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Diana Ross is a global entertainment icon,
a legendary musical treasure whose music has, for decades,
inspired romance, happiness and joy. For her new studio
album, Ms. Ross has drawn inspiration from romantic songs
that have touched her heart through the years, and she
has dedicated the album to this most powerful universal
emotion: love. I Love You presents 14 songs personally
selected for the album by Diana Ross in appreciation of
their timeless, classic expressions of love and romance,
including a brand new song, "I Love You (That's All
That Really Matters)," a gentle ballad that captures
the emotion of romance.
The CD's package includes stunning photos by Herb Ritts,
Randee St. Nicholas and Douglas Kirkland and a letter
to fans from Ms. Ross, who executive produced I Love You.
The package also contains notes from the album's co-executive
producer, Marylata E. Jacob, a Grammy-nominated music
supervisor and producer whose professional relationship
with Ms. Ross spans 22 years, Peter Asher, who produced
nine of the album's tracks, and who has collaborated with
Ms. Ross on many of her most cherished recordings, and
the producer of five of the album's tracks, Steve Tyrell,
who has produced many recordings with Ms. Ross, including
"Big Bad Love" with Ray Charles, and in 2005
produced her duet with Rod Stewart, "I've Got A Crush
On You," the lead single from Stewart's Thanks For
The Memory: The Great American Songbook I. I Love You's
deluxe edition adds a DVD with a photo gallery and an
exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the
new album.
Beginning and closing with Harry Nilsson's "Remember,"
the song that inspired Ms. Ross' vision for her new album,
I Love You takes the listener on a vibrant journey through
many of music's most timeless and recognizable affirmations
of love. All of the songs chosen for the album are important
and meaningful to Ms. Ross, from the sweet bounce of "More
Today Than Yesterday," to the sultry allure of "I
Want You," a song first recorded by Marvin Gaye that
was co-written by Ms. Ross' brother, T-Boy Ross.
"We wanted to create the quintessential
album to be played at celebrations of love and life: weddings,
family gatherings, intimate moments," explains Marylata
Jacob. "I Love You is Diana's personal offering to
honor these celebrations of love, from the glance of your
first true love, through the joy of children, and love
everlasting."
Recorded at multiple studios in Southern
California, New York and London, I Love You features soaring
orchestral arrangements to accompany the broad range and
sensitivity of Ms. Ross' vocals, one of the world's most
cherished musical instruments. The best players and singers
from Los Angeles, New York and London were involved with
the new album, and Ms. Ross attended every session, from
the initial demos to tracking, overdubs and mixing.
"When I was in the studio, sharing these songs, I
was filled with strong emotion," says Ms. Ross. "These
songs, these singers, these musicians and all my fans
are a gift of love to me."
Says Peter Asher, who returns to working
with Diana having produced her 1991 hit album, The Force
Behind The Power, "I am proud that not only have
Diana and I remained friends for 41 years, but that I
have again been given the opportunity to work with her
extraordinary voice in the studio. Her contribution in
the studio was very significant, above and beyond her
singing - itself seemingly unchanged by the passing years
in its emotional intensity and brilliance, yet having
gained a certain wisdom and clarity that makes you believe
every word she sings. On this record she tells us an eternal
story, and does so with ineffable brilliance and accuracy."
The Songs:
"Remember" by Harry Nilsson
inspired the album and its concept as Ms. Ross listened
to it while reminiscing over her family's photo albums.
Its dreaminess conjures up memories of love and present
feelings. Ms. Ross feels a connection to Nilsson's work,
as she has often performed songs from Nilsson's acclaimed
musical, "The Point," in concert.
"More Today Than Yesterday"
is a classic first performed by Spiral Starecase in the
mid-1960s. Destined to be an audience favorite at Ms.
Ross' concerts, the song is also one of her favorites.
Ms. Ross' fun and bouncy new recording of the song is
an inspired tribute to the joy of everlasting love.
"I Want You," first recorded
by Marvin Gaye in 1974, was co-written by Ms. Ross' beloved
brother, T-Boy Ross, with Leon Ware. Ms. Ross delivers
a smoldering, sultry take on this track that honors the
original while making it wholly her own.
"I Love You (That's All That Really
Matters)" is a new original song, a gorgeous,
heartfelt ballad. The writer, Fred White, has been touring
with Ms. Ross as a back-up singer for six years. His experience
of her live persona and vocal range inspired this song,
written specifically with Ms. Ross in mind. Ms. Ross fell
in love with the song, saying, "To be loved for who
you are is the deepest expression of the purest love,
wholly selfless and spiritual."
"What About Love" was written
for Oprah Winfrey's stage production of "The Color
Purple." The composers are Brenda Russell, Allee
Willis and Stephen Bray. Ms. Ross' relationship with Brenda
Russell and her great friendship with Oprah inspired Ross'
interest in the soundtrack, and she selected this powerful
and moving song of love.
"The Look of Love" - Ms.
Ross captures all of its romance and anticipation. This
classic song was written by two of the finest song writers
of all time, Hal David and Burt Bacharach.
"Lovely Day" has a groove
and a simple lyric that has universal appeal. "This
song makes me dance," Ms. Ross says. "Everyone
wants a lovely day." Written by Bill Withers.
"Take My Breath Away" is
the decade's quintessential love song. Ms. Ross adds her
own signature style to it with her new recording. The
original recording is by Berlin.
"Only You" - A new version
decidedly Ms. Ross. Growing up in Detroit, listening to
records while slow dancing under a single source of light
was as close to heaven as it could get for Diana Ross,
her own personal experience of young love.
"To Be Loved" was written
by the legendary Berry Gordy, Jr. and was originally recorded
by Jackie Wilson in 1958. It is the ultimate declaration
of love, and Ms. Ross deftly balances the emotion of the
song's sensitive lyrics with an upbeat and boundless delivery.
"I Will" - Paul McCartney's
simplicity of lyric and song melody made it a welcomed
song for the heart of I Love You. Ms. Ross' sweet vocals
and Peter Asher's long history with the Beatles brought
a lovely perspective of range and depth to the new recording.
"This Magic Moment," originally
recorded by the Drifters, is made brand new with Ms. Ross'
rendition. With its calypso-leaning arrangement and backing
vocals, Ms. Ross' new version really pops.
"You Are So Beautiful" -
The song was chosen for its universal message of love
and kindness. "It reaches out and speaks not only
to lovers, but to relationships of all kinds, mother to
child, child to grandparent, sister to sister, friend
to friend," says Ms. Ross.
"Always And Forever" was
written by famed songwriter Rod Temperton and originally
recorded by Heatwave. Ms. Ross brings her brilliant sensitivity
and gorgeous vocal delivery to the timeless love song
for a magical contemporary classic.
Closing the new album's romantic journey
is a reprise of the song that started it all, "Remember."
"We must remember love in the past,
nurture it in the present, and dream of it in the future,"
says Ms. Ross.
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