On October 21st, legendary singer-songwriter Albert Hammond will release the 12-track In Symphony, a collection of his best-known tracks - plus a couple of surprises - re-recorded over five days at Abbey Road Studio.
With over 30 chart-topping hits and sales of 360 million records for himself as well as artists such as Leo Sayer, Diana Ross, The Hollies, Whitney Houston and Starship, it would be tempting for Albert to hang up the guitar and take it easy. But he’s still writing and gigging, and after one especially energetic televised live solo show in Berlin last year, label execs wanted to hear more from the London-born, Gibraltar-raised performer. “This is a record that’s not supposed to happen,” he laughs, “The BMG people came to see me after the show and said, ‘We want to do something.’ I said ‘Well, I don’t, unless I do my hits symphonically…’”
The next day Albert got a call. The CEO had requested a meeting in Los Angeles when Albert was back home in the US. “We had breakfast together,” he continues. “I told him my thoughts and he said, ‘Let’s do it.’ I went home and I was pinching myself. What record company today would give a 72-year-old man who’s written some great songs but isn’t a huge artist himself all this money to do this? My mother was right, somebody is looking out for me.”
After five decades, Albert’s greatest melodies have now been re-scored with ensemble arrangements alongside his signature powerhouse vocal and guitar. The man responsible: acclaimed US producer/arranger Rob Mathes (Sting, Carly Simon, Bruce Springsteen, The Three Tenors), using key virtuosi from several British orchestras, the Trinity Boys Choir and the much sought-after London Voices. Albert’s best-known compositions have been redefined alongside two Latin tracks to reflect his bilingual upbringing: Alejete (the Spanish version of Just Walk Away, his hit song for Celine Dion,) and 1912 Mexican light classical tune Estrellita. “My uncle recorded me singing this aged 8, when I was a choir boy,” Albert says, “We made a 78 record that we sold in Gibraltar. I kept it for I don’t know what reason… now we’re recording it, so I’m singing with myself!”
Primed for his live debut with a full orchestra – and eight-date German tour with the Leipzig Symphonic Orchestra from Oct 21- Oct 30 – In Symphony is the suitably grandiose sound of a lifetime of music made by the man who still can’t believe his luck in making a living from it. “I don’t think of money,” he says. “I think, ‘Oh great, I made all of those people happy!’”
‘In Symphony’ ’will be available on October 21st through BMG Records and a PIAS distribution.
Live
- 6/10: Ter Vesten, Beveren
- 7/10: Het Bolwerk, Vilvoorde
- 8/10: Stroming, Berlare
- 9/10: Wilderman, Herent