London, 9th May 2011; The live tour and album concept conceived by television star and music producer David Gest,
Sir Cliff Richard will duet with more than ten soul legends on a brand new album (and tour featuring selected artists from the record) for EMI Music which will be produced by renowned Motown songwriters: Lamont Dozier (the songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland) whose hits include ‘Baby I Need Your Loving’; ‘Baby Love’; ‘How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)’; ‘Stop! In The Name Of Love’; ‘Reflections’, ‘This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)’; ‘You Keep Me Hangin’ On’; ‘Forever Came Today’; ‘I Hear A Symphony’; ‘I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)’ and ‘It’s The Same Old Song’) and the classic songwriting team of Nicholas Ashford and Valerie Simpson (‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’; ‘Let’s Go Get Stoned’; ‘California Soul’; Reach Out And Touch (Somebody’s Hand); ‘The Boss’; ‘Remember Me’; ‘Surrender’; ‘Your Precious Love’; ‘Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing’; ‘You’re All I Need To Get By’ and ’I’m Every Woman’). ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ star Gest, who was responsible for the highest-rated television musical in the United States and seven other countries ‘Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration’, which was Michael Jackson’s last concert as well as his last reunion with the Jackson 5, will executive produce the project.
The album was recorded in Memphis at Ardent Studios and Willie Mitchell’s Royal Studios, home of Hi Records and the Hi Rhythm Section. Willie Mitchell pioneered the Hi Records signature soul sound at Royal Studios, personified by singers O.V. Wright, Ann Peebles, Otis Clay, Syl Johnson and Al Green, whose ‘Let’s Stay Together’ topped Billboard charts in February 1972. Many of the top Memphis musicians who played on the most famous Hi Records tracks will be appearing on this album. Other tracks at a and s in ny
Both Lamont Dozier and Nicholas Ashford and Valerie Simpson are hit recording artists in their own right. Dozier’s own hits include: ‘Why Can’t We Be Lovers’; ‘Trying To Hold On To My Woman’; ‘Fish Ain’t Bitin’ and 'Let Me Start Tonite'. Nicholas Ashford and Valerie Simpson known as Ashford and Simpson have had hits including ‘Solid’; ‘Gimme Something Real’; ‘I Wanna Be Selfish’, ‘Come As You Are’; ‘So, So Satisfied’; ‘Send It’; ‘Is It Still Good To Ya?’; ‘Stay Free’ and ‘Real Love’.
Already confirmed to duet with Cliff Richard on the album as well as perform on his October 2011 UK tour, which will be produced and directed by Gest, are: Dennis Edwards & The Temptations Review: the Original Grammy Award-Winning lead singer of many of The Temptations classic hits
(‘Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone’; ‘I Can’t Get Next To You’; ‘Ball of Confusion’ and ‘Psychedelic Shack’); Russell Thompkins, Jr & the New Stylistics : the original lead singer of all the Stylistics hit records (‘I Can’t Give You Anything (But My Love)’; ‘Rock ‘N Roll Baby’; ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’; ‘You Make Me Feel Brand New’; ‘Betcha By Golly Wow’; Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)’, ‘You Are Everything’ and ‘Sing Baby Sing’); Candi Staton (‘You Got The Love’; ‘Young Hearts Run Free’; ‘In The Ghetto’, ‘Nights On Broadway’ and ‘Stand By Your Man’); Billy Paul (‘Me and Mrs. Jones’; ‘Let ‘Em In’ and ‘Your Song’); Freda Payne (‘Band Of Gold’; ‘Bring The Boys Home’ and ‘Deeper And Deeper’); Percy Sledge (‘When A Man Loves A Woman’; ‘Warm And Tender Love’; ‘Dark End Of The Street’ and ‘Take Time To Know Her’), as well as Lamont Dozier; Brenda Holloway ‘Every little bit hurts’ and ‘When I’m gone’ and ‘You made me so very happy’. Deniece Williams ‘ Lets hear it for the boy’, ‘Free’ and ‘Its gonna take a miracle’. Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. (Aquarius/ Let the Sunshine In, ‘Up up and away’ and ‘ You don’t have to be a star (to be in my show). And this is just the beginning of an amazing list being assembled for this project!
According to Gest: “A mutual friend of ours, TV presenter Gloria Hunniford, approached me about working with Sir Cliff. I came up with the idea of doing an album of duets with soul legends as well as a number of modern R&B artists. Most of the tunes are very contemporary and do not be surprised if a rapper or two appear on this album! There will also be a few remakes that have an exciting new twist to them. Cliff has a remarkable voice and I think people will be amazed by the versatility he shows on this new album. I am very excited about filming our upcoming DVD ‘The Making Of…’ which will coincide with the album release in October 2011. Additionally, I will bring Cliff Richard to Vegas in February 2012 where he will perform for the first time on the Strip with an entirely brand new show that I am producing and directing”.
Celebrating his 53rd anniversary in the music business this year, Cliff Richard is indisputably Britain’s all-time greatest hit-maker – the ultimate pop star! No other UK band or solo artist is even close to equalling his 123 single hits, or can claim to have occupied a place in our charts for the equivalent of over 20 years! Highlights of this remarkable career are too numerous to mention, but successful films, musicals, concert tours and television shows have all contributed to the Cliff Richard legend.
Cliff’s 50th anniversary as a show-business phenomenon was marked by a celebratory UK concert tour – ‘Cliff Richard – The Time Machine Tour’ –in 2008, plus the publication of a new autobiography – My Life, My Way – and the release by EMI of an 8-CD box set – ‘And They Said It Wouldn’t Last!’ – comprising some of Cliff’s well-known hits, but also featuring rarer tracks and 35 previously unreleased songs.
In 2009/10 Cliff reunited with The Shadows for an extensive sell-out tour of Britain, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. To mark his 70th birthday in October 2010, Cliff played six concerts in London’s Royal Albert Hall. Entitled Bold As Brass, they introduced a new musical genre as Cliff performed with a swing band. His album of the same name entered the UK album charts at No 2 that same week, and the DVD of his London shows was No 1 in the music DVD charts.
Cliff’s knighthood, bestowed in the 1995 Birthday Honours for his tireless charity work, was the first such to be given to a pop star. His practical support of so many good causes reflects the reality of his deep Christian commitment, which began in the mid-1960’s, and which, despite the media critics who claimed it was a passing fad or a publicity gimmick, has been the motivating force in his life ever since.
Oct 2011
SATURDAY 15 NOTTINGHAM CAPITAL FM ARENA
MONDAY 17 MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS ARENA
WEDNESDAY 19 LIVERPOOL ECHO ARENA
SATURDAY 22 BIRMINGHAM LG ARENA
SUNDAY 23 BIRMINGHAM LG ARENA
TUESDAY 25 LONDON O2 ARENA
WEDNESDAY 26 LONDON O2 ARENA
FRIDAY 28 NEWCASTLE METRO RADIO ARENA
Tickets on sale 9AM Sunday 15th May and are priced at £60/£70, and can be booked through www.livenation.co.uk (all tickets subject to a booking fee) The National Ticket Hotline 0844 875 8751
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. – Aristotle
