Sugar Queen is the new album from Belfast’s Brian Houston. Featuring 11 original songs and an impressive line up of participants; the album is being hailed as mature honest and emotionally captivating.Houston has been gigging non-stop around England since early 2003 and his hard work has paid dividends in the form of an engaging and dynamic live show as well as a strong group of friends willing to work to help him make a fantastic Album.Recorded in Liverpool and produced by Nigel Stonier, Sugar Queen highlights Houston’s exceptional song writing and vocal performance. Add to this the unrivalled skills of Robbie Mcintosh (Paul McCartney, Norah Jones, Pretenders) on lead guitars and Thea Gilmore on beautiful harmony vocals; this is an album worthy national attention.Sugar Queen has already received airplay on BBC Radio Two by venerated DJ Bob Harris and a live session with Janice Long broadcast generated the following quotation.The audience went mad after he did a live session on my show....Brian has great songs and delivers them with his unique voice. Cracking story teller too. Aled Jones show Good Morning Sunday has played many tracks from Brian’s catalogue and had two interviews and live sessions in 2007 with tremendous audience response.Bob Harris has been a fan of Brian for some time, playing his music frequently on his shows since 2003.
He also compiled the sleeve notes on the album with complements such as there is an underlying feeling of good about the music which I find inspiring and recently introduced Brian on his show as one of Britain’s great songwriters.
He also thought enough of this talented Belfast boy to invite him to sing and play his songs at his birthday party. The evening was rounded out by a surprise performance by Robert Plant when Brian got to jam along beside the rock legend.
Brian Houston’s next single is The Days of Pearly Spencer released 23rd July 07.
Pearly was first released in 1967 and the song is celebrating its 40th year anniversary. Originally it was written and recorded by Northern Ireland songwriter David McWilliams and most recently was a Top 5 single for 80’s legend Marc Almond.
Brian has recorded his version of this classic after making a promise to David's daughter at a tribute concert in Belfast last year. The single also includes David McWilliams grandchildren on backing vocals ! Brian Houston’s take on the song is dynamic, energetic and has got loads of attitude. The track has been specially re-mixed by producer Jeremy Wheatley - Keith Urban, Sugababes, Corrine Bailey Rae, James Blunt, U2 and he is currently locked in-studio with Jon Bon Jovi. The Days Of Pearly Spencer will be available to buy in record stores as a limited edition three track CD single, which includes the video, shot in Belfast.
The track will be on sale as a download from the iTunes store and all the other digital retailer s. Pearly has been added, as bonus track, to Brian Houston’s current, critically acclaimed and best selling album Sugar Queen - distributed in the UK and Ireland by Universal Music.