Paul Rodgers is sharing his cover of the Otis Redding classic, “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long”, as a preview of “The Royal Sessions”, a collection of classic R&B and soul songs redone by the Bad Company singer due in early 2014.
"I had been playing in groups since I was 13 or 14, and suddenly Otis' band became my ideal band," Rodgers tells Rolling Stone. "They played from a deeper place. The one thing I loved about blues and soul was the way they taught the world how to express such deep feelings. I was brought up in a fairly emotionally repressed kind of society in Northeast England where one didn't express emotions and was expected to keep a stiff upper lip. But I felt that the part of me that was born to be a singer needed to share these kinds of emotions, and through Otis, I found a much-yearned-for outlet for this."
Recorded at Memphis’ Royal Studios, historic home of Willie Mitchell and Hi Records, "The Royal Sessions" features Rodgers’ interpretations of songs by Otis Redding, Albert King and Ann Peebles, among others
Produced by Perry Margouleff, "The Royal Sessions" pairs Rodgers with an all-star roster of legendary musicians who played on the original hits dating back to the '60’s. The classic rhythm section includes Reverend Charles Hodges (Hammond B3), Michael Tolls (guitar), LeRoy Hodges Jr. (bass), “Hubby” Archie Turner (Wurlitzer), Steve Potts and James Robertson Sr. (drums), The Royal Horns and the Royal Singers.
For a full tracklisting, click here.
All of the proceeds from “The Royal Sessions” will be donated to local Memphis music education programs.
Special showcase performances by Paul Rogers with the musicians on “The Royal Sessions” will be announced.
“The Royal Sessions” can be pre-ordered via the Amazon link below and will be released worldwide on the following dates:
Jan 27 – Europe
Jan 28 – Canada
Jan 29 – Japan
Feb 04 – United States
Feb 07 – Australia
See also:
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