Post by Emerald City on Mar 31, 2006 18:28:23 GMT -5
:myjam:
Goin’ Home ‘Round Midnight—The Four Tops and The Simone Vitale Band at the Detroit Opera House
The Four Tops have collaborated with one of Detroit’s most popular groups, The Simone Vitale Band to create a new album of classic love songs. Both acts will come together on Tuesday, March 21st at The Detroit Opera House. This concert will showcase selections from the upcoming release, Goin’ Home ‘Round Midnight, along with the classic hits people have come to expect from the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame group The Four Tops.
From their earliest days on the road with jazz legend Billy Eckstine, The Tops have felt equally at home with classic American songbook tunes as with contemporary R ‘n’ B. “This CD is a two-year labor of love,” says founding member, Duke Fakir. “After 33 albums, we felt it was time we got back to our roots, singing American standard songs while adding our own personal touch.”
Simone Vitale and his band feel equally inspired by the music and the chance to work with The Four Tops: “Duke is the nicest man…unassuming…I feel so fortunate to work with The Tops…it is the thrill of my life!” says Vitale. The Simone Vitale band is known as the party band around Metro Detroit. They have performed for Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. You can also see them at the biggest and best events including the Hob Nobble Gobble Benefit Ball for the Thanksgiving Parade, the Ryder Cup, and other private corporate festivities.
This album is also very special because it is the last project of The Four Tops founding member, Renaldo “Obie” Benson. With Lawrence Payton, Levi Stubbs and Abdul “Duke” Fakir since 1954 when they first called themselves “The Four Aims,” Benson sang bass and is also known for writing “What’s Goin’ On.” His final performance will be honored by current Tops members, Duke Fakir, Theo Peoples, Lawrence Payton Jr. (son of founding member Lawrence Payton), and Ronnie McNair.
Well-loved songs such as “My One and Only Love,” “At Last,” and “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” are harmonized as only The Four Tops can with the musical backing of the Simone Vitale Band. Royce, Jennifer Christiansen and Bridgett Grace join The Four Tops, all sharing lead vocals. The album was produced by Simone Vitale, Lawrence Payton, Jr. and Dawn Chioni and orchestrated by noted Motown arrangers Paul Riser and Johnny Allen
