CD/DVD Releases: Glenn Hughes' Music For The Divine Receives US Release On January 30
Glenn Hughes, whose vocal talents have earned the singer the title of "the voice of rock," has entered the newest phased of his storied career with Music For The Divine, the vocalist/musician's latest collaboration with drummer Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers).
Set for release January 30 in America on Demolition Records, Music For The Divine is a testament to Hughes' versatility and ability to grow.
"I had bought a 1955 Martin acoustic and I hadn't written on acoustic in a long time," said Hughes.
"This Is How I Feel," "This House," "Frail," "The Divine," and "Valiant Denial" were all the product of Hughes' acoustic experimentation, but Hughes was also writing with the idea that he wanted to create an album that could be scored with strings.
"He's not stuck in the past," Smith said. "It's modern, new music. This album represents the full spectrum of Glenn's music and it's a great statement about where he's at now. It's very honest."
With the love of funk seeded deeply in his soul, Hughes underlined each song with its own funky style. Smith, Hughes' partner in crime in recent years, acted as a sounding board for Hughes' demos before the musicians came together with longtime guitarist JJ Marsh to flesh out the tracks. The trio, along with help from Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante and Mark Kilian on keys and string arrangements, recorded Music For The Divine live at Smith's Hollywood Hills home.
"I don?t think I can ever go back to recording any other way," Hughes said. "Chad is an amazing arranger and he is the most musical drummer that I have ever worked with, and remember that I have worked with some of the greatest drummers."
The Hughes/Smith musical relationship dates back to the NAMM show in 2002, where one of Smith's sponsors, Sabian, heard about Hughes' show and suggested that the duo would be a "match made in rhythm heaven." Smith, who had been a big fan of Hughes' work in Deep Purple decades before, gladly accepted the offer.
"Chad came down to my rehearsal and we clicked immediately," said Hughes. "He sat in on half of my set at the show and has been my wife ever since!"
"We played the show and it was fantastic," Smith said. "We hit it off immediately, musically and personally. He comes from a very similar background ? soul, funk. It's a really fun working relationship. Really, it's just fun playing. I think Glenn is the best singer of his generation. He gets better and stronger. It's amazing what a gift he has."
"I am extremely grateful that I have been given the gift to be a songwriter," Hughes said. "It is like a tap has been switched on and it is continually flowing. It has been like this for about three or four years, and I am humbled by it and I don?t take it for granted."
[Source: Mazur PR]
