Strange bedfellows perhaps from first viewing…a boogie woogie piano man and a reflective Goth androgynist singer…not many bar jokes start that way. But Holland and Almond team up in the studio to create something distinctive and a new album results  Read on for all the info we have at this point…

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 Friday 23rd November 2018 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 is available to stream now.

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.’

‘A Lovely Life To Live’ Album Tracklisting:

1. Gipsy Rover
2. A Lovely Life To Live
3. It’s My Life Baby
4. I Lost My City
5. Workhouse Blues
6. London You Were My Lover
7. Hymne À L’Amour
8. Dirk Bogarde And Me (Take Tea)
9. On My Soul
10. Big Black Mercedes 600
11. How Deep Is The Ocean
12. Tainted Love
13. I’ll Take Care Of You
14. When The Saints Go Marching In

In support of their upcoming new album, Jools and Marc will kick off their autumn/winter UK tour this Saturday 20th October 2018 at Dublin’s 3Arena. Highlights include London’s Royal Albert Hall, along with arena shows in Aberdeen’s BHGE Arena, Leeds’ First Direct Arena, Brighton Centre and Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena.

A full list of dates, venues and ticket links can be found below.

Pete Sargeant