Capping a week of rave reviews from Rolling Stone, the L.A.
Times, Entertainment Weekly, NPR's First Listen, the N.Y. Daily News (cheering the
new album and crowning Darlene Love "part of the pop DNA") and
others, one of the most anticipated albums of this or any year – Introducing
Darlene Love is now available.
The Columbia Records/Wicked Cool release marks the first new
full-length album of original pop songs in 27 years from the renowned vocalist,
who has achieved legendary status for her enduring work with Phil Spector and
as one of the most prolific backup singers of all time. Now, with the spirited Love deservedly back
in center spotlight, the album is being welcomed to worldwide acclaim:
"Girl group royal takes back her throne," heralded Rolling Stone,
"Love comes at it like a wrecking ball, husky alto thrillingly
intact..."; "A stunning collection of vibrant, dramatic rock anthems
and R&B workouts...' wrote Entertainment Weekly; "Love singing at
maximum intensity..." noted the L.A. Times, with the above-mentioned NY
Daily News praising the album as a "'soaring work" and revealing that
"Love has lost none of her talents and has never sounded more
unsinkable." Electric Review proclaims, "if you're too young to have
experienced first-hand the excitement that came with hearing a new Darlene Love
song ache through the jukebox or car radio, Introducing Darlene Love will cast
you back to a place of innocence and faith, shepherding you back to a time when
people gathered in the misty fields, steadfastly holding to the belief that
music was about to change the world." Produced and arranged by
artist/producer/E Street Band great Stevie Van Zandt, it's more than apparent
that his heartfelt mission of re-introducing the irrepressible Love to the
world in all her vocal splendor has been affirmed as a rousing success.
Hailed as "a splashy victory lap" by NPR's First
Listen, the album is comprised of all new recordings and features
never-before-heard and classic songs from a superstar cast of songwriters eager
to join Van Zandt in honoring one of the seminal voices in music history. The Elvis Costello-penned first single
"Forbidden Nights" has also been embraced at radio and drawn raves,
with Costello and Bruce Springsteen contributing 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. Various before mentioned songs
have been championed across several channels at SiriusXM Radio with feature
interviews running throughout release week. NPR's First Listen also praised the
Van Zandt/Love chemistry on the album, citing the "dignity in Love's
vocals amplified by Van Zandt's grand but well-modulated arrangements."
The irresistible video for the first single "Forbidden
Nights" also premiered to an overwhelming response. The jubilant clip catches the charismatic
Love and pals cruising the beach sites of Asbury Park, N.J., and features
inventive cameos including Costello himself, as well as Joan Jett, Paul
Schaffer, Bill Murray, David Letterman, and hilarious glimpses of Van Zandt and
buddy Bruce Springsteen. Love and Van
Zandt and a stage-full of musicians also rocked Asbury Park's Paramount Theatre
live on September 12, reveling in a vibrant set of album selections kicking off
Introducing Darlene Love's release as well as delivering torrid renditions of
some of her back-classics. Two more
buzzed-about shows celebrating the album's release are on deck in L.A.'s famed
Whisky A Go Go with the first show kicking off tonight. Headliner Love and Little Steven &
Friends will be rocking the bill September 18 and 20.
The captivating Love is sure to bring her iconic vocal
rendering to the Whisky just as she does on the acclaimed new album. Songs on
Introducing Darlene Love include "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,
Love's five-decade career spans some of the greatest signature moments in
music. The Los Angeles native (Love
currently resides in New Jersey) nurtured 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.
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)
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