Burt Bacharach & Tonio K's Original Demos showcases the sublime work of legendary songwriter Burt Bacharach with his partner in crime, celebrated lyricist Tonio K.

Burt Bacharach is one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century with a songbook that reads like a soundtrack of our lives with timeless melodies including "The Look Of Love," "Alfie," "A House Is Not A Home," "What's New Pussycat," "I Say A Little Prayer," "Wishin' And Hopin," "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" and a myriad of others.  

Mr. Bacharach's collaboration with Tonio K started in the mid-nineties with "If I Should Lose You" which was recorded by revered American super-group, Chicago. That is also the first demo included on this collection. The album presents a batch of great compositions co-written by Mr. Bacharach and Señor K between 1995 and 2008. Although some of those songs were eventually recorded by important names including Diane Schuur, Ron Isley, Randy Crawford and Dionne Warwick, the real treat is to listen to the original demos crafted by Mr. Bacharach and Señor K with the help of award-winning producers Stephan Oberhoff, Ted Perlman and Steve Deutsch.  

Among the included fourteen songs are absolute gems like "Count On Me," a gorgeous ballad with top notch vocals courtesy of the amazing Bill Champlin of Chicago and Sons of Champlin fame. Another showstopper is “Never Take That Chance Again" with guest vocals by the late, extraordinary Warren Wiebe. Take a listen to the demo recording of "Go Ask Shakespeare” that Mr. Bacharach recorded for his Grammy Award winning cd, At This Time. The complex, spectacular melody had guest vocals by Rufus Wainwright, but the demo included on Burt Bacharach and Tonio K Original Demos features a lead vocal by none other than Burt Bacharach himself in a touching performance that will be a must-listen for any Bacharach fan.  

A jewel appearing on this special album is "Change My Mind," a soulful ballad sung by Billy Valentine of The Valentine Brothers fame. Mr. Valentine sings several other moments of Burt Bacharach and Tonio K's Original Demos including "Where Does Love Go," another heart-wrenching ballad with guests Dave Boruff on saxophone and Donna Taylor on the haunting harmony vocals. Ms.Taylor is a fixture of Mr. Bacharach's touring band as is John Pagano who beautifully sings "What Love Can Do," co-written by Mr. Bacharach and Señor K with legendary marvel Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys. An added highlight is Mr. Wilson singing the spectacular vocal harmonies on the song. Speaking of highlights, don't forget the superior composition of "Love's Still The Answer." Sung again by Billy Valentine, "Love's Still The Answer" is one of the most successful collaborations between Burt Bacharach and Tonio K with several renditions including those by Ron Isley, Dionne Warwick and Trijntje Oosterhuis.  

A special treat is the tune “Do You?” that pairs Mr. Bacharach with the late, renown Jerry Leiber of Leiber & Stoller fame. Leiber, Mike Stoller and Phil Spector co-wrote and/or produced some infamous songs including "Ruby Baby" for The Drifters, "Love Potion No. 9" for The Searchers, "Yakety Yak" for The Coasters, "Jailhouse Rock" and "Hound Dog" for Elvis Presley plus "Stand By Me" and "Spanish Harlem" for Ben E. King. "Do You?" is an ear-candy ditty that bears an infectious rhythm and delicious vocals by actress/singer Brittney Bertier.  

If you are looking for great songwriting, immortal melodies, smart tempos, great time changes or are a music lover, Burt Bacharach and Tonio K's Original Demos is the CD for you. The pure love of music can do great things and this collection is the perfect example.   

The release also features extensive liner notes from Tonio K. telling the detailed story behind each composition and demo session.



Released in a limited edition of only 1000 copies.

Thanks to Gabriel Raya - Contate y Sonante

Southern California Band Venice Uses Obama’s Future Palm Springs Neighborhood as Inspiration for New Album, “Into the Morning Blue”

“No, we didn’t actually stay at his house,” clarifies Venice’s guitarist/vocalist, and the album’s producer, Michael Lennon. “But it was pretty cool to be in the same gated community where the 44th president of the United States will be walking his dog in the near future.” Nestled on the side of the mountains, in a friend’s house, with panoramic views of the desert palm trees below, the four Lennons kept things within the family while writing songs for their upcoming release.

Kipp Lennon explains, “Usually we collaborate a bit more with outside writers, but this time, in the midst of the divided and uncertain state of our country, we reached inward and wrote 90% of all the new songs ourselves.” On the heels of their critically acclaimed covers album, “Brunch Buffet,” Venice was ready to speak from their own hearts again.

This is most evident in the two songs they wrote about the bittersweet experience of losing their fathers. The title track, “Into the Morning Blue,” recalls the day that brothers Mark and Michael Lennon lost their father. Mark recalls, “It was a surreal, beautiful fall morning in Venice, California, that brought some of the darkest news any child can hear: Our Dad was gone.” Mark and Michael’s cousins, Kipp and Pat Lennon (who are brothers to each other), shared a similar experience. As Pat explains, “and ‘Sunrise (August of ’69)’ is about the day after we lost OUR father, and the weeks and months of family healing that followed.”

But the album also shows the brighter side of Venice, with songs like, “A Dance by the River,” which tells the story of a night on the town in Budapest during the world tour of Roger Waters’ “The Wall,” a tour that Venice members proudly lent their vocal harmonies to. And “A Wealthy Man,” which speaks of the riches of real love with a spouse or with family members. The first single, “Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This,” is an uplifting anthem (with a hint of irony) about staying in the moment, and it was the first of all the new songs to be written.

One thing is for sure, that this new album is quintessential Venice, with their signature vocal harmonies layered over soulful tracks that seem to ooze Southern California sunshine. If you’re in need of some of that sunshine, then you owe it to yourself to check out “Into the Morning Blue,” on Lennon Records/M.A.R.S. Worldwide, when it’s released on April 14, 2017.

Welcome one and all to THE MISSION, STYX’s sonically sweet 16th studio album and its most ambitious, most challenging, and most rewarding release to date. Please take note of the official stardate, as THE MISSION has duly been set for liftoff June 16 on the band’s label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe.

Fans can pre-order the album at any of these online retail outlets and Styxworld.com.  

The first single, “Gone Gone Gone,” was released today at radio and online retail outlets. A video premiered on Billboard.com and can be seen here.  

“The planets truly aligned for THE MISSION, and I couldn’t be prouder,” says vocalist/guitarist Tommy Shaw, who co-wrote the album’s storyline with longtime collaborator Will Evankovich (Shaw/Blades, The Guess Who). “It’s our boldest, most emblematic album since PIECES OF EIGHT.”  

As founding guitarist James “JY” Young continues, “In the 40th anniversary year of our release of our biggest selling album of all time, GRAND ILLUSION, it just seemed truly appropriate to save our new studio album until this year. Needless to say, I’m very excited.”

READ MORE at Melodicrok.com