Musical maestro Jools Holland has teamed up with international artist Marc Almond to release a joint album this autumn. ‘A Lovely Life To Live’ will be released on 23 November through Warner Music Entertainment and will be available on CD, digital download and to stream.
The first single A Lovely Life To Live will be available as a download for anyone pre-ordering the digital album and will also be available to stream from 15 October.
This album has been more than ten years in the making, with Jools and Marc having toured together periodically since 2006. ‘A Lovely Live To Live’ showcases the brilliant live sound and musicianship between Jools, Marc and the well-renowned Rhythm & Blues Orchestra when they perform together on stage as one ensemble.
The 14-track album is a fantastic collection of both brand new, original tracks written by Jools and Marc as well as their big band interpretations of a wide range of songs. Highlights include Marc and Soft Cell’s iconic Tainted Love, Edith Piaf’s Hymne À L’amour, Irving Berlin’s How Deep Is The Ocean as well as two Bobby “Blue” Bland songs – It’s My Life Baby and I’ll Take Care Of You.
Jools and Marc have worked collaboratively to write the majority of the album. This includes an inspired trio of songs that are all about the pair’s adoration and relationship with London – I Lost My City, Workhouse Blues and London You Were My Lover.
Jools Holland said of the album: “Over the last few years, Marc has toured with my orchestra giving amazing performances. I’m so delighted that we’ve now been given the opportunity to capture this on record. It brings out, I hope, what is the best of both of us.”
Marc Almond said: “If this record were to be a movie, it’d be a black and white movie of the late 50s or 60s set in London and starring Dirk Bogarde (with maybe a brief visit to Paris where we’d meet Deneuve and Delon in a smoky bar)! Jools and I have a performing history that stretches back many years now and at last we can bring our joint love of Bogarde, London, Vintage Cars, afternoon tea and the blues to a record. With Jools and the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, it’s always a lovely life.’
In support of their upcoming new album, Jools and Marc will kick off their autumn/winter UK tour this Saturday 20 October at Dublin’s 3Arena.
‘A Lovely Life To Live’ will be released on Friday 23 November through Warner Music Entertainment and will be available on all CD and digital formats.
Friday 21 December Manchester O2 Apollo
www.ticketmaster.co.uk,www.joolsholland.com,www.marcalmond.co.uk
