The first new album in decades from legendary vocalist Darlene Love, Introducing Darlene Love, is available for pre-order at iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon.
Produced and arranged by artist/producer/E Street Band great Stevie Van Zandt, the album is comprised of all new recordings and features never-before-heard and classic songs from a superstar cast of songwriters eager to showcase one of the most seminal voices in music history. Fans who pre-order the album will receive the Elvis Costello-penned first single “Forbidden Nights” as an instant grat track.
Elvis Costello and Bruce Springsteen contribute two tracks each to the 14-song album (released on Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool label in partnership with Columbia Records – see full tracklist below) with Stevie Van Zandt penning three songs. Other writers include Jim Webb, Linda Perry, Desmond Child, Joan Jett, longtime songwriting team Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, and Michael Des Barres, and more.
The captivating Love brings her iconic vocal delivery to each song, including “Night Closing In” (Bruce Springsteen,) “Still To Soon To Know” (Elvis Costello),”Love Kept Us Foolin’ Around” (Linda Perry), “Who Under Heaven” (Jimmy Webb), “River Deep, Mountain High” (Phil Spector/Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich), and “Sweet Freedom” (Barry Man/Cynthia Weil), among others. Inducted in to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2011, The New York Times has called the singer “a thunderbolt voice embedded in the history of rock n’ roll…” and Rolling Stone praised her trademark vocal style as “a rare instrument sturdy enough to vault over Phil Spector’s ‘Wall of Sound.'”
Love’s five-decade career spans some of the greatest signature moments in music, with the Los Angeles native nurturing her talent early as a member of the Blossoms, a local trio who began their career providing backup vocals for artists such as Sam Cooke and Bobbie Day. The Blossoms also were featured as part of the house band for the popular ’60s music show Shindig, backing up many of the performers who appeared on the series. Love would go on to become one of the most sought-after singers in music history, recording with Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, Dionne Warwick, The Righteous Brothers, Tom Jones, and dozens of other vocal giants throughout her career. Her early work with pioneering producer Phil Spector on songs such as the trailblazing “He’s A Rebel,” “He’s Sure The Boy I Love,” and “Why Do Lover’s Break Each Other’s Hearts,” would garner her legend status. She is featured in the 2013 Academy Award and Grammy winning documentary 20 Feet From Stardom, chronicling the behind-the-scenes lives of background singers. Darlene’s annual holiday performance of her classic “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” on Late Night With David Letterman became a holiday viewing staple.
The prolific Van Zandt creates a compelling production aesthetic on Introducing Darlene Love, echoing the classic recording style of many early ’60s pop standards on the forthcoming Columbia Records/Wicked Cool release, available everywhere on September 18.
Tracklist:
1. Among The Believers (Stevie Van Zandt)
2. Forbidden Nights (Elvis Costello)
3. Love Kept Us Foolin’ Around (Linda Perry)
4. Little Liar (Desmond Child/Joan Jett)
5. Still Too Soon To Know (Elvis Costello)
6. Who Under Heaven (Jimmy Webb)
7. Night Closing In (Bruce Springsteen)
8. Painkiller (Michael Des Barres/Paul Ill)
9. Just Another Lonely Mile (Bruce Springsteen)
10. Last Time (Stevie Van Zandt)
11. River Deep, Mountain High (Phil Spector/Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich)
12. Sweet Freedom (Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil)
13. Marvelous (Walter Hawkins)
14. Jesus Is The Rock (That Keeps Me Rollin) (Stevie Van Zandt)
