Whether with his rich solo catalog or during his time with the iconic Soft Cell, Marc Almond has always talentedly introduced songs (some lesser known, others a little forgotten by time) to new audiences. He follows this with the release of his new album 'I'm Not Everyone' on July 12, 2024.
Marc says, “I always approach curating a covers album with great joy, since it means approximately a year listening to songs, old and new, making lists from which I add or remove songs and in the process I discover, or rediscover, half of they. -forgotten gems. Now living in Portugal, I have found time not only to reflect on my life but also to rediscover my love for music and songs. A great song can never die and must always find new life and a new audience.
I finally arrived at a selection of songs that express where I am today in my life and how I feel about the world and my place in it. These aren't particularly narrative songs (although for me, the lyrics always come first), but this time more than ever I've focused on how a song makes me feel and the emotional resonance it contains: reflective songs for an older artist, such time.
I don't change a song too much, or move it too far away from why I like it. There is too much emphasis on reinvention. I like to think I'm presenting a song in a new light to my audience who may not have heard it before or considered it until they heard me sing it. Then they can re-evaluate it.
There is an underlying spiritual and esoteric feeling to this album, a thread that runs through it: deeply elemental references, a nod to my interest in things druid and pagan and reflecting how many of us feel in this world that it is going through changes. and not all well.
I could go through the album song by song, but that takes away the joy of listening to it, and for me it's all about the overall feel. Sometimes I'm not even sure why I choose one song over another, it's just a feeling and something in the moment. A decision has to be made and the discipline of track limitation means that sometimes I have to follow what I feel that day when I commit. I always hope the choices are right, but the album is what it ultimately is and I live with it.”
The album 'I'm Not Everyone' draws on different genres, from psychedelic and progressive rock to folk, gospel and soul. From Blue Cheer's 'I'm The Light' to Neil Diamond's 'Lonely Looking Sky' (by Jonathan Livingston Seagull), a musical journey that includes King Crimson, Marmalade, Rita & The Tiaras and Johnny Rivers, all with a sparkle orchestral rock. from producer and multi-instrumentalist Mike Stevens who, with a small team made a mature album with a young heart.
The first taste of the album comes in the form of a sublime version of Bob Lind's esoteric 1965 folk classic, 'Elusive Butterfly'. With its timeless themes of the beauty of nature, the transitory nature of life and the elusiveness of love, Marc's version follows in the tradition of previous interpretations of the song by artists such as Aretha Franklin, The Four Tops, Cher and Dolly Parton. .
Listen to 'Elusive Butterfly' – BELOW:
The title track, 'I'm Not Everyone' by Paul Anka, is the centerpiece of the album, a passionate and emotional ballad about defiance and pride with Marc's signature emotional drama. Then there's the powerful 'Chain Lightning' by Don McLean who runs the gamut of emotions about the nature of the earth and life, love, anger, pain and rebirth. All the songs connect emotionally with Marc and say something about his life. He also duets on two songs with Bryan Chambers, notably reworking Mahalia Jackson's powerful gospel lament 'Trouble of the World' into a moving anthem for peace and resolution.
Marc adds: “I can't just sing any song; I have to feel that if I could, I would have written it myself… it's just that someone else said it first and much better than me.”
2024 marks the anniversary of Marc Almond's 45th year in music and a career of impressive diversity that includes hit pop, avant-garde electronica, torch songs, orchestral ballads, French chansons, historical song cycles, jazz, flamenco, Russian folk and much more. He will follow the album's release with a major UK tour in September, including a date at the London Coliseum. In the spirit of the new album, the concert tour will consist solely of cover songs, with the UK shows followed by selected European dates. He will also tour as a special guest of Jools Holland from late October until Christmas, including two shows in London at the Royal Albert Hall on November 29 and 30.
Fans who book 'I'm nobody' HERE will receive access to a ticket pre-sale, which opens at 9am in Thursday, March 21st. It will remain active until the remaining tickets go on general sale. HERE from 9 am in Tuesday March 26. Marc Almond The main tour dates are:
SEPTEMBER
8th – Leeds, Grand Theater
9th – London, Colosseum
11 – Brighton, Dome
14 – Manchester, Bridgewater Hall
15 – Gateshead, Glasshouse Sage International Music Center 1
16 – Birmingham, Symphony Hall
18 – Bristol, Lighthouse
21 – Edinburgh, Usher Hall
22 – New Brighton, Floral Pavilion Theater
'I'm Not Everyone' track listing and original recordings by Marc:
1. 'I'm The Light' (originally by Blue Cheer)
2. 'Reflections of my life' (Marmalade)
3. 'Gone with the Wind (is my love)' (Rita & The Tiaras/Gloria Jones)
4. 'I speak with the wind' (King Crimson)
5. 'Elusive Butterfly' (Bob Lind)
6. 'I'm Nobody' (Paul Anka / Sammy Davis Jr.)
7. 'Smoking Day' (Colin Blunstone)
8. 'The problem with the world' (Mahalia Jackson)
9. 'Look into your soul' (Johnny Rivers)
10. 'Chain Lightning' (Don McLean)
11. 'Lonely Sky' (Neil Diamond)
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