Tolucan
Times |
| Well, folks, I’m back after working on my documentary about the making of my album. It’s challenging because I’m covering songs written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards – only I’m featuring their love songs, not their usual hits! This will be out later this year! I still found time to attend a couple of “live” events. One was the CD release party for stylish cabaret artist Craig LaForest, hosted by great filmmaker James Cameron and his actress wife, Suzy. I think we have something in common because LaForest is covering the love songs of Richard and Karen Carpenter. Romance must be in the air. The cocktail party and mini-concert took place at Feinstein’s at the Cinegrill at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. LaForest just moved to Los Angeles from Sydney, Australia and has been working in Cabaret. He has always loved the music of the Carpenters and decided to record a musical salute to them. The CD is called Two Lives, The Songs of Richard and Karen Carpenter. A multitude of artists performed on the album, such as rhythm & blues powerhouse Peggi Blu, pop sensation Erin Hamilton, gospel great Howard McCrary and New Age pianist John Boswell. LaForest put his own stamp on such timeless classics as Close To You, Let Me Be The One, Sometimes, and Rainy Days and Mondays. He performed a selection of the tunes for the exclusive invite-only audience, and Peggi Blu even sang a duet with him on Hurting Each Other. Ace PR man Steve Moyer did a great job handling this small listening party. On his album liner notes, LaForest states that “This album is a Tribute to two of the greatest musical talents of all time – each song was performed by the sibling duo at some point during their successful career.” He obviously pleased Richard Carpenter himself who wrote “I admire your novel approach to the songs and wish you all the best with Two Lives and your career” – Richard Carpenter. |