Dionne Warwick - Now
Dionne Warwick marks the 50th anniversary of the release of her first Billboard hit single ‘Don’t Make Me Over’ with the release of a special new album ‘Now’ which reunites her with the legendary creative team of Burt Bacharach, Hal David and Phil Ramone. ‘Now’ will be released on October 22nd on H&I Music Productions/Universal Music.
‘Now’ was recorded in New York City from March to May of this year with Phil Ramone, the engineer behind Warwick’s recordings, on production duties. The album features a selection of classic Warwick / Bacharach / David hits together with some of their finest lesser known songs from the past.
Perhaps most excitingly, the album also features three brand new songs in the shape of Bacharach’s ‘Is There Anybody Out There?’ and ‘Love Is Still The Answer’ as well as David’s ‘99 Miles From L.A.’.
In addition, the album features a new take on ‘I Say A Little Prayer’ which sees Warwick duet with her son David Elliott. ‘Now’ features a further family connection as Warwick’s other son Damon Elliott has mixed the album.
Warwick first started working with Bacharach when he was based at the renowned Brill Building and asked her to provide vocals for demo songs which he was recording to pitch to record labels.
When Warwick landed a record deal in her own right, Bacharach and David wrote and produced the majority of the songs on her 1963 debut album ‘Presenting Dionne Warwick’. The trio’s work together included many of Warwick’s most famous hits including ‘I Say A Little Prayer’, ‘Do You Know The Way To San Jose’, ‘Anyone Who Had A Heart’ and ‘Walk On By’.
Dionne Warwick has already marked her anniversary year with some style. In May, she hosted a very special all-star show at the Royal Albert Hall to mark World Hunger Day 2012 which benefited the international development charity The Hunger Project.
The bill featured special guests including Sir Cliff Richard, Alexandra Burke, Boy George and Rumer. That same week saw Warwick receive a standing ovation when she was honoured with the prestigious Icon award at Glamour’s Women of the Year ceremony.
The anniversary year will continue with the release of a documentary about Dionne Warwick’s music and life which features contributions from Barry Manilow, Gladys Knight, Bette Midler and many more, as well as a planned UK tour for later this year.
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