Boys Don't Cry sees Rumer bringing her remarkable voice to a striking selection of songs penned and originally performed by some of the most iconic male songwriters of the 1970s. The album showcases stunning reinterpretations of classics like Daryl Hall & John Oates' "Sara Smile" and Townes van Zandt's "Flyin' Shoes" alongside lesser-known works by such legendary tunesmiths as Todd Rundgren, Isaac Hayes, Ronnie Lane, Paul Williams, Stephen Bishop and Terry Reid. (see track listing below).
The album has already begun drawing critical applause, with Mojo hailing it for "(showing) off Rumer's ability to inhabit, interpret and seek out the universal... Rumer's still-remarkable Karen Carpenter voice (is) the gentle hand on forehead, pure white linen, a kind of musical Florence Nightingale, quick to round up the strays, seal up the wounds and make everything lovely."
Rumer heralded next week's British release of Boys Don't Cry with a stellar rendition of the album's first single, Jimmy Webb's "P.F. Sloan," on the BBC's flagship music program, Later with Jools Holland. The singular performance -- which saw Rumer accompanied by the one and only Webb -- can be viewed now at Rumer's official website, www.rumer.co.uk/updates,watch-rumer-performing-with-jimmy-webb_129.htm?f=news. Additionally, Rumer will celebrate the release of Boys Don't Cry with a live show at London's St. James's Church which will be broadcast live via different online partners around the globe.
Here in the U.S., Rumer was among the superstar artists contributing her talents to Burt Bacharach & Hal David: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song In Performance at the White House, an all-star PBS music special filmed as part of the Emmy Award-nominated PBS series, In Performance at the White House. The concert event, hosted by President and Mrs. Obama, was held earlier this month in honor of songwriters Bacharach and David's receipt of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song and also features performances by Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow, Michael Feinstein, Diana Krall, Lyle Lovett, Arturo Sandoval, and many others. Burt Bacharach & Hal David: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song In Performance at the White House premiered Monday, May 21st at 9 pm ET on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings). To view the clip of Rumer's performance click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiOqnCns59Y
Fueled by the much-admired hit singles "Slow" and "Aretha," Seasons Of My Soul was a platinum certified popular success upon its initial 2010 U.K. release. What's more, the album proved an international sensation, reaching the top 10 in Belgium, Norway, Ireland, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.
Seasons Of My Soul was also a critical phenomenon, earning unprecedented acclaim for a debut album. Mojo hailed the collection as a five-star "Instant Classic," praising Rumer for "(achieving) perfect balance between effusion and restraint... It's as if Rumer is laying bare humanity's soul, such is her ability to create intimacy and emotional depth within a song." "A mellifluous aural balm of jazz and soul, these are songs of yearning and loss," declared Q in a four-starred rave, while Uncut applauded the album for its "dream-like melancholy, thanks to the tension between Rumer's sweet voice and her troubled lyrics." "Sensationally good," affirmed The Sunday Times, "Rumer has one of those voices -- a sort of confiding, conversational sigh, equal parts Laura Nyro, Karen Carpenter, Dusty Springfield, and Joni Mitchell -- you would be happy to listen to for days and days."
Furthermore, Rumer received rapturous praise for her live performances, with Q extolling "a voice pure as a primary colour, dappling occasional light towards Carole King, more seldom Alison Goldfrapp, but for the most part a fiery phoenix rising from the unmistakable ashes of Karen Carpenter." "Her vocals are a deft blend of bright, shining delicacy and the darkness of genuine heartache," declared The Independent of a headline appearance at London's famed Bloomsbury Theatre, with The Times proclaiming the show as "a classic pop moment." In addition, a performance at New York's Joe's Pub earned the admiration of the Daily News, who noted, "It's particularly gratifying in these melisma-mad days to hear a singer who doesn't throw her voice around athletically. Instead (Rumer) trusts the essential quality of her instrument to tell the tale."
The U.S. release of Seasons Of My Soul was followed by a number of high-profile TV appearances, including NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, E! News, and CBS Sunday Morning. The latter feature instantly established Rumer as a major star, catapulting the album to #1 on the iTunes Store as well as both Amazon and Barnes & Noble's digital albums charts.
Rumer - Boys Don't Cry Tracklisting
Release Date: September 25th
1. "P.F. Sloan" (Jimmy Webb)
2. "Be Nice To Me" (Todd Rundgren)
3. "Traveling Boy" (Paul Williams)
4. "Soulsville" (Isaac Hayes)
5. "Same Old Tears On A New Background" (Stephen Bishop)
6. "Sara Smile" (Daryl Hall & John Oates)
7. "Flyin' Shoes" (Townes van Zandt)
8. "Just For A Moment" (Ronnie Wood & Ronnie Lane)
9. "Brave Awakening" (Terry Reid)
10. "Welcome Back" (John Sebastian)
11. "A Man Needs A Maid" (Neil Young)
12. "My Cricket" (Leon Russell)
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