California - 'I Could Make It Last Forever'

By Matt Watts

California's "I Could Make It Last Forever" is a song that combines wistful longing and wishful optimism in the face of missing someone you love and hoping they will return to your arms forever. With California's ever-endearing relationship with music that exudes joy (that they themselves have in life), even a song about a relationship that is distant feels positive in the end. California creates a dense harmonic arrangement in "I Could Make It Last Forever" to bring it fully to life and paint the emotions of the story. Les Fradkin originally co-wrote the song for an artist named Diane Ellis. He later brought the song to the Left Banke in 1972. At the time, it was set to analog tape with violins overdubbed. The song got shelved, but finally made it's debut in 2006 on Les' album, "Going Back." And now, California (Les Fradkin & Lorretta Pieper Fradkin) has a brand new mix that knocks it out of the park!

The new mix of "I Could Make It Last Forever" adds Loretta Pieper Fradkin for vocal harmony support along with a remix and master for a sound that hugs you. The song opens with an exuberant fanfare of brass created on the Melatron by Les Fradkin. For our readers who aren't sure what a Melatron is, it is an electro-musical instrument that uses keys to create different sounds. The brass created by the Melatron is reminiscent of former bands like Chicago who mastered pop music with horns. For our readers who aren't sure what a Melatron is, it is an electro-musical instrument that uses keys to create different sounds. The brass plays many important roles in the song (harmonic, rhythmic, and melodic). The arrangement is a testament to Fradkin's compositional genius. In the beginning, the brass opens up the song with memorable lines and sets an uplifting vibe. Sometimes, the brass is like a soft blanket, and other times it plays a transitional lead or announces the end of a phrase with precision.

Another highlight of the track is the vocal performance and vocal support. Les's voice is down-to-earth, mellow yet emotive and convincing. "Since you've been away, things have been bad, but they could have been better. If you only stayed, I know in my heart it would be forever." The verses build beautifully and effortlessly to the timeless chorus that pops off the needle and arrives as sunshine on a cloudy day. As the music continues, the addition of Loretta and the Left Banke on vocals takes the song to a new level, supporting each phrase and adding to its depth. Each moment of the song is executed to bring listeners' ears carefully in and out of each musical phrase, giving the song a relaxing feeling. There's no angst in the air. The bridge takes a chapter out of Baroque-rock's playbook for a section that is truly unique and not heard very often in today's music. Taking a bold leap that completely works, a violin section arrives. Announced by the brass and guitars trading off licks, this section feels like Pachelbel's cannon in a wedding ceremony except it has a mixture of both joy and sadness. The violin is sweet and sad. Perhaps it's a dream of forever, not completely realized - it's up to the isten to decide. "I could make it last forever, wait and see." California's 'I Could Make It Last Forever' is a song that you can listen to over and over and never tire of due to the songwriting, arrangement, and production mastery. It's both classic and fresh and paints a story of a hopeful reunion without an ounce of bitterness.

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Credits:

Les Fradkin - Lead Vocals, Electric 12 String Guitar, Mellotron

Loretta Pieper Fradkin - Lead & Background Vocals Michael Brown- Piano Tom Finn - Bass, Background Vocals Steve Martin Caro - Guitar, Background Vocals George Cameron - Drums, Background Vocals Harry Lookofsky (Mike's father) - Violins Recorded at A-1 Sound Studios, NYC (1972)

New Overdubs at RRO Studios, Colorado (2023)

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About California

The group California, featuring Les Fradkin (Vocals, Piano, Mellotron, Guitars, Bass, Producer, and Songwriter) as it’s founding Original Member (and still leading the group to this day), were Laurie Records recording Artists in the 1970’s and 1980’s. California had several hit singles during that time period including “See You In September”, “Jeans On”, “Summer Fun Medley” and “He’s Almost You”. Other California highlights included an appearance on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand TV show singing “Summer Fun Medley” as well as a Top 50 UK Chart placing for “He’s Almost You”. In fact, in 2020, a California B-Side “Paris (1945)” roared to the top of the Dutch and EU Charts.

Now, California thunders back at RRO Entertainment with all new material. California returns with Les Fradkin - Vocals, Mellotron, Piano, Bass, Guitars, Ztar, Songwriter and Co-Production and Loretta Pieper Fradkin - Vocals, Songwriter and Co-Production. Les and Loretta have co authored numerous hits during 2022, including 8 consecutive #1 UK Indie Radio Chart hits for Les Fradkin as a Solo Artist, several #1 hits on Los Angeles, California Indie Radio as well as “Under The Covers” placing at #50 in the Media Base CHR Activator Chart. For 2022 release, California presents its brand new Original Hit Single “I Could Make It last Forever”! and latest album, “California Loves You”. For more great music from California, visit Reverbnation.

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#California #LesFradkin #LorettaPieperFradkin #ICouldMakeItLastForever