand your musical taste beyond Prince then this CF catalogue is a very rich place to start.
If you want to know what attracted Prince to CF & how his works like Parade, UTCM & many others were constructed & formed then CF’s catalogue provides many clues to this.
It’s an incredible & essential legacy of work that contributes so much to the World of Music.
It’s an incredible & essential legacy of work that contributes so much to the World of Music.
If you enjoyed this thread & would like more, you can check out my other Prince mega threads via the link below - no need to hit that bell or to subscribe 🤣
Just, check in from time to time, when you are feeling lonely.
Just, check in from time to time, when you are feeling lonely.
I’m always adding new tweets to my threads & I just had to add this here 💜🙏🏽☔️
A further postscript:
This is essential viewing too by one of the OG’s in the game @MDean of @PodcastJuice who interviewed CF’s son on his father’s work.
Something I completely missed.
This is essential viewing too by one of the OG’s in the game @MDean of @PodcastJuice who interviewed CF’s son on his father’s work.
Something I completely missed.
