MARC ALMOND // Shadows And Reflections (release date September 22, 2017)

MARC ALMOND
Shadows And Reflections
BMG
22 September 2017MARC ALMOND ANNOUNCES SHADOWS AND REFLECTIONS - NEW ALBUM OF 1960’SORCHESTRAL BAROQUE POP AND TORCH SONGS OUT SEPTEMBER 22 VIA BMG & AVAILABLE NOW FOR PRE-ORDER
 “Almond continues to be the most multidimensional of artistes” -Mojo 
 Shadows And Reflections is the new album by Marc Almond, set for release September 22 via BMG. It features sumptuous arrangements of iconic torch songs and 1960s orchestral pop for which he is beloved, as well as two new original compositions. The album features songs written and recorded by artists such as Burt Bacharach, The Action, The Yardbirds, Bobby Darin, Julie Driscoll, Billy Fury, and the Young Rascals.

Marc Almond's Shadows And Reflections is the first album of an exclusive recording deal with BMG! An album of original songs will follow in 2019. Songs And Reflections is available now for pre-order, and includes the track "Not For Me," available for download and streaming. You can listen to the song below.
  Marc Almond - "Not For Me" (Official Audio)
 "The Overture," "Interval," and "No One To Say Goodnight To" set and frame the album's mood - composed and orchestrated by long-time collaborator John Harle. "It's a sea of lush strings, lilting guitar, choral harmonies, and full, panoramic sound. I wanted it to have the feel of a very late 1960s Italian cinema soundtrack," says Marc. "Everything stems from and returns back to that final track," with the album thematically beginning and ending in an apartment.

Marc continues, "It's about this guy that's living in a luxury, expansive, glass apartment overlooking the city, filled with sculpture and beautiful things, an empty soulless shell, surrounded by absurd wealth. He is sitting alone and I imagine listening to this music, possibly the songs that make up this album. He's rich in the bank but the poorest person you know."

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' "How Can I Be Sure" (also made famous by David Cassidy), The Herd's "From The Underworld," The Yardbirds' "Still I'm Sad," and Julie Driscoll's "I Know You Love Me Not." The title track "Shadows And Reflections" is based on the version by mod legends The Action, while also featured is Burt Bacharach’s "Blue On Blue," Bobby Darin's "Not For Me," and the Johnny Mandel standard "The Shadow Of Your Smile."

Marc explains: “I particularly like the strangeness of many of those 60’s records - the oddness about them, sometimes unsettling, out of the mould, that light psychedelia approach from the early Floyd records, Sgt Pepper and Soft Machine.”

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 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 continue to inspire him.

Marc has announced a new UK tour starting on October 3 at London's Royal Festival Hall, and across 18 dates he will perform with a full orchestra playing songs from Shadows And Reflections 

2017 cements the 60th Birthday year for the singer who Observer noted "has never stood still," and comes after 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.

Says Marc: “My audience may not be familiar with a lot of these songs, so I had to bear that in mind. Whereas if you're an afficionado and you know how brilliant you are, you'll see I've not re-invented them an awful lot because I thought the arrangements so good in the first place. These songs just need to be put out there again so people can hear them. Me singing them introduces the songs to a different audience and brings them out to the light."  Marc Almond - Shadows And ReflectionsTracklisting01. Overture02. Shadows And Reflections03. I’m Lost Without You04. How Can I Be Sure05. Something Bad On My Mind06. Blue On Blue07. I Know You Love Me Not08. Interlude09. From The Underworld10. Still I’m Sad11. Embers12. Not For Me13. All Thoughts Of Time14. The Shadow of Your Smile15. No One To Say Good Night To Available Now For Pre-Order 
UK Tour Dates
3 October – London Royal Festival Hall
5 October – Guildford G Live
9 October – Scunthorpe Bath Hall
10 October – Leeds Town Hall
12 October – Portsmouth Guildhall
14 October – Ipswich Regent Theatre
15 October – Oxford New Theatre
17 October – Birmingham Symphony Hall
19 October – Manchester Bridgewater Hall
20 October – Bristol Colston Hall
21 October – Cambridge Corn Exchange
23 October – Southend Cliffs Pavilion
26 October – Poole Lighthouse
30 October – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
31 October – Nottingham Concert Hall
3 November – Bridlington Spa
4 November – Newcastle Tyne Theatre
5 November – Edinburgh Usher Hall

Tickets     
For more information on Marc Almond:
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