"A Change Is Gonna Come"

http://www.youtube.com/wa...UrsMGf2Cqk


Seal Sings From His 'Soul' On New Album

October 01, 2008 , 11:30 AM ET

by Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

Exactly a year on the heels of his last album, Seal will unveil another new project Nov. 11 via Warner Bros. "Soul," as its name indicates, features the artist covering 11 vintage soul numbers with production from David Foster.

Among the material features is Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come," Otis Redding's "I've Been Loving You Too Long" and Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes' "If You Don't Know Me by Now."

"Someone once said, 'The album will sound like the time you had making it.' Never before has it been as true as in the process of recording this record," says Seal.

The artist's 2007 dance-dominated album "System" has been his lowest seller to date, having moved just 155,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The lone date on Seal's schedule at present is an Oct. 14 appearance at the Africa Rising benefit at London's Royal Albert Hall, alongside Christina Aguilera.


Here is the song list for "Soul":

"A Change Is Gonna Come" (Sam Cooke)
"I Can't Stand The Rain" (Ann Pebbles)
"It's A Man's Man's Man's World" (James Brown)
"Knock on Wood" (Eddie Floyd)
"I've Been Loving You Too Long" (Otis Redding
"Here I Am (Come And Take Me)" (Al Green)
"If You Don't Know Me By Now" (Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes)
"It's Alright" (the Impressions)
"I'm Still in Love With You" (Al Green)
"Free" (Deniece Williams)
"People Get Ready" (the Impressions)

Nick715 said:

Excellent, read about this the other day. I know people dont dig "covers" albums, but i think as long as the person doing it "respects" what they are covering and KNOWS the history and something about the performer they are covering (example: Rihanna not knowing who Soft Cell was, "uh they are the reason you have a hit") then its cool

^ I agree. I always wanted Mariah to do one, also Maxwell.

Oh well, guess I'll take what I can get.

why did the words "michael bolton" pop into my head?

Cool - always happy to hear about something new from Seal. Covers will be very cool to hear too! I can imagine this his bid to bounce back from his lowest ever sales from System. Man i didnt know it only sond 115K. Bummer I thought it was quite a strong effort and by revisiting his roots more people would get it. Guess not.

Regardless Seal is an amazing artist and humanitarian and I for one look forward to hearing his amazing voice once again. peace
[Edited 10/7/08 21:23pm]

.... ....

sometimes seal's covers r hit and miss ..fly like an eagle was a great cover but walk on by was a miss imo

L4OATheOriginal said:

What did you think of his take on "Lips Like Sugar". I liked it. The most carefree pop song I've ever heard him do (and the original is hardly that). Even the rap didn't hurt it (well, much).

2020 said:

I never bought "System" but was looking forward to it. I guess I was expecting something more like the remixes from his "IV" album and they the songs just didn't do it for me (and when I heard about a Hedi Klum duet, that probably really did it).

L4OATheOriginal said:

I didn´t know Fly like an Eagle was a cover. I love that song.

VinnyM27 said:

I bought "System" but I feel like you did...it just wasn't what I was hoping for. Honestly, I was really hoping he would have stayed in the direction that IV was (funk, pop, light music) but instead he did a 180 degree change, and made "System" While it may have been a "return" - beyond like 3 or 4 songs, I thought it was pretty weak. While I'm not thrilled about the track listing, or choice of producer, - I'll once again give Seal the benefit, simply because most of his past albums have been solid. And nobody can sing like Seal...nobody!

It's more believable than that 17 year old girl...

VinnyM27 said:

i didn't realize that was a cover tune

Damn.....I guess when u run out of original material, u do a covers album. The beginning of the end of a career.

L4OATheOriginal said:

Yeah. Echo and the Bunnymen. I'm not sure if it was a hugely commercial hit. but I seem to remember it being big.

I agree, Graycap. Cover albums tend to be throwing in the towel creatively. He's done covers before but an entire album of it and only soul tracks. Seems very limiting.

Graycap23 said:

Covers albums are depressing.I don't buy them anymore,they're pointless.Record labels convince "has-been" artists to make these predictable albums...

"You should do a covers album....look at how it rejuvenated Rod Stewart's career! Come on...we'll even help you pick the songs!"



In most cases,these types of albums aren't based on genuine artistic inspiration.It's just a cheap marketing gimmick (re-sell what's already been sold).These artists shouldn't fall into that trap.

Nick715 said:

C an anybody write songs anymore??? Man, I like thsi guys voice but I have all those songs by the originals so why would anyobne but a hardcore fan buy this???

nusouldownunder said:

I agree this project is totally pointless

^ Not really. I'm not a hardcore fan, I only own his "Greatest Hits" and "System" albums.

I like his voice though, so for $9.99 I would buy this.
[Edited 10/10/08 7:26am]

SoulAlive said:

I think the thing about cover albums is that they are lame when they have no real angel or orignality and totally insist on being a cover album.

Let me explain. Someone like Joe Cocker pretty much only does covers and his latest (or one of his latest....the last one I have) "Heart and Soul" is all covers but because he is so great at taking covers and making them his own, it's not a gimmick.

Now Cher's "It's A Man's World" is another great example. Back in the day when it was more common, Cher did quite a few covers (some of her early signature tunes are covers). But it's "It's A Man's World" is a bit different in the way it was all nearly covers with a sort of gimmick (only male songs...Tori Amos did the same thing years later) but the fact that not all of the songs were standards and that the music was heavily updated and modern made it seem a whole lot more refreshing than those Rod Stewart albums. Ironically, though, I think Cher's last ever recorded release to date is a duet with Stewart...for one of those albums. I really hope we geta new album from her soon.

SoulAlive said:

I think all the record companies really believe that an album like this will sell to more than just the base and but probably all they can reference is the Rod Stewart albums. Cyndi's didn't exactly catch fire. I doubt Jame Taylor's new one will be a huge seller....maybe even less than more recent studio albums. At least that one comes from somewhere. Taylor is famous for covers and apparently has been doing these songs live in his shows before.

I like Seal but his worst cover song that I know of is "Walk On By". It's not awful but it's just sort of bland. I believe this album will probably be 11 more of those type of uninspired ballads.

I’ve skipped over a few artists I liked because they’re last albums were covers. And if they’re covering songs I don’t care for or they're ballads, that’s even worse. They might as well have stayed gone.

I’ll check out Seal’s before I buy because I really like him but I’m not excited at the moment. I hate waiting for a new release and getting an entire album of pre-recorded stuff. Unless, like mentioned above, it’s a new spin on it or that artist really makes it their own. Other than that, I can go listen to the original if I care enough.