REBECCA FERGUSON REINTERPRETS THE BEST OF BILLIE HOLIDAY IN HER NEW ALBUM ‘LADY SINGS THE BLUES’, A BRAND NEW RECORDING MADE AT CAPITOL STUDIOS IN LOS ANGELES.
THE ALBUM WILL BE RELEASED ON RCA RECORDS ON MARCH 9, 2015 – BILLIE HOLIDAY’S CENTENARY YEAR.
THE FIRST SINGLE ‘GET HAPPY’ WILL BE AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD ON MARCH 2.
REBECCA WILL PLAY HER VERSION OF THESE ICONIC SONGS AT A SERIES OF INTIMATE LIVE SHOWS IN LONDON IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2015.
The amazing Rebecca Ferguson, whose voice has been compared to Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone and Dusty Springfield, has reached for the stars with her third album ‘Lady Sings the Blues’ which will be released on RCA Records on March 9.
The album is Rebecca’s interpretation of songs recorded by the legendary Billie Holiday, some of which featured on Holiday’s iconic record, itself titled ‘Lady Sings The Blues’. Holiday’s album and story led to the multi award winning film and record starring Diana Ross but Ferguson now brings her own experience and story to these classic songs for a new generation.
Rebecca wanted to record in a studio where Billie herself had recorded, so chose the famed Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, the legendary studio where many classic recordings were also made by artists including Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles and Ella Fitzgerald.
‘Lady Sings The Blues’ is produced by Troy Miller, who has previously worked with Amy Winehouse, Rumer, Laura Mvula, Dexys Midnight Runners, Chaka Khan and ‘Gershwin recomposed’.
The first single from the album ‘Get Happy’ is available to download from March 2. ‘Get Happy’ was recorded by Rebecca as part of the album sessions because she always loved the song and felt that it would fit well with the rest of her album. Reaction to it at a series of intimate showcases confirmed her view that it should be the first single from the album.
In February and March 2015 Rebecca will perform her brand new ‘Lady Sings The Blues’ in its entirety at a short series of intimate shows at St James Theatre in London.
Watch Rebecca record some of the album at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles here;
The shows at St. James Theatre will take place on:
FEB 16, 18, 20, 21
MARCH 19, 20, 21
Tickets, priced at £29 and £25 go on sale today, Tuesday January 13 at 1pm from the following outlets.
http://www.stjamestheatre.co.uk/
http://www.livenation.co.uk/artist/rebecca-ferguson-tickets
‘Lady Sings the Blues’ follows Rebecca’s amazing debut album ‘Heaven’ which sold over a million copies and received an ecstatic response from the media with The Times writing that it ‘scales the heights of ‘Dusty in Memphis’.’ Rebecca’s second album ‘Freedom’ saw the praise continue as she evolved into a bona fide superstar vocalist.
‘Lady Sings the Blues’ is released 100 years after Billie Holiday’s birth.
‘Get Happy’ will be released as the first single, available to download on March 2.
PRAISE FOR REBECCA FERGUSON:
‘Her talent is undeniable – her voice is smooth and soulful, like hot caramel poured over a bucket of ice cream’ – The Observer
‘Husky powerhouse vocal – she earned her standing ovation. Superb’ – The Times
‘Ferguson’s debut album is good enough to challenge Adele for chart supremacy with at least 3 ballads so understated and confident that they recall the heydays of both Mary J Blige and Macy Gray’ – Sunday Times
‘There is nothing about this record I don’t like’ – Daily Telegraph
‘Scales the heights of ‘Dusty in Memphis’ ‘ – The Times
‘A heartwarming journey from loss to fulfilment’ – The Independent, 4*
‘…genuine, solicitous, expression of uplifting sentiment’ – The Guardian, 4*
‘Rebecca Ferguson always was remarkable… the delivery is fabulously confident – powerful and gritty… ‘Freedom’ confirms her as a real find.’ – Mail On Sunday 4*