by Amanda Daum
On March 2, 1979, Frank Weber (b. 1961) serenaded the SUNY Geneseo students, faculty, and general public in the MacVittie Ballroom. Weber was a singer, songwriter, and pianist from New York. His signature sound included the piano, catchy melodies, and a warm and inviting voice. It was more of a jazz pop approach with the combination of pop melodies with jazz harmonies and rhythms.
Weber’s album As The Time Flies (1978) fell somewhat flat in terms of sales in the United States, but was a hit in other countries. This album is filled with sophisticated melancholy love songs written with a jazzy touch. One of the songs on the album, “71,” is Weber’s ode to his younger years in the early 1970s. The song featured him crooning about a time where music seemed like a far-reaching horizon that he could follow forever. “71” is the kind of song that you want to listen to in the summer, perhaps while coasting down the highway without a care in the world. Interestingly enough, this album included Latin elements as well. There were some in the drumming and in the rhythm of tracks as well. The album also features guitarist Steve Gadd (b. 1945) who was a session drummer for the best pop artists of that time including big names like Billy Joel (b. 1949). In the song “Regina,” Gadd uses different drumming techniques including subdued drum rolls, and a closing rhythm that builds into an energetic syncopation that mirrors the lyrics thus bringing the song all together.
Weber released his second album, Frank Weber in 1980. These songs weren’t necessarily as catchy as the songs on his first album, but they deserve to shine in their own light. For example, in the song, “Between N.Y. and L.A.,” Weber seems to shred the piano while Ron Tierro’s work on the drums is ear-catching. Also included in the song are up-tempo horn lines and a very catchy chorus that might be heard by people all over humming after listening. In addition, a track entitled “Just Like Everyone Else” was like the name says it is sounding like Frank Weber is realizing that fame wasn’t coming for him. He faded out of the music scene shortly after this album’s release when he was dropped from his record company. He did make a third album in 2019 titled True Love, but it again was not much of a success in the markets.