Paul Williams: Where is the Love?

[El Dingo]

I was first introduced to Paul Williams' music via "Phantom of the Paradise".

I would listen to that soundtrack over and over again, relishing the vocals of Gerrit Graham, William Finley and Paul Williams himself. The mix of 70's rock, metal, California surfer, love ballads and even 1920's pop was innovative and damn catchy.

Then he wrote the music for 'Bugsy Malone' (which no one but me has ever seen, apparently), 'A Star is Born' ('Evergreen' won an Oscar) and 'The Muppet movie'.

"Rainbow Connection" is played for every freakin' Jim Henson tribute but no one mentions the guy who wrote it.

He also has a string of hits for The Carpenters ("You and Me Against the World", "Rainy Days and Mondays", "We've Only Just Begun", "I Won't Last a Day Without You") and Three Dog Night ("Just an Old Fashioned Love Song", "Family of Man")

So - Just showing some love for a vastly under-appreciated composer that profoundly affected my appreciation of music.