‘Shadows And Reflections’ is the new album by Marc Almond released today by BMG. It features sumptuous arrangements of iconic torch songs and 60’s orchestral pop for which he is beloved, as well as two new original compositions. It’s the first album in an exclusive 3 year, 2 album deal with BMG. An album of original songs will follow in 2019.
The album ‘Shadows And Reflections’ sees Marc delve into the mood music of “orchestral and baroque pop songs with orchestrated arrangements and productions typical of the songs of that time”. The album includes covers of the Young Rascals (also made famous by David Cassidy) ‘How Can I Be Sure’, the gothic pop of The Herd ‘From The Underworld (“Peter Frampton is such a brilliant early songwriter and I thought The Herd had such an intense inventiveness), The Yardbirds‘Still Im Sad’ (“I’ve come from listening to a lot of blues based rock from the 60’s”) and Julie Driscoll’s ‘I Know You Love Me Not’ (“It is an incredible song that I have wanted to do for many years but only now found the context”). The title track ‘Shadows And Reflections’ is based on mod legends The Action’s version, whilst also featured is Burt Bacharach’s ‘Blue On Blue’ (“I sang this song with Burt at the London Palladium”), Bobby Darin’s ‘Not For Me’ and the Johnny Mandelstandard ‘The Shadow Of Your Smile’.
Marc Almond’s deep affection for brilliantly arranged 1960s pop has been prevalent throughout his career and has served him well. His versions of ‘Jacky’, ‘The Days Of Pearly Spencer’, ‘Tainted Love’, ‘Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart’, and ‘What!’ have become much treasured recordings from an artist who can take an old song and bring it new life with impeccable style. A look at Marc’s popular 60s Spotify playlists gives insight into the sounds and singers that he continues to be inspired by.
Marc Almond is an internationally acclaimed and successful artist. With a career spanning four decades and selling over 30 million records worldwide, it is safe to say the boy from Southport is hugely revered and continues to influence and shape a generation of musicians. 2017 cements the 60th Birthday year for the singer who the Observer noted, “has never stood still” and comes after the great success of the Top 10 album ‘Hits And Pieces’, which was followed by a sold-out Spring tour including a triumphant show at London’s Roundhouse.
Tracklisting
1. Overture
2. Shadows And Reflections
3. I’m Lost Without You
4. How Can I Be Sure
5. Something Bad On My Mind
6. Blue On Blue
7. I Know You Love Me Not
8. Interlude
9. From the Underworld
10. Still I’m Sad
11. Embers
12. Not For Me
13. All thoughts Of Time
14. The Shadow of Your Smile
15 No One To Say Good Night To